Romney stumps for McCain in Henderson

Heather Cory

Supporters cheer for Mitt Romney as he campaigns for John McCain during his visit to the Henderson Convention Center on Wednesday.

By Jeremy Twitchell (contact)

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008 | 6:49 p.m.

Heather Cory

Mitt Romney visits with voters after he speaking to a crowded room of supporters at the Henderson Convention Center on Wednesday.

Mitt Romney may be mum on his chances for the vice president's slot on the Republican ticket, but Southern Nevada Republicans greeted the former presidential candidate at a rally Wednesday in Henderson with the clear message that he's their man.

Romney, making a public appearance at the Henderson Convention Center on behalf of Sen. John McCain, made no mentions of the vice president position and did not speak to reporters.

Though Romney has repeatedly deflected questions about the matter at other public appearances, speculation has been high, and his Henderson appearance was no different.

When Assemblyman Lynn Stewart, whose District 22 seat includes Henderson, asked the crowd if there were any "McCain/Romney Republicans in the house," he was answered with a standing ovation.

Rep. Jon Porter and Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, who joined the parade of Republican officials and candidates to speak before Romney, echoed the desire for a ticket that would join the former political rivals and were also applauded.

Romney, who handily won Nevada's Republican Caucus in January, was more concerned with using his capital with local voters to sway them to McCain's camp, touting McCain's strengths and criticizing Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

"The difference between these two individuals and where they would lead America could not be more clear," he said.

Romney opened with a joke to point out the difference in experience between McCain and Obama. He built on that theme for the remainder of his remarks, which touched on the economy, health care, energy policy and Iraq.

He endorsed McCain's economic plan to lower taxes and encourage foreign trade, while saying that Obama's plan would increase taxes and weaken international trade relations that the economy depends on.

“The economy is really fragile right now,” Romney said. “You have two people running for office who are very concerned about it, but they have different prescriptions for it.”

Romney also criticized Obama's energy plan, saying it would not be enough to invest in renewable energy without increasing domestic oil production and creating more nuclear power.

"John McCain says we're not just going to talk about energy independence, we're going to achieve it," he said.

Romney saved his strongest words for Iraq, saying that only McCain would be able to bring American troops back with a victory and argued that Obama and his vice presidential pick Sen. Joseph Biden were wrong in their desire for a prompt American pullout.

"We're on the cusp of seeing an independent and strong Iraq, one that is capable of defending itself, thanks to the surge that John McCain promoted," he said.

Romney was the second former presidential candidate to visit Henderson in August on behalf of a former opponent. Sen. Hillary Clinton made a similar appearance Aug. 8 at Green Valley High School on behalf of Obama.

Both Romney and Clinton won Nevada, and both still have strong bases of support here months after they suspended their campaigns — support systems that both parties are working to tap into with Nevada emerging as a potential swing state.

Henderson resident Christina Ramos, decked out in an "I (heart) Mitt Romney" T-shirt, is one of those supporters.

"Times change, people change, but wrong and right don’t change, and Mitt Romney stands for what is right," she said.

Ramos, like most of those in attendance, said she would vote for McCain regardless, but is holding out hope that she can vote for McCain and Romney.

"I think they both fill in each other's gaps completely," she said. "McCain has that foreign policy and military experience, and Romney is strong on the economy."

Jeremy Twitchell is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-8928 or jeremy.twitchell@hbcpub.com.