Packed House Views RNC in Windham

There was no shortage of food or smiling faces in Windham on night two of the Republican National Convention, as one local businessman invited dozens into his establishment for a massive viewing party.

At least 60 people crowded into the basement of A.J. Letizio Sales and Marketing to watch the event, cheering loudly when Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, on the wall-mounted flat screen.

Similar cheers from the viewing audience continued as Hudson businessman Jack Gilchrist took the stage.

Al Letizio Jr., owner of the business, muted the television just before Ayotte's address, referring to all of his guests as "neighbors," citing that as  the reason why he took the time to cook food for everyone.

Massive dinner plates for all those in attendance were whipped up beforehand in Letizio's equally massive downstairs kitchen.

His business, located just off I-93, specializes in food industry sales and marketing.

"I'm a business person, I'm a person who is employing other people," Letizio said. "I have a President who does not seem to be connected with that idea. He doesn't seem to get who I am."

While speaking with the audience, Letizio drew cheers after he described how his family immigrated to the United States 100 years ago and built their business at that time. He took that time to reference what has become a tagline of Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

"We do have a business, and I do believe we built our business," Letizio said.

Letizio got himself some national attention when he invited several protesters to hold signs with the "We Did Build It" slogan as President Obama's motorcade cruised down Route 111 on Aug. 18. Obama was headed to a campaign appearance at Windham High School.

Other faces in the crowd at the viewing party included 2008 Congressional nominee Jennifer Horn, state representatives Mary Griffin, R-Windham, and Marilinda Garcia, R-Salem, and several members past and present of Windham town boards.