Mitt Romney welcomed by the Tea Party Express

Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks at a Tea Party Express rally, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011 in Concord, N.H.

/ AP/Jim Cole

CONCORD, N.H. -- Mitt Romney's inaugural tea party went off Sunday evening with hardly a hiccup.

In the capital of the state that will hold the nation's first presidential primary next year, about 250 people gathered at Rollins Park to see Romney make his first appearance at a tea party event since announcing his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. Off to the side: A group of 40 or so Romney supporters--including one dog--wearing the candidate's trade make blue Romney "Believe in America" t-shirts, some of which came from boxes the campaign had on hand. They mobbed him when he came on stage but dispersed at the candidate's request "so my friends in the back have a chance to see."

He was joined on stage at first by his wife, Ann. She joked that after his last campaign--a 2008 run for the White House--she said she would never do it again. But, she added, she also said that after each pregnancy. The couple has 5 children.

Romney's 15-minute speech focused on themes calculated to appeal to his audience's views limiting the role of government.

"Our founders gave us political freedom," he said, "this is the greatest nation in the history of the earth in part because of these founding parents who understood the power of that freedom, and we're going to make sure we keep it."

He also spoke of his strong belief in the Constitution and the power states should have to compete against each other, joking about California's then-governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, trying to poach Massachusetts jobs while Romney was the Bay State's chief executive.

As he has in his other stump speeches, he touted his experience as a businessman and job creator. Romney did not mention any of his rivals for the Republican nomination, some of whom have more ardent Tea Party support.

Romney's tea party debut drew skeptics as well as supporters.

"I like Mitt, but it's time to quit," read the sign that Ralph Zazula carried. The tea party supporter drove 100 miles from his home in Massachusetts to carry it at the rally despite having voted for Romney for senator and governor. Zazula said he's not convinced that Romney would fully embody tea party ideals as president.

"The most critical issue that we're faced with right now is restraining the size of government," Zazula said. And Mitt is a guy who is less likely to reduce the size of goverment as much as the other candidates, or my fear is that he might continue to allow it to grow."

A small protest before the event, organized by the tea party-affiliated FreedomWorks was sparsely attended and lasted only about eight minutes. One speaker stood in front of a sign that read "Romney = Rino," a term frequently used by tea partiers to deride "Republicans In Name Only."

One young man took the microphone and denounced the health care plan that Romney signed when he was governor of Massachusetts. Like the federal law that President Obama signed, it requires individuals to have health insurance coverage. "Does Romneycare violate individual responsibility?" the speaker said. "Yes it does, as a mandate to buy insurance. Does Romneycare violate free markets, yes it does. Does Romneycare expand government, yes it does. So the Tea Party stands in direct opposition to Mitt Romney's record."

In a phone interview FreedomWorks president Matt Kibbe called Romney's appearance at the tea party rally "blatantly opportunistic" and suggested that the governor decided to reach out to tea party supporters "now that he's falling behind in the polls." Recent surveys have shown Texas Gov. Rick Perry threatening to topple Romney from his status as the GOP field's frontrunner. Kibbe said Romney's record on health care, environmental regulation and government spending is at odds with tea party views. Tea partiers are not looking for a "typical pat on the head," Kibbe said. "They are really interested in where he stands on policy."

At the Concord event, however, the crowd listened politely and intently to Romney's speech. One of the organizers, Tea Party Express Chair Amy Kremer, said the group was "happy to have him." Her organization does not support or oppose any of the presidential candidates, she said, but wants to provide a platform for voters to hear ?who has the best ideas and solutions to turn the economy around and get us back on the path to prosperity."

Kremer said the organization has extended speaking invitations to all of the Republicans currently running, and has heard back from all but one--Rep. Ron Paul. "Honestly, it's quite frustrating to us," she said of the group's so far fruitless efforts to obtain a speaking commitment from the Texas congressman.

On Monday, Sarah Palin is scheduled to speak at another New Hampshire tea party rally. The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, who has said she's considering a presidential run this year, is to address a noontime gathering in Manchester.

[oldman67]

If Obama is re-elected the Constitution will be replaced with the UN Charter. China is alreadly purchasing parts of America. Obama want to make illegals citizens. Open the borders and outsource more jobs.Probaby more programs taxpayer can't afford.Private penisons are in danger of being seized by the government. Our 401K's aren't safe either.The government is desperate.obamaCare was a tax on the taxpayers backs.What concerns me most is the fact Obama mentioed martial law.He does have that option.It will depend on wheather the CFR wants someone else in the Whitehouse or not in 2013.

[oldman67]

We need to get past the gender and the race and research each canidate to find out who is best for America. Questions like who is behind their campaign. What is their voting record. How do they feel about issues important to voters? Their couldn't have been a lot of research done on Obama. I can't believe so many would have voted for Obama if they knew all the socialist organizations that George Soros was funding to back Obama. Since 95% of blacks voted for Obama and the Black Caucus reported they expect 95% in 2012 we can look for no help there. It is a little diffuclt to understand because blacks have double the unemployment rate.Young voters voted for Obama with 68% and they have the highest unemployment rate. Maybe both groups are waiting for the change Obama promised in 2008 to happen 2012-2013.

[tsigili]

This format allowed much better insight into Romney, than all of his previous campaigns combined.

[rickstas]

The scumbaggers hate Obamacare and Romneycare. They like Bush's version -- don't care.

[afmcalax]

I wonder if the moron from Freedom Works even has health insurance? If not, will he either pay from his own pocket or dies quietly if he requires it or will he then expect society to pick up his tab for being irresponsible? That is the one question the morons of the Tea Party never answer. If they have no health insurance when they could have paid a nominal amount into universal health care, can society let them die for being stupid and a burden?

[tafhdyd]

The classic argument that the right wing nut jobs, right wing radio/tv mouths and the like avoid like the plague.
If all the right wing blow hards that bash the system would grow some cojones and refuse to take any of the social care they will get with SS and medicare, there would be no talk of default in a few years.

[cmwinter1]

philpenn345...what exactly do you have against Perry? Are you from Texas? I am interested, not critical. You keep saying he lies...about what?

[greenlantern1]

The Constitution was ratified in 1789.
The Book of Mormon was written in 1820.
Did our Founding Fathers get a sneak preview?
Clifford Spencer

[Lindag10]

I heard Sarah had over 600 at HER event today. Guess the Tea Partiers aren't all that thrilled with Romney, probably has something to do with his magic underwear.

[hsinco-2009]

Evangelicals think Mormonism is a cult.

I guess I agree with them (as sick as that may be to agree with Evans about anything!)!

[bantamei]

All of the Republican candidates are shills of the rich and corporations. They don't give a damn about the country, just the Republican party and their rich constituents. The middle class can disappear as far as they are concerned and they are working to that end.

[avgctzn50]

bantamei's comment and the ttaoin reply are both outrageous. Why demonize each other so much? This isn't a sporting event. It's our country and we are all really on the same side.

[1pheasant1]

by wasadem1 September 5, 2011 3:02 PM EDT

Many voted for him to prove that they were not a racist.

******************************************************

Some make comments like this to prove they are a racist.

[philpenn345]

I did not vote for Obama, does that make me a racist? How absurd. My ire is towrds the comment you refer to 1pheasant, though you may also have stepped into the sort of muddled mindset that makes no sense when the entire ! country is in need of solutions. All politics, genders, races etc.

I think wasadem is referring to some cutesy sigh about racism and idiocy. With that kind of sloganeering, instead of action, I worry about the fate of not only the party (R), but the country.

[hsinco-2009]

I worry about the fate of the country because of the GOP.

[PVperson2]

Come on people, put this in prospective, there were 250 people at this event, hoopie dippie do.

[philpenn345]

Please don't rub it in. I have to see how many have come out to see Perry before I toss and urn at night.