EAGAN, Minn. -- Fresh off his big Florida win, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney strode into an Eagan warehouse surrounded by more than 400 supporters. He was hit by a glitter bomb and took it in stride. "Who threw the glitter? Hi there! This is confetti. We just won Florida," he said, flanked by his wife Ann.
The former Governor of Massachusetts talked about the economy and creating jobs, and mentioned President Obama by name several times. He did not, however, mention his closest opponent in the race, Newt Gingrich.
"America needs a leader who understands how the economy works," Romney told the enthusiastic crowd more than once.
Standing outside All Pro Turf and Horticulture Supply in Eagan, Minneapolis Mayor and DNC Vice Chair R.T. Rybak talked about President Obama's administration, saying the economy is getting better.
"It's between a President who fights for the middle class and it's between Mitt Romney who has always stood up for one single thing: tax cuts for those at the very top," Rybak said.
Before the rally, KARE 11 sat down with Romney and asked him how struggling Minnesotans are supposed to relate to a highly successful and wealthy businessman.
"Help is on its way," Romney said. "If [Minnesotans] want a person who has demonstrated success in turning around enterprises, in helping turn around an Olympics and helping turn around a state, then I'm the person who has that experience."
We also asked him if former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who has been very involved in the Romney campaign, can expect a position in Washington if Romney wins the election. "It's a little presumptuous for me to talk about what role someone would have in my administration but Tim and Mary are good friends," he said.
After a 15 and a half minute speech, and a patriotic sing-along, Romney left the Eagan warehouse on his way to Nevada for this weekend's caucus. Minnesota's caucus is next Tuesday.
"Minnesotans are going to hear a lot of things about me - some true, some not true. What I hope they focus on is that I am a conservative businesses person," he concluded.
"He's been a very effective leader for his state and for the Olympics and he didn't spend his whole life in Washington DC," Pawlenty said as Romney passed him on his way out the backdoor, giving him two thumbs up.
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