Politics & Government

Ann Romney, GOP Women Rally for Mitt

Local Republicans joined the call for a change in the White House.

An exuberant crowd gathered Friday at Cavallo Farm in Leesburg, just over the Ashburn line, to hear Ann Romney and local Republicans urge women to head to the polls in November to put in the White House.

The event came just about 12 hours after President called on voters during the  to give him four more years in office.

“America, we can do better,” Romney said to cheers at the Women for Mitt event. “We all recognize this is a crossroads election.”

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And while Obama focused on the word “we,” Romney said he missed the point about who should make decision for families.

“Recognizing individuals is what this country is about, not government,” she said.

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Supervisor (R-Algonkian) warmed up the crowd.

“We cannot sit back,” Volpe said. “We cannot think someone else will get it done.”

Volpe pointed to the Republican takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 and the Loudoun Board of Supervisors in 2011 as examples of what the GOP can accomplish.

“You good-looking ladies know this did not happen by accident,” she said. “I know we can do it again.”

Calling on those gathered to go out in their communities and urge others to vote for Mitt Romney, Volpe borrowed a biblical phrase.

“As they say in the good book, go forth and multiply,” she said, appearing to take a dig at Democrats who removed the word "God" from their platform only to reinstate it under a questionable vote at the DNC. “Unlike some folks, we like to pray around here," Romney said. "We are fighting for the soul of our nation and it begins today.”

Candace Strother gave the invocation, followed by a speech by Del. Barbara Comstock, who has found herself in the limelight on numerous occasions this election season.

Comstock noted the enthusiasm Democrats garnered during the DNC, but said it was basically just a party that now has consequences.

“Unfortunately, this morning we woke up and we’re stuck with the hangover,” she said, picking up on today’s GOP talking point.

Comstock expressed great concern about the country’s $16 trillion in debt, a number that was $10 trillion when Obama took office.

“The Greek columns from four years ago have faded into Greek-like debt,” she said, referring to Greek-column props used at the DNC four years ago. For every job gained during the past four years, she said, four people have stopped looking.

“This is like some guy who won’t stop for directions,” Comstock said, referring to Obama’s policies. “He just keeps going.”

She also said the president’s call to terminate President George W. Bush-era tax cuts for Americans making more than $250,000 would hurt everyone because wealthy Americans provide the jobs for everyone.

“He promised last night he’s going to raise taxes on our businesses and families,” she said, adding that it would result in businesses cutting job. “We don’t need four more years of failure.”

Carolyn Wolf, wife of U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) said the congressman has “never been so worried in his life” about the direction of the country.

“We need change,” she said. “Our ticket will restore the hope that was lost the last four years.”

Susan Allen, wife of U.S. Senate candidate George Allen, then introduce Romney, saying the Affordable Health Care Act, “must be repealed and replaced.”

The excitement of the attendees grew right up until Romney took the stage and beyond.

“It’s our turn to turn the economy around and Mitt can do it,” Romney said. “What legacy is this administration leaving my children?”

Romney pointed to her husband’s business success and said it’s a point of pride, not a something to hide.

“We’re not going to apologize for that,” she said.

The event took place at a horse-riding farm in Loudoun, a nod to Romney’s therapy for multiple sclerosis.

“I salute those men and women today who are finding therapeutic riding,” she said.

[Correction: The original version of this story listed the wrong speaker giving the invocation. The story has been corrected. Patch apologizes for the error.]


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