[VO] I was born into a Republican family; I've been a Republican my whole life. So…

[Jim Heath] I haven't always supported the president until recently.

[Woman] What do you think the guys at the fire station would think if they could see this now?

[Jim] Being a firefighter from Ohio, uh, we had an issue in Ohio where the governor attacked

collective bargaining for police, firemen, and teachers in our state.

[Jim] That was a real eye-opener for me.

[Jim] "I'll be thinking about you."

[Jim] Once I started getting attacked, and I really started to look at what other options

were out there, because I really feel like the Republican party just left me. Shortly

after that, I was watching a speech by Barack Obama. And it was on jobs. And I just, I said,

"This guy was talking to me, was protecting me." And, I hadn't felt that in a while. So,

I said right then and there, "This guy's got my vote."

[President Obama] Did you always know you wanted to be a firefighter?

[Jim] I did.

[President Obama] And, how many guys in the station?

[Jim] We used to have about 15 to 16, and now we're down to about 12.

[President Obama-VO] Is that right? That many cutbacks?

[Jim] That many - yeah.

[President Obama] You know, it's tough. The first two years I, I came in, right when the

recession hit, uh, the Recovery Act provided money to states to keep folks on. The

needs are still there - it's not like suddenly, there are fewer fires. It's not like there

are fewer kids to teach.

[Jim-VO] Having the conversation with him, reinforces the fact that he stands behind

[Jim] firefighters, and policemen, and teachers.

[President Obama] Thanks, man.

[Jim] You got my vote.

[President Obama] Tell your guys I said hi.

[Jim] I will.

[Jim] This just reaffirms to me, that I'm doing the right thing. I'm fighting for the

right guy, and I'm on the right side.

[Music]