By Jill Gosche
Online Editor
jgosche@advertiser-tribune.com
Article Photos
PHOTO BY STEVE WILLIAMS
Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (left) and running mate Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan greet attendees Sunday afternoon during a campaign stop at the University of Findlay. To view other photos from this event, log on to cu.advertiser-tribune.com.
FINDLAY - Tiffin residents were among the crowd that chanted "nine more days," "U.S.A." and "Mitt" during a presidential campaign rally at University of Findlay Sunday afternoon.
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, his running mate Paul Ryan and other elected officials spoke during the rally at Ralph & Gladys Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex. Their schedule for Sunday also included stops in Celina and Marion.
Tiffin resident Bob Fittro, a registered Republican, said his family received an automated campaign call Saturday night about Romney appearing in Findlay with Ryan. The call said if family members wanted to go, they could reserve tickets for free.
"That's what we did. ... We wanted to take our son, Carter. He's 9," he said.
Fittro said he thought it would be a neat experience for Carter. He said he and his wife talk about politics at home and wanted Carter to have a chance to see what it is like to be at a rally. Carter, he said, knows who the president is and that Romney is running for president against him.
"I thought (the rally) was neat. ... It's always electric to go to something like that," he said.
Fittro, a business owner, recalled watching a video at the rally that explained Romney's life prior to marriage and about raising five sons, and he remembered hearing a story the presidential hopeful told about Boy Scouts, Challenger and selflessness. When people go to rallies, he said, they hear the same speech, and the theme is the same.
"(But the idea of selflessness) was something I never heard," he said.
Tiffin resident Chris Lewis attended the rally with his family and described it as energizing. He said he thought his children had a good time and enjoyed hearing the stories.
"We actually went to see Sarah Palin four years ago. ... We had the kids there," he said.
