WEST LEBANON, N.H. -
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney left a secluded West Windsor, Vermont estate to visit a hardware store in nearby West Lebanon, New Hampshire Wednesday.
Romney spent an hour at LaValley Building Supply, where he met with a small group and conducted several television interviews. He used the time to attack President Obama's handling of the economy.
"I don't think the American people want to see this president get another four years," says Romney. "The last four years have not been good for middle class of America. There's no question but that his policies have led to more people falling out of the middle class into poverty. More people in poverty, one out of six. A record number of people on food stamps --- forty-seven million."
Romney has been staying at an estate in West Windsor as he prepares for the fall debates. There had been a lot of talk about whether Romney would make any appearances in Vermont.
Not a lot of people were able to meet Romney at stops at the hardware store and a West Lebanon pizza restaurant. One of the LaValley employees who was able to meet him was store manager Bob Jackman.
"It was very interesting because up close and personal is very different than seeing somebody on TV," says Jackman.
Jackman says he isn't sure why Romney's staff picked LaValley for the interviews and he says the store itself remains neutral in the presidential race.
The reason why Romney chose a hardware store in New Hampshire might have to do with the election. The state is seen as a toss up and both Romney and the president will campaign there Friday.
Vermont is expected to go for President Obama.
