If you're in charge - if you're responsible for it - own it.

That was Romney's message Wednesday, referring to the President, his economic policies - and a recovery that now seems to be going backwards.

"The American people are tired of politicians who make excuses instead of taking responsibility," said Mitt Romney,presidential candidate.

That's Mitt Romney in D.C. Wednesday, aiming squarely at President Obama.

Both are in Ohio today.

"My own view is that he will speak eloquently, but that words are cheap, and that the record of an individual is the basis upon which you determine whether they should continue to hold on to their job," said Romney.

Four years ago, the president won Ohio by 4.5 %, primarily by winning big cities like Cleveland, where today the white house says he'll draw clear distinctions.

"The other side's plan is a five trillion dollar tax cut that explodes the deficit while gutting the investments we need to grow," said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.

The last two polls in Ohio give Romney a slight edge.

But the President may be less vulnerable here on jobs.

Ohio's unemployment rate is 7.4%, less than the national average.

"I want to make sure the next generation of high tech manufacturing takes root in Baltimore and Cleveland and Pittsburgh," said President Barack Obama.

Meantime, his administration's clarifying: no more tax cuts - not even temporary - for America's wealthy.

"We need to take advantage of the incentive created by the sequester and the expiring tax cuts to force this town to confront and take on the things that divide us now," said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.

There's definitely division over what to do about those expiring tax cuts. Even some Democrats have suggested another temporary extension for everyone.

NBC