Romney Draws Huge Crowd at Greer Rally

By 7:20 a.m. in Greer, parking near Cherokee Trikes & More was already starting to become scarce.

Passersby might have thought they were having an incredible sale, if it hadn't been for the satellite trucks and the TV reporters doing remotes from in front of the business on Highway 14.

The crowd was fired up. Cheering loudly, waving signs and clapping at the mere mention of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's desire to limit President Barack Obama to a one-term presidency.

"Obama keeps saying change is coming... it's coming," Romney told the crowd.

Romney's speech largely focused on reducing the role of the federal government by cutting spending and repealing Obamacare. He also discussed strengthening the military and creating jobs.

"Obama has failed to get people to work," Romney said, after outlining his plan to get Americans back to work.

Inside the business, people stood shoulder-to-shoulder hoping to get close enough to ask Romney for an autograph.

Some came because they supported the presidential hopeful, who is coming off his second early voting win with a victory in New Hampshire on Tuesday. Others hoped the would hear something that would help them to make up their mind about which candidate would get their vote.

Joe Lilley of Greer likes to keep an open mind about things. He said he hasn't made a decision about who he will support in the South Carolina primary on Jan. 21, but said he wanted to hear what Romney had to say.

"I came out today to show my daughter democracy in action," Lilley said. "I'm keeping an open mind, but I'm not totally convinced, there's a lot of things going on here. The whole jobs situation... by the promise jobs."

Lilley said that jobs are needed, but he said it's jobs that pay a liveable wage are what's really needed.

"I have a really good friend, he's losing his house, nothing has changed for him in the last three years, but his money doesn't go far enough," Lilley said.

Lilley said as a small business owner, he's also a believer in healthcare and that the costs are out of control. He said he didn't hear anything today, that makes him feel there would be any change.

"There has to be a way to rein in expenditures, like fuel, combined with getting people jobs that pay livable wages for things to work," he said.

"You can give everybody a job, but if it doesnt pay enough to support three kids, buy a house, the American dream, all those things Gov. Romney talked about, I'm not sure it's the solution."

Christian Burton of Mauldin brought his two children out to hear Romney speak in Greer. He said he was trying to decide who to vote for between Romney and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

"I liked his focus on the economy," Burton said. "He talked about creating jobs being a job creator, I think he won my vote."

Teresa Hamlin of Taylors said that she just moved to South Carolina a few years ago. She said her family is very conservative and that Romney already was her choice before hearing him speak today.

"He has electability," Hamlin said. "I think he's the guy to beat Obama. He talks about jobs and he has a plan to get them. Obama said he's be out if he couldn't produce, Romney is that reinforcement to get him out of office."