Mitt Romney thrills throngs of admirers in Apopka (Florida tonight)

The Romney campaign said it took in RSVPs from 14,000 to 15,000 people to the event, though it did not know how many actually came. Apopka Chief Administrative Officer Richard Anderson said earlier the amphitheater had a capacity of about 10,000. The place was overflowing, and most of the last few thousand people, at least, who arrived had to fight through crawling traffic. Many people abandoned their cars along the roads' grassy shoulders and walked a mile or more to get to the park.

But these people were happy to be there together, and having watched Romney's debate performance last week, they were feeling like winners. They thundered a welcome when Romney and his wife, Ann, took stage, then cheered and roared repeatedly through his 23-minute speech.

They and Romney caught a major break when vicious evening thunderstorms rolled over menacingly but passed Apopka by, leaving just a few sprinkled drops.

Romney began by describing the debate as a clear expression of his and Obama's visions for America. But he also portrayed the debate as an opportunity for him to ask questions of Obama that others could or would not on topics ranging from why the health-care law was a bigger priority than jobs and why he was canceling drilling permits on federal lands.

Among new details, Romney promised to double the number of drilling permits approved on federal lands, to open Alaska to more oil exploration and to "build that pipeline from Canada if I have to do it myself."

Now that the novelty has worn off, she may still be liked and respected, but I’d wager she wouldn’t draw near the crowds.

Don't ever make the mistake of misunderestimate SarahCuda. She's wise enough to stand back and let Romney shine in his moment, but as we've seen before, she can light up the world when she wants to.

Just the idea that she might throw her hat in the ring for 2016 may keep Mitt on the straight and narrow. I can't think of another soul who can do that.

If she was the nominee the crowds would be off the chart so stop trying to build up that flip-flopping liar.

Duz we haves a crush on Sara? Look, I would have loved to see P[alin on the ticket, but she isn't there. I wasn't cutting her down, so I have to wonder at the nerve I seem to have hit. Mitt was my second-last choice of those running, but the more I see and hear, the more I like. If you need to vote for Ron Paul or ~~Johnny B.~~ Virgil Goode, have at it. Just try not to flip out in public - having a bunch of folks stare will likely really unsettle you.

--Now that the novelty has worn off, she may still be liked and respected, but I’d wager she wouldn’t draw near the crowds.--
Don't ever make the mistake of misunderestimate SarahCuda. She's wise enough to stand back and let Romney shine in his moment, but as we've seen before, she can light up the world when she wants to. Just the idea that she might throw her hat in the ring for 2016 may keep Mitt on the straight and narrow. I can't think of another soul who can do that.

Don't get me wrong - I wish Sarah was in the race and I believe she would be wildly popular. I was merely pointing out that it's human nature to lower the enthusiasm temperature once we become acclimated. I believe she would still draw huge crowds, but not likely to the same degree as when she was new and fresh and making such a contrast to McCain that we actually had a reason to want to vote. If she ever throws her hat in the ring, my checkbook will meet her there.

I looked for this thread to add my report- couldn’t find it until this morning- here’s my post:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2941432/posts?page=20#20

Yesterday I got off work around 3:15 and drove the 20 minutes to Apopka for the Romney rally. It was sunny and HOT (Florida does not recognize autumn). As we wound our way through the lines I watched and listened. I heard latinos/hispanics talking about what socialism is like and how it’s unbelievable to see it happening here. I saw a great many YOUNG people with their kids in hand. I saw about 50% WOMEN- none of whom appeared to feel there is a war being waged on them. As I listened to conversations I was amazed to hear how WELL INFORMED this group is...they KNOW.

Because we got there early we were able to get seats in the shell. The wind changed and serious clouds approached from ALL directions. We’ve been deluged every day with horrendous thunderstorms lately and it looked as though we were about to get slammed. And yet...it never happened. All around us were storms, but not over us.

The amphitheater where we sat is surround by acres of open fields. I couldn’t tell how big the crowd was so at one point I stood on my chair and looked behind us. HOLY CRAP!! As far as my eye could see were people...THOUSANDS of people. It was breathtaking. I’ve been to many political rallies over the years...but honestly haven’t ever seen something like this. People parked their cars TWO MILES away and walked to the amphitheater.

After suitable crowd-pumping by local politicians, Mitt and Ann came out. The crowd roared. Literally. Endlessly. On our feet..it went on and on.

Romney’s stump speech has improved considerably and it has red meat for us- and personal stories for indies and undecided. What struck me while listening and watching...there wasn’t a teleprompter ANYWHERE IN SIGHT!! Romney knew what he wanted to tell us- he didn’t have to be prompted by anyone. Nor did Ann, nor any of the other speakers.

By the time Mitt came out, the clouds literally had broken up and the setting sun was lighting the evening sky..

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