Mitt Romney visits Lakewood for a Fundraiser
Presidential candidate Mitt Romney told an audience of
hundreds of supporters Wednesday, which included a large contingent of local
Jewish Republicans, that the key to a successful economy lies in American
individualism.
Romney said small business owners are the key to building
the American economy, and he criticized President Barack Obama as “being so far
out of touch with the American character.”
Under heavy security, Romney arrived at the Lake Terrace
banquet hall Wednesday to meet with about 500 local supporters and collect at
least $1,000 per person at a fundraising event.
There were two Shore fundraisers Wednesday, with a
private dinner in Rumson later. Lawrence E. Bathgate II, co-organizer of the
events, said the two fundraisers for Romney will garner about $2 million.
“New Jersey is no longer a blue state,” said George R.
Gilmore, the Ocean County Republican chairman and co-chair of two Wednesday
fundraisers, at the Lakewood event. “It could be a red state.”
utside the Lake Terrace, several dozen onlookers waited,
hoping for a glimpse of Romney, who arrived about 3:35 p.m., with a police
escort in a large motorcade of cars and vans. Two quiet protesters held signs
but were kept at a distance by Lakewood police.
Holly Bailey of Yahoo! News, a pool reporter covering the
Romney visit to Lakewood, wrote the presumptive Republican nominee’s motorcade
traveled up to 90 mph at times along the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State
Parkway. What was supposed to be a 61-minute drive from Newark Liberty
International Airport to Lakewood was completed in about 45 minutes, she wrote.
The banquet hall was hosting a wedding at the same time
as the Romney fundraiser.
Eli and Zahava Ben-Haim were married Wednesday at the
Lake Terrace. As the newlyweds went outside to take photos, the steps of the
venue were occupied by people attending the political event.
The couple, who are Republicans, took it in stride.
“Romney is good for America,” said Eli Ben-Haim, the
groom. Under Romney, “America will recover its economy. And we will do a lot
better than we are.”
Zahava Ben-Haim, the bride, said she preferred to let her
husband talk politics.
“I just want to stand here and be beautiful,” she said.
Comments
Post a Comment