VIRGINIA BEACH – President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney shadowed each other for a second consecutive day in a battleground state, appealing for votes by arguing the other is pushing failed policies.

Taxes, energy independence, education, jobs and debt were the main issues that both candidates hit Thursday in Virginia, one of about 10 states that their campaigns say will swing the Nov. 6 election.

In an appearance before military veterans in Springfield, a suburb of Washington, Romney said the struggling economy is weakening the country and criticized Obama over automatic budget cuts — including to defense — set to take effect in January.