BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy says he had a big smile on his face at the end of the most recent presidential debate.

Leahy said Wednesday the debate the previous evening between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney showed the president offering substance while Romney offered symbols.

The Democratic lawmaker from Vermont praised Obama's debate performance and said he's confident the president will be re-elected.

Leahy says he plans on visiting Ohio and New Hampshire in the coming weeks to help the Obama campaign.