Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Oct. 17, 2012, edition 1 / Page 3
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Photos by Marine Raynard- Contributing Photographer Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney rallied support on Thursday in Asheville at the U.S. Cellular Center, following the Oct. 2 visit of Vice President Joe Biden. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks at Cellular Center Sheldon Schenck sschenck@unca.edu - Staff Writer Controversy rose as Gov. Mitt Romney decided to bring his campaign to Asheville on Thursday, with a small group of protesters joining the crowd of thousands of Romney support ers. Romney rallied in front of a packed crowd at the U.S. Cel lular Center, while protesters rallied outside. “There were several protest ers outside of the U.S. Cellular Center before, during and after the rally,” said Lauren Keys, senior sociology student. “Truthfully, I just found their presence pointless. When Biden spoke at UNCA, his supporters weren’t harassed by conserva tive protesters. Why were we?” The Romney campaign has placed a great importance on North Carolina, saying its win is crucial in this election. “This is time for North Caro lina to come together and say, ‘We’re taking America back,”’ Romney said. Students in attendance agreed North Carolina is an important swing state. “I think Romney came to Asheville because North Caro lina is becoming an increasingly important battleground state in this election,” said Cassandra Harvey, a junior environmen tal studies student. “Asheville is a very liberal city in the middle of a pretty conservative area, so coming to Asheville is kind of a meeting point for all of western North Carolina.” Following Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Asheville, several students said it was the Republican Party’s turn to have the spotlight in the area. “I was very happy to have Romney visit Asheville because Biden had already come, and it was good to have a Republican come to our area as well,” said Kurt Hilbert, a senior atmo spheric science student. UNC Asheville students said they feel it is necessary to hear from all sides of the political sphere during this crucial elec tion. “I was happy to hear that Romney was coming to Asheville because 1 think it’s important for presidential can didates to reach out to as many people as possible,” Keys said. “I thought it was cool of Biden to come, too.” Though the U.S. Cellular Center was packed with Rom ney supporters, many UNCA students said they were unhap py about his attendance because of the negativity they said he stands for. “I think Romney is an abomi nation to the progress of this country,” Harvey said. “I espe cially can’t understand how any woman would be for Romney considering the views he has openly held for the inequality of women in the eyes of the government and his plans to get rid of Planned Parenthood.” Romney acknowledged he and the president have extreme ly different views on important issues during his speech. “We have a very different vi sion for the future of America,” Romney said. “He (President Obama) calls his plan forward. I call his plan forewarned.” Former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee and Speaker of the House John Boehner joined Romney at the rally, adding to what attendees described as a positive and energetic atmo sphere. “The environment was re ally exciting,” Hilbert said. “It seemed like everyone was hap py to be there, and the speak ers did a good job of getting the crowd pumped.” Romney spent the majority of the rally talking about how he thinks the current administra tion has left America in ruins. “I will not raise taxes on small businesses or the middle class in America,” Romney said. “I see ROMNEY on page 5
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