Romney ‘Victory Rally’ arrives in Virginia

Click on photo to enlarge or download: Presidential candidate Mitt Romney tells the Fairfax, Va., crowd Thursday that he will get Americans back to work and improve the U.S. economy. SHFWire photo by Tanya Parker.FAIRFAX, Va. – Supporters arrived in waves at the Van Dyck Park in Fairfax, Va., Thursday to welcome Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

The Romney supporters donned T-shirts and hats to support the GOP candidate and his platform with slogans such as, “America’s comeback team,” “Coal=Jobs” and “Defeat Obama.” Individuals waved signs that read “Virginia believes” in the air as Romney spoke.

Romney began by addressing a need to help returning veterans find jobs to bolster the economy, telling the crowd, “Things are going to get a lot better.” Romney said he will reduce the deficit in four years by getting the country back on track to a balanced budget and restore jobs by helping small businesses stay afloat.

Supporters chanted, “U-S-A,” as Romney assured the crowd that jobs will be made available for those seeking work and that “America is coming back.”

Romney said that President Barack Obama’s policies have failed, and those at the rally showed they agreed by cheering and clapping.

Click on photo to enlarge or download: A crowd gathers at Van Dyck Park in Fairfax, Va., a suburb of Washington, chanting presidential Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s name and waving American flags. SHFWire photo by Tanya Parker“I’m interested in balancing the budget and getting rid of debt. We’re passing on a crushing debt to our children and grandchildren. It’s ridiculous,” said Theron Patrick, 64, of Springfield, Va., a retired U.S. Coast Guard commander.

Several Fairfax entrepreneurs took the stage ahead of Romney, announcing the importance of small-business practices in the United States. Romney is “pro-private industry,” which will help improve the economy as a whole, and is an important aspect of life in Fairfax, Patrick said in response to the business owners.

Stephanie Spitz, 17, a senior at Fairfax High School, will vote for the first time this year and attended the rally to support her candidate-of-choice.

“Obama just made promises, but he didn’t follow through,” Spitz said.

One topic of discussion was avoided, however, when Romney’s planned moment of silence to mourn the loss of the four U.S. diplomats in Libya was interrupted by shouts from the crowd.

Romney stumbled earlier in the week when he condemned Obama’s policies in Libya just as the administration was announcing that the U.S. ambassador had been killed. Romney said he would have done things differently and protected the diplomats, especially on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Virginia is considered a swing state, with polls showing Romney and Obama tied.

Michelle Obama was also in Virginia Thursday to campaign for her husband.

Reach reporter Tanya Parker at Tanya.Parker@shns.com or 202-326-9871. SHFWire stories are free to any news organization that gives the reporter a byline and credits the SHFWire.

Click on photo to enlarge or download: Mitt Romney supporters hold signs in the air to signify their agreement with his presidential platform and reform plans for the United States. SHFWire photo by Tanya Parker