In Ohio, Biden continues attack on Romney's time at Bain

Vice President Joe Biden speaks at M-7 Technologies, May 16, 2012, in Youngstown, Ohio.

/ AP Photo/Tony Dejak

(CBS News) Youngstown, Ohio -- Kicking off his first of two economy-focused campaign events in Ohio on Wednesday, Vice President Joe Biden continued the Obama campaign's attack against Mitt Romney's experience in the private sector at Bain Capital.

Biden told the story of Randy Johnson, who used to work at Ampad, a paper plant in Marion, Indiana, that was acquired in 1994 by a company owned by Bain and became SCM Office Supplies.

"The workers were fired, including Randy, and told they could reapply for their jobs but the wages would be lower, health benefits would be less," Biden said, speaking about Johnson, who introduced the vice president. "Then a year later they shut the plant down -- everyone lost their jobs."

"They brought in security guards. They fired us all," Johnson said, as he shared his story to the crowd. "They walked us out of the building."

Johnson said he and some of the other employees who were hired back eventually held picket lines in protest to cuts in their pay and benefits. The factory was later closed.

Johnson currently works for United Steelworkers in Pennsylvania.

A Romney spokesman at the event talked to the press afterwards and dismissed Johnson as a liberal union activist.

"It is not surprising that liberal special interests groups would attack Governor Romney," Romney spokesman Ryan Williams said. "Look, Governor Romney is proud of his business record. We are willing to stack up Governor Romney's record with the private sector and as governor of Massachusetts against Barack Obama's failed economic policies and his disappointing performance in office."

During his speech, Biden cited President Obama's past years in office as a positive for the country and contrasted it with Romney's record.

"Laying on debt, laying off workers, doing what is good for those at top while everyone else fends for themselves?" Biden said. "We can't afford that in the nation."

Biden's event was held at M7 technologies, a manufacturing company who says their business is growing 40 percent each year. The next stop for the vice president will be on Thursday in Martins Ferry, Ohio.

[bassinapple]

VP Biden becomes incoherent and CBS yawns? Biden:"they just dont get us". Who is they?

[stormerF69]

SO tell me where Romney has done any thing Illegal in his financial dealings? Anything Romney has done that millions of other Actors,Politicans,Wealthy enterprenuers have not done?

[92F150]

For investors who had ownership in Bain, they'd agree with Mitt's accomplishments of increasing profit. For the regular folk whose plant or office was bought by Bain, they'd agree with Joe. My observation is that in the end, none of Mitt's Bain acquisitions maintain that level of growth long term. The venture capitalist strategy is to continuously have multiple acquisitions to merge and cut operations because only a few will materialize into a profitable bet from the slashing method. It is not an exact science. Some CEO's believe in this type of slash, cash and dash method while few others seek sustainable, long-term growth. I agree that Mitt-like CEO's are probably very proud of their method of leadership but I don't agree that is an accomplishment to be proud of.

[David_Tampa]

If we had done it HIS way...there would be no 2012 Corvette, Silverado, Impala, Camaro, or Chevy Volt. AND all of the brilliant poor who are supporting this snake of snakes.... THERE WOULD BE NO 2012 NASCAR SEASON. There is no racing in this country without General Motors.

So just go ahead and support this guy over guns, gays, and war. Hope you enjoy your civil war. Because that is exactly what the right will do when they have nobody to blame but themselves.

[stormerF69]

Not true David, GM when through Bankruptcy after Obama bailed out the Union Pension plan,for 86 Billion dollars that we have yet to be paid back,go ahead and fact check it. You assume no other company would have stepped up and taken over GM,by the way why are we subsidizing NASCAR Tracks anyway?

[David_Tampa]

Many of you are really showing your youthful ignorance. Look at Fuqua Industries, Beatrice Foods, Hughes Industries, LTV, and the list of millions of lost jobs goes on. We had a tax rate to prevent this greed as we knew from the 1920's that wealthy Americans had no honor. When the Reaganites with their trickle down theory came along the transfer of our money to a few became reality.
To stop this madness we must make it very difficult for any family to amass more than 2 million dollars a year. In the past and in the future, this tax rate can keep us out of trouble, while the entrepreneurs can still live very well. All income over three million dollars per year shall be taxed at 77%. If Lottery winnings are exempt, all of the poor who now support the wealthy on this issue, will never again.

[Robert_In_Texas]

"Laying on debt, laying off workers, doing what is good for those at top while everyone else fends for themselves". Sounds more like what Biden was doing in the legislature. He's just upset he couldn't make money like the rest of the boys and girls on the Hill.

[Howling_Drunky]

Biden is such an assclown. Please pray for President Obama. I fear for our country if an idiot like Biden is called on to take command of our country.

[stormerF69]

You must be joking? A president and Vice President that never created or saved a job with out tax dollars,attacking someone who has ran a business and hired and fired people to keep a company afloat? Can anyone tell me of a job Biden or Obama has created or saved without tax money??

[David_Tampa]

When Bain Capitol does anything with investment capitol it is subsidized capitol. When Mr Romney takes his profits offshore to avoid taxes it is our money.There are 21 million government jobs in this country. From the POTUS down to a township supervisor some where in Michigan. 21 million great paying jobs with great benefits. Lay 'em off, fire them, and see what happens when your neighbors and relatives loose their jobs.

[stormerF69]

So David tell me where Romney broke any of the laws the Democratic politicans passed? just one thing Romeny has done that millions of other rich people,Actors,Politicans,Business men,Or wealthy entrepneurs have not done legally in the past?