Romney Revs Up Nevada Crowd on Eve of Vegas Debate
EmailA confident Mitt Romney promised a group of hundreds waiting to help open his Las Vegas campaign headquarters this afternoon that things will be better for Nevada residents once he’s in the White House.
“I know you’re not here because things are great here in Nevada, but things are going to be great in Nevada after I’m president,” said Romney, to cheers from the crowd.
But it was former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who abandoned his own presidential bid and endorsed Romney, who really revved up the Las Vegas crowd.
“Are you tired of a president who has had his hands on the economic wind pipes of the small businesses and entrepreneurs and job providers in this country and is squeezing it to the point that they are saying, ‘Please Mr. President, don’t squeeze it anymore, leave us alone,’” said Pawlenty, as the crowd erupted in cheers.
“Are you ready for Mitt Romney to be the next president of the United States of America?” said Pawlenty, as the audience broke into chants of “We want Mitt! We want Mitt!”
“That’s right,” said Pawlenty. “We need Mitt.”
Pawlenty was introduced by Romney as a “guy who had the chutzpah” to run against him.
“He was frankly the guy who I thought would be my toughest competition,” said Romney.
Romney was in Nevada on the eve of another Republican debate scheduled for Tuesday in Las Vegas. He appeared energetic as he prodded the audience into expressing their feelings about President Obama.
“My guess is that it probably didn’t help when [Obama] talked down Las Vegas as a convention city, did it?” asked Romney, as the crowd cheered, “No! No!”
“How about the idea of cap and trade to raise the cost of energy?” Romney asked, the audience chanting again. “Did you like that idea?”
“There is a lot of ’no’ coming from the audience and frankly I’m glad to hear that because when it comes to President Obama he’s a nice guy, but he just doesn’t know what it takes to get the economy working,” said Romney.
“I believe what it’s going to take to get America working again is someone who is not a lifelong politician, but someone who knows how the economy works,” said Romney, making a veiled reference he’s used countless times before regarding Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Romney did not mention Perry or businessman Herman Cain, who has seen a surge in support, but Nevada’s Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki promised the audience that there would be refreshments served, but “not Godfather Pizza.”
Cain is the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza.
“Not that it’s a bad pizza,” said Krolicki, “But we are sensitive here.”
Romney later left for a private fundraiser at a nearby Las Vegas country club.
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The big winner tonight was Mr. Obama. I would urge you and Mr. Perry to quit the ugly sniping and remember Reagan’s advice to not talk bad about other Republicans. If we can’t get our own house in order how can we get back in the White House. Quit letting the media bait you into this ugliness…they love it and love to talk about it.
Posted by: ann ellis | October 18, 2011, 10:17 pm 10:17 pm
STOP.
Stop all the political crap. No one said anything about 9-9-9 when Cain first came out with it. but now that he is up in the polls everybody is on the attack. WE are going to vote for people who care about the issues, not politicians who fight and attack each other just like the idiots are doing in Washington now. You guys are supposed to be so smart, but not really. The media loves you guys because you are starting to look like a reality T.V. show. And in my eyes I’m more incline to vote for Cain because he is NOT a typiccal politician like you guys are. ALL of you. Good job guys. Just what we nweed in Washington more of you guys doing the same thing.
Posted by: Jeff | October 19, 2011, 7:59 am 7:59 am
I agree with the statements above. Stop pulling each other apart. State your position. You are handing this election to Obama. You looked like a bunch of spoiled children last night. Newt stated it correctly in one of the previous debates when he said lets not tear each other down. It only hurts the party and hurts your candidacy. Please stop, stop, stop.
Posted by: hall | October 19, 2011, 9:22 am 9:22 am
I have been for Mitt Romney since the first time he started to run for the office of President, and I am for him definitely again, but I have to agree with previous statements, quit bickering and picking on each other, just advise how you can get back our America. All the way these debates are going, in my opinion, is just helping Obama, and God help us if he gets a second term. All Republican candidates need to use their head and realize they are hurting the party, and it definitely does not win votes, and certainly not mine.
Posted by: Lillian | October 19, 2011, 11:14 am 11:14 am
why hasn’t anybody brought up the fact that some schools in texas are suing the state for keeping some of the school monies therefore putting alot of teachers out of work. some schools were eventually closed because they did not have the funds to keep them open. I may be wrong but it would be worth looking into before the next debate. good luck
Posted by: concerned in texas | October 19, 2011, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
It is a shame to see to grown men, especially those who are seeking the Office of President of the United States, bicker and act so childish. I want to support Mitt Romney but I need to see him handle these kinds of situations with a more mature attitude. Treat other opponents like you would like to be treated. Follow Ronald Reagan’s example. I hope to see him do better from here on.
Posted by: Lori | October 19, 2011, 11:27 pm 11:27 pm
for all of you complainging bout how he is acting just shut up. its how your suppose to go upon winning a election. you want the crowd to like you and not them. if you were running for president, im sure you would do the same thing. now I want ron paul or newt to win. but romney is starting to win for my vote. his ideas are great and repealing the healthcare is much needed. obamas ideas are shot out and im tired of him ruining everything right now. we need something knew in this country. so forget how he treating otheres just worry about right now, the president we need today. did none of you guys take us government back in highschool? jeeze.
Posted by: brooke | October 20, 2011, 11:09 am 11:09 am
not to mention romney was being attacked by perry at vegas and wouldnt let him finish talking, constantly interrupting him for no reason at all. He had to defend himself somehow, so he had no choice there.
Posted by: brooke | October 20, 2011, 11:13 am 11:13 am
I think that Mitt needs to respond to the Gun Rights Survey that was sent by the NGA. So far we have no idea what support we might get with him as a president. Paul, Bachman and Cain have each responded in support of the 2nd amendment.
Posted by: The Sage | October 20, 2011, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
Why hasn’t someone brought up the fact that Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan is very bad for seniors. His plan eliminates the payroll tax but adds a federal sales tax on spending while flattening the personal income and corporate tax rates. Most seniors have paid the Social Security and Medicare tax for many years and are now collecting benefits. Eliminating this tax doesn’t benefit them at all, since most have no earned income ( the base for payroll taxes). They, however, will have to pay the new federal sales tax on spending. Grossly unfair.
Posted by: Marinaccio | October 20, 2011, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
Mr. Romney,
Please please stop attacking each other. Republicans attacking each other is not what we need. We need an encourager and we need to unite. Obama is destroying the USA and American citizens with every Executive Order, Czar hiring, behind the door decisions, etc. We are looking for a Statesman. Someone that will protect this nation and its people. If that is you, then encourage, take a stand for principals and stop attacking each other. May the good Lord guide your steps. Thank you, sir.
Posted by: T Blaylock | October 20, 2011, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
To all you people that think Mitt shouldn’t defend himself!! I say grow up!! This is one of the important times for this country. Mitt has the right to defend himself! He must win! Plus Anderson Cooper didn’t do his Job and stop perry from interupting Mitt. You all have to know that, that network is leftist and this is what they want, Mitt didn’t have a choice..
Posted by: t. harris | October 20, 2011, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
Hey Mitt, ask Perry why you can get a driver’s license with an expired foreign passport but not a US passport that’s expired. I purposely used foreign in place of Mexican but ask yourself how many Mexican passport holders have Texas driver’s licenses and how that serves as a magnet to draw workers north of the Rio Grande. You remember the 911 hijackers all had valid driver’s licenses but how secure of Mexican/Foreign passports and why should they have the advantage over US citizens with an expired US Passport, note that the minimum cost of a passport is 135 complete with processing fee.
Posted by: Herb | October 21, 2011, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm