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Romney Says People 'Want Change'

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is speaking to a crowd in Pasco County tonight

Gov. Mitt Romney has taken the stage at Land O’ Lakes High School.

"This is happening all over the country," Romney said to the crowd that packed into the school's stadium. "People are coming together that want change. We're going to give it to them.

"When we win Florida, we're going to win the White House."

Tonight's rally in Land O’ Lakes is the second visit from a presidential contender to the Tampa Bay area this week. President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of more than 8,000 during a campaign rally at Ybor City’s Centennial Park Thursday.

Romney’s visit to Land O’ Lakes hasn’t been without controversy. The United School Employees of Pasco union planned a protest of the Republican today and has also raised concerns about his use of the school to stump for votes.

Former Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat, also spoke in protest of Romney prior to the Republican presidential hopeful's arrival in the Central Pasco town.

The school union's protest drew about a dozen supporters. Some teachers, however, came to show their support for Romney.

Romney’s rally in Pasco has also drawn a large crowd of prominent Florida Republicans. He’s appearing Congressman Connie Mack, who is hoping to unseat Democrat Bill Nelson in the U.S. Senate in November.

U.S. Sen Marco Rubio was scheduled to appear, but had to leave due to a family emergency, according to TBO.com's Twitter feed.

Exciting Idlewild Baptist Church's Senior Pastor Ken Whitten opened the rally with a prayer.

"My prayer tonight is not for a party, but for a people..," Whitten said.

Incoming Florida House Speaker Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, who attended Land O' Lakes High School and played football there, addressed the crowd.

"I’m proud of that and I love Land O' Lakes High School, but what going on in this country is not (a) game," he said. "There are two teams and somebody’s gotta lose and somebody’s gotta win.

"Make no mistake, today is game day."

Stay with Patch for updates about the rally.

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michael payne October 28, 2012 at 12:43 am
1) How is this "breaking news"?
2) What does this have to do with South Tampa? I really enjoy Patch breaking news alerts when they are about breaking news IN South Tampa. This is neither.
Sherri Lonon (Editor) October 28, 2012 at 01:04 am
Hi RD and Michael. Thanks so much for your comments! Patch covered the first lines of both President Barack Obama's rally speech on Thursday and Gov. Mitt Romney's speech tonight as breaking news since so many people from both Hillsborough and Pasco attended.
Nancy Giordano October 28, 2012 at 01:09 am
Wow, 12 protestors! They really CRASHED the rally!
D.C Machen October 28, 2012 at 01:48 am
Nor do we want the empty bag marked "Change" thats sat on a table forgotten the last 4 years
vicki1027 October 28, 2012 at 01:50 am
Curious why Alex Sink can't use Pasco County School grounds for political purposes, but 2 years later it is OK that Mitt does so. Interesting.... There are lots of us paying attention to these details. I find it very curious that neither his 'home' state of Michican, nor his state of Massachusetts, nor the largest paper in Utah (where they proudly identify as republican, pro-business and Mormon according to the article) ALL are supporting Obama. They all know Romney and the outcome of his politics, and they are supporting Obama. In MA there might not have been 'new taxes' but he did initiate over 500 new 'fees' on everything from nursing homes to dry cleaning. Everyone knows fees are are republican euphemisms for taxes. They hit working people the hardest. Please pay attention to the details!
Rev Michael Carbone October 28, 2012 at 03:53 am
He's right people want change alright -I live LESS than a mile from the high school - I wanted to be able to get home, a normal 5 minute drive - took me over 45 minutes to get home - it looked like a damn freak show on US 41 - Someone dressed like Jesus holding a sign "Honk For Jesus" - he wasn't the only one, I saw a few others holding similar signs - my neighbor has an OBAMA sign out front and she was being yelled at by people who were walking past - and one person used the "N" word - so your right Mitt we want change - GO HOME!
Susan Berckhart October 28, 2012 at 02:08 pm
Your right we do need a change But Not the Change Romney is Offering, the same way he Abandoned Massachusetts He will abandon this Country , I'm a proud Temple Terrace Resident and I have already Voted for President Obama.
Michael October 28, 2012 at 06:08 pm
All of you bitter liberals out there that think a handout is ok...put you hand out not mine. All you liberals that think people are in a frenzy about Mitt Romney hold onto your seats...because your in for a rough ride!!! Mitt Romney is taking the white house back and relieving a rotten Hollywood wannabe of the highest office on earth. Thank god there were 20000 people there to support him! America is worth it! Obama is a sad and empty suit and I HOPE he goes to prison for the poor choices he made to allow 4 Americans to be murdered and then treating Americans as if we were stupid bafoons that had no brain. Of course he covered it up and of course he lied...that's all he knows how to do...he is a radical socialist and Americans will not have it! We'll all get CHANGE on November 6th.....Bye bye Obama! Don't let the door hit-cha in the ass!!!!!!!
Mike Chubre October 28, 2012 at 07:02 pm
The republicans watched Iraqi trucks haul what could of been wmd for 4 months to Syria . Bush knew this and it was reported on Fox so called News . So the republicans sent in our troops after watching this and the reps acted like it was an emergency for our troops to go in . They sent our troops in without the equipment they needed , one example is the steel sheilds on Humvees and jeeps and so forth. Some of our troops had to go to local scrap yards to get metal to weld onto their trucks to protect them from machine gun fire. This is fact ask some who went and look it up . . How many troops got killed going into Iraq for daddy Bush , not to liberate the people but to take out Sadamm for daddy Bush . And when we got into Iraq guess what ??? DUHHHHHHHHH no WMD . Afetr watching the tractor trailers hauling back and forth to Syria ? Fox even mentioned they might have wmd on them ! People forget its the republicans that get us into all the wars we have had. American oil companies are now pumping oil in Iraq , the reason we went in for . And now the reps are doing all they can to discredit Obama over Libya . Your not fooling anyone you republican war mongers
Michael October 28, 2012 at 07:14 pm
I served in the us army...don't speak military unless you have sacrificed yourself. Also, quit speaking of the bush era....that's been over for 4 years....- and to think your slogan is FORWARD???? You know nothing about being an American. At least Bush stood strong for his country during 9-11....Obama blamed a video. You decide. I will vote Romney into the whitehouse over a thug from Chicago anyday
michael payne October 28, 2012 at 07:28 pm
@Sherri: I don't understand-- it's breaking news because a lot of people attended an event that was... scheduled? When you tag something as breaking news, I get an email with "BREAKING NEWS" in the subject line and it always takes me to news about a breaking event in my neighborhood. By tagging this as breaking, an event that wasn't breaking nor did it occur in my neighborhood, you're misusing the privilege to send me the emails I signed up for. Essentially, this is spam. I'll pass my complaint up the chain to a regional/state editor at Patch.
Michael October 28, 2012 at 07:35 pm
By the way...I would take war on their turf over ours anyday. There is no way to avoid war...don't kid yourselves. These are trained hate responses from their religious upbringing and they hate us. They will kill themselves to kill us. When they come knocking on your door to kill ou ad your loved ones...right before you kiss your ass goodbye...you'll wish you voted to strengthen our military and voted Romney. The choice is yours...be delusional and think we can avoid war, or bring the fight to their back yard to avoid it getting here. VOTE ROMNEY RYAN FOR VETERANS!!!
Mike Chubre October 28, 2012 at 07:35 pm
Why should we stop speaking of the bush era ? As always you reps are always full of insults when you cannot defend your party for its actions that are full of lies. Why do you reps always do this. Bush went to the wrong place after 911 ? why??? You calling our pres a thug just tells me what you really are. You have no facts, you are just a yes man that would jump when Bush speaks . You know like a puppet . If you want to add to this discussion , state some facts and stop the insults . Romney got a waiver from service , are you ok with that ? Iam because Unless we are protecting our country , I dont believe we should risk our lives for some republican defense contractors who start a war to make some BIG MONEY . I commend you for your service , if it was to protect OUR country . Do you know why you went????? And what you were fighting for ? Or did you go because like many today , they needed a job .
Mike Chubre October 28, 2012 at 07:49 pm
Because Obama goes around the world and shows respect to other countries , we have some say he saying sorry for America.. Because Obama uses his brain , unlike the cowboy Bush who sent troops into iraq unprepared without proper equipment , like Sadamm had his finger on the buton to blow us up at any minute. Iam sure if all Americans do their research they will vote for Obama . He saved millions of people from losing their homes , from republican controlled banks who were ripping them off by giving loans that should of never happened . Obama who , unlike the reps , wanted to take out Bin Laden . Iam sure if Obama was president on 911 he would of never allowed the Bin Laden family to fly out of the usa being the only plane in the sky ? The bush era stinks more everytime I think about what went on . But I like to call it the republican era , so I will not forget it and know if the reps are elected we will get more of the same . The poor will never get a break and the middleclass will decline . And we will be at war before you know it . Unlike what the reps want you to believe , Obama is respected around the world .
Michael October 28, 2012 at 08:10 pm
Obama is weak and empty...and from your comments...you should stop following him because you are beginning to sound like Obama. This is the presidency we are talking about...not some flyby job. Obama has done nothing to benefit our great nation. I really laugh at your comment about because Obama is the only president to have to run a full out smear campaign against an incumbent. I can't blame you though...if I supported Obama, I would be upset too...because you WILL LOSE! Obama is full of weak lies and unpatriotic racist thinking. Grow up and become a good American while you still can. Lybia, bailouts, gays, weakened military...I guess it's whatever way the wind blows just like the great Chicago politics he brings to the national stage. I served my county for a number of reasons...of which I need not discuss with YOU. How dare you question me about my decision to show my country what I am willing to do for it. I don't just blog for it. I fight with my life for it.. VOTE ROMNEY RYAN!!!!!!
Mike Chubre October 28, 2012 at 09:34 pm
People should not vote for anyone , UNLESS they have facts , not talking points or sound bites . I do not state hear say or nonsense . I do not speak without knowing the facts . The republicans are not interested in the middle class , nor helping them . Anyone of my age should know this. I have seen the republicans years after years look the other way when it comes to the middle class. The reps have refused the prescription drug database for 10 years and fought it every step of the way . A database that could someday save your kids life . The drug dealers love the reps for not enforcing this database . The reps are more interested in supporting the doctors , BIG pharma and their own pocketbook . They passed a watered down version of a database last year that is not mandatory for the doctors to use . They passed it under pressure . Please look into this simple fact before you vote for the reps . This alone should tell you where their heads are at . Its not you and I . Its their wallets and how much they can put in it , regardless of what it does to the middleclass
\
Samuel Clemens October 28, 2012 at 09:44 pm
MIKE C......what do you consider all the current foreign entanglements?? The US is already involved in a war over there...........started many years ago and Obama revved it up for the war mongers.
The truth: https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/425914_10151452309093082_1306077127_n.jpg
Samuel Clemens October 28, 2012 at 09:51 pm
MIKE C.........do you like living in a country where the President.....Obama.....has a kill list? One that included a 16 year old American citizen........that was killed.....along with his cousin.....by a loving drone strike.
Imagine living in a country where Terminator style robots are hovering over the skies, killing people you've known your entire life. Don't worry, the current Congress and the Nobel Peace Prize winning President have passed legislation to have 30,000 drones patrolling American skies. Don't you love this freedom the democrats support? I know you want to reside in fantasyland believing the R's are ever so evil, but the reality.........THE FACTS......reveal there is to much bipartisanship in DC. 40,000 new laws passed last year alone. You want to tell me that was only R's destroying our way of life? Wake up, man. They both suck. Quit sticking up for people who don't care about any of us. Just because the tv and newspapers say otherwise, doesn't make it true.........THEY ALWAYS VOTE AGAINST OUR BEST INTEREST.
Rev Michael Carbone October 28, 2012 at 10:17 pm
it's not any worse of a KILL LIST than Bush had - he brought us to war because of lies where thousands were killed, even our own service men and women - yet it's OK that he lied? He should have been brought up on charges as a war criminal but wasn't. He brought us into the worse deficit in history, worse unemployment since the great depression and yet OBAMA is to blame? Get your facts straight - unemployment was on a downward bottomless slide before Obama even came into office, we were already trillions of dollars in debt before even even decided to run for office and the "trickle down" economics were normal since Bush first took office and was quoted as saying it would help boost our economy and continue the economic growth. Instead the wealthy became greedy, kept the money for themselves, did not do any new hiring and here we are today. Obama managed to stop the downward slide of unemployment, people are going back to work, people are buying new homes and there is a light at the end of the tunnel for so many families. If we go back to the way things were before Obama came into office as far as the "trickle down" policies - we will be in a worse shape. So I say, go ahead, elect Mitt into office - and when you complain that you are out of work, you are homeless and sick and no one will help - I'll say SHUT UP you wanted him in office, deal with it now, my home is not open for you!
JS October 28, 2012 at 11:11 pm
"Its the economy, stupid."
http://economywatch.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/25/14669859-multigenerational-households-on-rise-in-us?lite
Susan Berkhart October 29, 2012 at 12:33 am
@Michael while your calling the President of this country a chicago thug you must not have done your home work on Mitt Romney because he isn't All White his Mother was mixed with different races and it's Ignorant Racist IDIOTS LIKE You That makes Me ashamed to Be The same race as you. because all of your Comments have been Racist and Disrespectful . I'm Moving Forward and I voted for Obama and i know plenty others that are doing the same
michael payne October 29, 2012 at 02:16 am
Ironically, Michael, the handout goes to conservatives. On a macroeconomic level, the blue states represent the lions share of our nations GDP and pay the most into its tax revenues. Red states, and their republican citizens, represent the largest negative draw on our economy. Gut the blue states and their participation in the US's revenue, and the bible belt states that include Florida would equate to a third world country. While Fox News, the republican congress and their constituents often complain about liberals that "just want a handout", the truth is quite the opposite.
You said: "I HOPE he goes to prison for the poor choices he made to allow 4 Americans to be murdered" How did you react when George W. Bush ignored the repeated warnings by his security department that Al Qaeda was going to attack using hijacked airplanes, and then 4,000 Americans were murdered? This Barack Obama guy must be some kind of saint if his record is 0.10% of the guy that came before him. Oh, and the guy that killed those 4,000 Americans is now dead. "he is a radical" His record is moderate. "socialist" What makes him a socialist?
Samuel Clemens October 29, 2012 at 02:52 am
Rev, you obviously are unaware of the literal kill list the President now possesses. Like Obama, Bush was just a front man.....puppet....but he didn't have an actual kill list.....the Office of the Presidency now does and Obama has used it.
One person crossed off the list was a 16 year old American boy and his cousin. No judge, no jury, no trial.......der fuhrer now speaks and drones do some killing. Perhaps it will be you or one of your family members in the future........the Congress passed.....and Obama signed legislation authorizing 30,000 drones in American skies.....that's the R's and the D's voting for the insanity. Anyways, the power to be the judge, jury and executioner is now available to whomever is in the office.......no matter what letter is beside their name. And to you "journalists" reading this, have you thought about what the NDAA means for you and your colleagues? We need more whistleblowers like Amber Lyon so the Rev and others can realize it's a system we are against, not one side or party. Hosea 4:6
Li October 30, 2012 at 02:38 pm
I hear former president George "DUBYA" Bush will be campaigning for Rommney this week in Florida... Yeah!
Wait...no??? Bad idea? why????
Joseph Robert October 30, 2012 at 03:03 pm
Mark, I agree, totally.
If Mitt was president, the folks in the northeast dealing with terrible damage from Hurricane Sandy would be on their own. Romney wants to get rid of FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency), the agency that handles disaster relief and cleanup, and return that function to each state, as he said in the Republican presidential primary debates. That's a terrible idea! Actually, Romney has a lot of terrible, backward ideas!
Joseph Robert October 30, 2012 at 03:05 pm
Why aren't Republican leaders like President George Bush, Vice President Cheney and John Boehner campaigning with Romney?
Oh, that's right. They and their ideas are hated by most Americans. Similar to how many feel about Mr. Romney, "George W. Bush-Lite".
Colter95 November 3, 2012 at 08:47 pm
I saw Obama yesterday claiming the new job numbers are proof that his policies are working and that we are in an economic recovery... Fact is, that is not the truth, or even close to the truth...
First, the unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9% and the year-to-date monthly average of 157,000 payroll jobs is barely enough to keep up with population growth -- much less make up for the 8 million jobs lost during the Great Recession. Second, the so-called real unemployment rate (U6) remains elevated at 14.6%, albeit down from 14.7% the prior month. Similarly, the labor participation rate is at 63.8%, up from its multi-decade low but still incredibly weak. Third, average hourly earnings fell a penny in October and average hours worked fell to 34.4 from 34.5 in September. Stagnant wages means "we're not generating income," Reinhart says. "That's a problem in terms of the durability of an economic expansion, which is usually fueled by consumption. To get consumption you've got to generate income." Also, just look at your checkbook. We are paying a lot more for everything now than we did in 2008. The price of gas has doubled. At the same time, wages have gone down, and that's if you're lucky to have a job. In 2008, 25 banks went out of business. In 2012, 48 banks have gone out of business. Almost double the amount. Does that sound like recovery to you? Don't believe the Obama lies!! Romney/Ryan 2012
Colter95 November 3, 2012 at 08:48 pm
Please don't let Obama sweep Benghazi under the rug...
Lets not forget those four who were left to be slaughtered in Benghazi... Do not reward Obama for this epic failure… Every voter needs to read this excellent article... Very well worth your time... http://spectator.org/archives/2012/11/01/benghazi-obamas-core-deceit/ These are pretty good as well: http://www.gazette.com/opinion/romney-146793-obama-benghazi.html http://frontpagemag.com/2012/dgreenfield/benghazigate-obamas-many-lies-about-libya/ http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/50657 http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/10/25/CBS-Busts-Obama--and-Itself-Hidden-60-Minutes-Clip-Proves-White-House-Lied-About-Benghazi Romney/Ryan 2012
Rev Michael Carbone November 3, 2012 at 11:13 pm
and I wonder if the taxpayers in Pasco County will have to pay the $30,000+ damage that was done at the Land O Lakes High School during the rally - and if you think I'm making it up - check the news
Joseph Robert November 3, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Very interesting!
The states that know Romney best -- Massachusetts where he was governor and now lives, and Michigan where he was born -- both strongly favor Obama, not Romney. They must know something that Romney supporters don’t know! http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/president/
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Debra Natale June 18, 2013 at 07:06 pm
We are in Wesley Chapel right behind Sam's Club in Summergate Professional Park