(Video) Romney in Cedar Rapids: 'Obama Campaign is Slipping;' President's 8-State Tour Begins in Iowa

Mitt Romney said Wednesday in Cedar Rapids that the presidential debates have propelled his campaign forward and diminished President Barack Obama's push for four more years.

The former Massachusetts governor and GOP nominee for president was in Iowa the same day as President Barack Obama, though in different parts of the state and hours apart.

The visits by both candidates -- and the brevity of them -- underscored how close the race is, with national polls showing them virtually tied. Obama spoke for less than 20 minutes in Davenport. Romney exited his plane flanked by Gov. Terry Branstad and Sen. Charles Grassley, gave his speech, shook some hands and hopped back on the plane.

Speaking in an airport hanger with the aircraft branded "Believe in America" waiting outside the open door, Romney said he has a path for balancing the budget, growing jobs and putting money back in the private sector.

"The president has no proposal to get this economy going and we do and that is why we are going to win," Romney told a loud and supportive crowd of more than 2,000 people.

With less than two weeks until Election Day, Romney hammered all the familiar notes in this battleground state that offers only six electoral votes but could be key in the electoral math for the presidency.

The president visited Davenport on Wednesday morning, starting a two-day round-the-clock attack on swing states.

“We’re gonna pull an all-nighter!” a revved-up Obama told a crowd of 3,500 at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport, according to The New York Times. “No Sleep! We’re starting in Iowa, then we’re gonna go to Colorado, then Nevada, California, then we’re gonna go to Florida, then Virginia, Ohio, and then we’re going to Illinois to vote.”

In his 20-minute speech, Romney spoke of ending Obamacare, adding energy and manufacturing jobs, supporting trade and what kind of campaign stop would it be without a few jabs at the Commander-in-Chief.

"It's not forward for the 23 million Americans struggling to find jobs," Romney said mocking Obama's campaign slogan. "We don't want forward. We've been forewarned. It's time for a new direction."

In the polls, Romney gained momentum and pulled even, perhaps past, Obama following strong debate performances. 

Romney pointed to the Obama campaign sliding.

"The Obama campaign is slipping because they can't craft an agenda to help the American families," Romney said. "But, our campaign is growing into a movement across this country that says we are going to get America back, we are going to get America strong."

Dave Horton, 41, of Sycamore, IL, was in Iowa for work and stopped on his drive home to get a taste for the campaign trail. He was actually a Rick Santorum supporter who had concerns about Romney, but after the first debate Horton gained comfort.

Horton said he has already cast his vote for Romney. It is the first time in his life he has voted. Why now?

"Because we need to get Obama out of office," he said.

Michele DeBlieck and Diane Miller, who are both in their 60s, drove down from Manchester. Miller said she is mainly interested in senior issues, while DeBlieck said she is most concerned about jobs and the economy.

"What he said rings true," Miller said.

DeBlieck said, if Romney is elected, she expects "fewer regulations, more jobs, growing economy and improved standing in the world."

"Our reputation is disgusting right now," DeBlieck said.

Romney is scheduled to be back on Friday in Ames, where he plans to deliver a closing speech framing the economic choice facing voters, one of his top advisors told The New York Times on Wednesday.

The speech will come just over a week before Election Day and as voters across Iowa and several other swing states are voting early. 

Romney's visit Wednesday coincided with some difficult political navigating he faced as a result of his backing of Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock, who called pregnancies resulting from rape “something that God intended.” Romney disavowed the comments but said he still supports Mourdock’s bid for the Senate.

The Romney campaign has not asked Mourdock’s campaign to pull a television advertisement featuring Romney’s endorsement, a Romney campaign official said Wednesday morning.

Romney has a slight edge in national polls, although he and Obama are tied, within the margin of error. Obama has a slight lead in Iowa, although it, too, is within the margin of error.