President Obama’s campaign swing through northwest Ohio late last week was likely the first of many visits that he and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, will make to this region before Election Day. …

Local voters want to hear the candidates talk about issues ranging from the future of Obamacare to the strength of the economic recovery to the health of Lake Erie. But nothing is more likely to engage them than the question of which candidate will do more to help create jobs, especially manufacturing jobs, in the region. …

Obama told northwest Ohioans — again — that much of the region’s economic comeback is attributable to his advocacy of the federal bailout of General Motors and Chrysler after the automakers declared bankruptcy in 2009. … Romney, who grew up in Michigan, continues to criticize the bailout. …

Romney insists that his business experience demonstrates his ability to expand economic growth, investment, and creation of manufacturing jobs in this country. He vows to be tougher on China than Obama. …

When they return to northwest Ohio, it would help if both candidates went beyond exchanging slogans and attaching demeaning labels to each other, and offered comprehensive proposals for job creation.

Even so, the differences between the president and Romney on the issue are becoming clearer.

The (Toledo) Blade