Obama’s ‘economic patriotism’ attack on Romney

Expect to hear Barack Obama talking about ‘economic patriotism’ in tomorrow’s first Presidential debates. The idea is a simple one: that American’s should keep their money within the United States, place their deposits in American banks, and pay the full measure of their taxes.

It’s providing an effective way to undermine Romney’s complex financial arrangements which place much of his money in offshore tax havens. By doing so, Obama claims, he is proving himself a poor patriot.

In a new campaign advert, the President argues:

‘It’s time for a new economic patriotism, rooted in the belief that growing our economy begins with a strong, thriving middle class.’

Its subtlety is devastating and reinforces the view that Romney is out of touch with struggling and squeezed voters.

In key swing states the momentum is moving away from him. Polls conducted by the Washington Post show the President with an eight point lead in Ohio and four points in Florida among likely voters.