BY JOHN SEEWER

Associated Press

PARMA, Ohio

The two rock stars--one a political star and the other a real rocker--shared the stage Thursday to whip up supporters at a rally for President Barack Obama in suburban Cleveland. While the president wasn't a part of the event, there was no shortage of enthusiasm.

"This election is coming down to the end," Clinton said. "It's pretty straight forward."

Obama deserves credit for keeping the nation from sliding into a depression and saving the auto industry that employs so many in Ohio, Clinton told a crowd of about 3,000 that didn't include another 700 who couldn't get inside a gymnasium at Cuyahoga Community College.

"When we were down the president had your back, you've got to have his back," Clinton said. "This is not complicated. If somebody saved my economy, I'd be for him."

With the presidential race zeroing in on Ohio and less than three weeks left before Election Day, Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney are spending a lot of time in the prized swing state and counting on some big names to build up enthusiasm.

Romney already has brought country singers Jo Dee Messina and Rodney Atkins to the state where polls show Obama holding onto a slight lead.

Springsteen, making his debut on the 2012 campaign trail after vowing he would not get involved, said he came to Ohio to support Obama because he implemented universal health care and cares about the rights of women.

"I'm thankful GM is still making cars," Springsteen said in between in a mix of songs that included a version of Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" and his own song "Youngstown," a tribute to the working class in northeast Ohio.

He also played favorites "Thunder Road" and "We Take Care of Our Own."

The Boss took the stage after Clinton, and it was hard to figure out who the crowd came to see.

"It's the perfect mix," said Chris Vlcek, a hospital administrator who lives in the Cleveland suburb of Strongsville. He's an Obama supporter, but acknowledged there's less enthusiasm for him than four years ago and that it might take a bigger push to get people behind the president.

"I think Bill Clinton can have a strong influence," Vlcek said.