Mitt Romney kicked off his three-stop bus tour of Ohio by telling rain-soaked voters in the battleground state that the country is about to get "a little brighter."

Romney on Sunday told thousands of supporters who'd been standing in the rain _ some for hours _ that the weather was a metaphor for the country and that "three and a half years of dark clouds are about to part." The likely Republican presidential nominee appeared with his wife, Ann, and two of his sons at a pancake breakfast in honor of Father's Day. Four of his 18 grandchildren also attended.

Romney appeared with Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman, who is considered a top possible contender for vice president.

The former Massachusetts governor planned two more stops in Ohio on Sunday.