Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan in Manassas: 'This is a Critical Time for America'

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney with his newly-announced running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, for a victory rally where they campaigned as “America’s Comeback Team.”

“We don’t want America to become Europe with economic calamity at the door,” said Romney. “We need to take advantage of energy resources, oil and coal. We will make sure schools are focused on kids.”

Romney's stop in Manassas today was part of a bus tour of battleground states that started in Norfolk Saturday morning with Ryan's first speech as Romney's vice presidential pick. The bus tour will swing through Wisconsin and other states over the next few days.

Prior to Romney and Ryan taking the stage, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell spoke to the enthusiastic crowd at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas.

"We need the GOP, the great opportunity party of America," McDonnell said.

Many politicos believed McDonnell was somewhere on Romney's short list for vice president. Earlier this week in Dale City, McDonnell said he will be a .

Thousands Turn Out in Manassas

City of Manassas manager John Budesky said in a release Saturday evening that more than 10,000 people visited Manassas Saturday.

“An event of this magnitude is great for the City,” said Budesky. “We know that the City of Manassas is a fantastic place, and now so do the more than 10,000 people who visited today.”

Romney spoke of change, turning around the economy and removing the hindrance of “Obamacare” on small businesses.

Manassas and neighboring Manassas Park than surrounding Prince William County and Virginia, according to a County Health Rankings & Roadmaps study. 

Mitt Romney told small business owners gathered at his Saturday rally, who Romney said : "We're going to get rid of it."

Repealing the Affordable Care Act was one part of Ryan's proposals outlined in his “Path to Prosperity” proposal in March. The proposal also included reducing individual and corporate tax rates in addition to repealing many of President Obama’s policies.

Romney on Ryan’s Career

Romney agreed with his running mate Ryan, saying, “This is a critical time for America."

“Hope and change has now become attack and blame,” said Ryan of President Barack Obama’s campaign. Ryan spoke of turning the country around, and “getting things back on track.”

“He’s worked in Washington over the past 14 years,” Romney said of Ryan. “But you know what? In his heart he’s still Janesville, Wisconsin. ... Small town America still defines a great man like Paul Ryan."

“He didn’t go there with the ambition to become something big. He went there with the ambition to accomplish something big,” said Romney of Ryan's Washington career. “He’s taken a party and with his intellectual leadership has made us fight for things we believe in.”

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“Sometimes our party has gone astray over the past years. And Paul Ryan said we’ll bring it home and the things we care about. Make sure we care for our seniors, care for our kids and stop spending what we don’t have.” 

“Washington is a place where a lot of people get by just throwing stones at one another,” said Romney of Ryan. “He took another approach; he tried to reach across the aisle. He’s one of these people who believe honest people can have honest differences. “

Jeanne Carr came from Springfield to see Romney and Ryan; whom she thinks is “super good” and the pick she had in mind for a running mate.

“He has the experience and is articulate,” said Carr. “I think he can combat anything Biden says.”

Carr said she thought the economy was the biggest issue in the election.

Leo Mejia said Romney's background in the private sector would also be important, and, he believed the former Massachusetts governor would have to develop a plan for entitlement reform.

"Ryan is a strong choice to make this about big issues," Mejia said.

Romney: 'Five Things to Get Economy Going'

“When you have a country as prosperous as ours but 23 million people are out of work, or stopped looking for work or underemployed you know something is wrong,” said Romney.

Romney said Americans have “seen the product of the Obama plan.”

“It’s been executed over the past three-and-a-half years. It hasn’t worked. Middle income families are getting squeezed. People can’t find work,” said Romney.

Romney said there were five things he was going to do get the economy going. The first two things were energy independence through oil and coal, and making sure people have the skills to succeed.

“We will make sure the schools are focused on the needs of our kids and our parents and the teachers. The teacher’s union is going to have to take a backseat,” said Romney.

Romney wants to explore new trade ventures, “particularly in Latin America.” Romney also said he was going to cut spending and cut the deficit. 

“We are going to champion for small business,” said Romney. “Small businesses are worried about the cost of health care because of ‘Obamacare.’ We are going to get rid of ‘Obamacare.’”

“In some respects I think Obama disrespects the office by taking the campaign to the lowest point I can recall in my lifetime,” said Romney. “We are going to have a very different view.” 

Sherry Worthey from Arlington said she thought the victory rally was amazing. 

“I think he’s perfect choice,” Worthey said of Ryan. “We need a financial wizard we need someone who can turn [the economy] around.”

, Romney took 54 percent of the vote in the city of Manassas.

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