President Barack Obama and Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney are offering dueling speeches about how to fix the economy. They will frame in their most direct terms the fierce debate that will decide the November election.

In a flash of campaign drama, the two will give their major speeches Thursday at nearly the same time from the same state, battleground Ohio.

For the president, the goal is to get above the daily ups and downs and pull the American people into the discussion Obama wants: a choice between his economic ideas and Romney's.

For Romney, the occasion is about offering definition to a divided public about how he would lead the economy, including the priorities for his first 100 days in office.

Ohio is vital to both men.