Barack Obama banked on voter enthusiasm in the critical swing state of Ohio to serve as a powerful backdrop for the launch of his reelection campaign…

“Four years after ‘Obamamania’ swept college campuses and across the country, we will get a glimpse of what the phenomenon looks like the second time around. The Obama campaign expects overflow crowds at both OSU and VCU as part of carefully orchestrated optics.”

(Devin Dwyer “Obama Hits the Campaign Trail: 5 Things to Watch” ABC News 5/5/12)

However the struggling president’s campaign fell well short of achieving the magic of his 2008 campaign…

“If the carefully choreographed kick off was any indication, Obama will face some challenges in recapturing the 2008 magic — especially among young voters who weathered three years of souring job prospects and rising college costs.”

(Glenn Thrush “Obama Kickoff: Hope, Change and Mitt” Politico 5/5/12)

“The event fell short of the 20,000 supporters the campaign had forecast as organizers moved people from seats to the arena floor in front of the dais to project fullness to television audiences. Obama volunteers had worked feverishly over the last week to gin up a crowd, making multiple calls to residents believed to be supportive of the president.  Twitter was abuzz with photos and comments about vast areas of empty seats in the arena’s upper deck.”

(Joe Hallett “Obama Launches Reelection Campaign at Ohio State” Columbus Dispatch 5/5/12)

Embarassingly for President Obama & his campaign, reporters at the event began tweeting about the empty seats

Three-and-a-half years after running on hope and change, Barack Obama predictably kicked off his campaign with more divisive rhetoric and showed us he really is running on hype and blame.  President Obama's policies have forced young Ohioans and families to cope with soaring prices at the pump, increased tuition, and more expensive health care.  By his own standards, Barack Obama has failed to change Washington, and unlike 2008, he will have to answer for his failed record in November.