Romney speaks at Portsmouth event

WAVY TV

Updated: May 3, 2012 7:31 PM

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Mitt Romney and Governor Bob McDonnell held an event in Portsmouth Thursday.

The event took place at Crofton Industries, located at 16 Harper Ave.

Photos: Romney visits Portsmouth

Crofton Industries is a family-owned business with marked job growth - a target audience for Romney's campaign.

10 On Your Side's Andy Fox was at the event, at which Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) endorsed Romney as the Republican presidential candidate.

"I am here to lend my voice and my endorsement to Mitt Romney as our President to take our country back," Bachmann said.

It didn't take long for the gloves to come off, with Romney hitting President Obama on jobs and the economy.

"Obama says he measures success by creating jobs to pay mortgages," Romney said at the event. "Well, he hasn't been creating jobs, and by a record number people haven't been able to pay mortgages."

Romney got big applause when talking about balanced budgets.

"I will get America on the road to have a balanced budget, and the first and easiest program I will eliminate is Obama care," Romney said to huge applause.

Not everyone was excited about Romney's appearance in Hampton Roads, though.

A group of about 25 protesters, organized by Sen. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth, were on site today to protest Romney's appearance and show support for President Barack Obama.

"(President Obama) is the man because no one else has been able to do it," Lucas said. "He's pulled us out of one of the worst recessions since the Depression. We can't trust (Romney) to stay with whatever position he gives us on any given day."

Andy Fox had a one-on-one interview with Mitt Romney and Gov. Bob McDonnell Thursday afternoon.

Video: Mitt Romney speaks with WAVY.com

He asked about Vice President Joe Biden saying in an interview with WAVY.com in early April that Romney's out of touch.

"I think I and a lot of other people are out of touch with Barak Obama," Romney replied. "Policies of this President 23 million Americans way underemployed. Unemployment is above eight percent, and has been for 38 straight months."

The Obama campaign floats this number, 25 straight months of job growth in the private sector.

The numbers are not in favor for Mitt Romney. He cannot win in November without winning Virginia and North Carolina which lean Republican, and Romney knows it.

"This may well be the State that decides this election, so you have to get your neighbors to listen to what you have to say," Romney told the crowd.

Many reasons the rally was held at Crofton Industries, it is family owned, employs 100 workers, and would likely get work with off-shore drilling. Romney attacked President Obama's energy policy.

"Right here in Virginia, the idea that powerful energy is right off the coast, that we can create good jobs with good wages, and provide needed resources, and this President says, 'no'."

Copyright 2013 WAVY TV. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Political Pulse