Romney wows 7,000+ strong Asheville crowd, gets the support of Rev. Billy Graham

Just a little bit ago, I got done livetweeting the Romney / Ryan rally held earlier this evening in Asheville, NC (also known as Liberalville, NC to yours truly). Β Media reports had indoors being over 7,000 and there was jumbotron outside for the overflow crowd (I don’t know the numbers but I did see pictures of people standing outside to watch it).

Romney hit on some good themes, hammered the administration’s response and blame game tactics on the Benghazi terrorist attack, promoted states rights and his economic plan, once again pledged to repeal ObamaCare and joked about how he enjoyed last week’s debate very much. :)

My only objection to the rally was when Speaker Boehner spoke and announced he was wearing “Carolina blue” for the Tarheel state. Grrr. ;)

Not only was the rally a success, if the attendance numbers and crowd reaction were any indication, but Romney got a big boost today from visiting the Rev. Billy Graham and his son Rev. Franklin Graham at the elder Graham’s home in nearby Montreat:

ASHEVILLE, N.C. β€”Β Mitt Romney asked the Rev. Billy Graham for his prayers Thursday and the ailing evangelist came through by praying with the Republican presidential candidate and offering his support.

The 30-minute meeting between the world-renowned Christian leader and Romney could provide the former governor with a major boost among evangelical Christians skeptical of supporting the first Mormon nominated for president.

Graham, 93, and Romney prayed at the end of their previously unannounced meeting held at Graham’s estate in Montreat, which is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains 18 miles east of Asheville. Graham’s son, Franklin Graham, joined the meeting. It was the first time that Romney had met the elder Graham, but he first met Franklin Graham in 2006.

[…]

During Thursday’s meeting, campaign aides said that Graham told Romney that he considered his father, George Romney, a friend. He also recalled that he held his first crusade in Grand Rapids Michigan in 1947 β€”Β the same year that the former governor was born.

The meeting was closed to reporters, but photographers and television producers were permitted to record its final moments. As they entered, Romney appeared to be discussing the death of his father, George Romney.

[…]

Graham then asked Romney what he could do to help.

β€œPrayer is the most helpful thing you can do for me,” Romney said. β€œAnd what you’re planning, what your son has shown me is going to be very very helpful. And I appreciate that. Its going to be terrific.”

Graham, Franklin Graham and Romney then prayed and as the meeting ended, campaign aides said that Graham told Romney: β€œI’ll do all I can to help you. And you can quote me on that.”

Amen to that, Rev. Graham! Β A photo from their meeting:

Romney and the Grahams
Mitt Romney meets with the Rev. Billy Graham and son Franklin Graham at the Graham home in Montreat, N.C. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

I’m starting to get a good feeling about Romney and NC – not making any predictions, but I feel the tide is turning …

As always, stay tuned!

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