Former Gov. Mitt Romney was joined by two conservative heavyweights — former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and Speaker of the House John Boehner — as he fired up a full-house crowd during an Oct. 11 Victory Rally at downtown Asheville’s U.S. Cellular Center.

His visit to the so-called “Paris of the South” followed closely on the heels of Vice President Joe Biden, who spoke at UNC Asheville’s Justice Center on Oct. 2. Biden’s appearance filled all of the 1,100 seats, as well as an overflow room with 200 people, for a total attendance estimated by UNCA officials at 1,320 people.

For Romney’s visit, the much-larger civic center had no empty seats, and Robert Reid, North Carolina communications director of the Romney for President office, told the Daily Planet afterward that there were “about 10,000” people at the rally, with 7,500 in the civic center and 2,500 in the overflow room, the ThomasWolfe Auditorium.

What’s more, the Daily Planet received reports that a number of people who lined up to attend the rally were turned away, when all of the seats were filled. They, therefore, could not be counted in Romney crowd counts.

Reid’s 10,000-people turnout estimate was significantly higher than then “more than 7,000” reported in the Mountain Xpress, and the “7,600 who packed the Asheville arena,” according to the Hendersonville Times-News.

When Romney emerged to to give his 20-minute address, the civic center crowd erupted into a thunderous cheer that made his first few words — apparently greeting the audience — inaudible. 

“Based on what I’m seeing here tonight, I’m going to go out on a limb and predict we’re going to win North Carolina!” Romney said in his first easily audible words. The crowd broke into loud cheers, again.

Romney then noted that he had experience his “dream of a lifetime by meeting wth (the Rev.) Billy Graham” during his stop-off at the world-renowned evangelist’s home in nearby Montreat just before his speech in downtown Asheville.

“Now I enjoyed my debate about a week ago” (Oct. 3) in the first of three debates with Obama, Romney said. “That was a good experience.” The crowd applauded loudly.

Romney added that the Oct. 3 debate gave him the opportunity to ask Obama “questions I know people across America have been asking him. For instance, why is it, with 23 million Americans out of work or stopped looking for work, (that) he spent his first two years working on Obamacare? I asked him why it was that, with trillion-dollar deficits, he put $90 billion into green energy companies?

“And I’ve got a feeling I’m going to enjoy the debate tonight,” he said, referring to the vice presidential debate.

“On Nov. 6, we’re going to” decide the future direction of the nation, which, he said is obviously going in the wrong direction.

He added that Obama had said that “‘you know you can’t change Washington from the inside,’ but from the outside, well, we’re here to challenge him on that.

“Against that backdrop we’ve got a president talking about saving Big Bird (from the children’s television show “Sesame Street”) ... I think he ought to be talking about saving the American family.”

Romney also lambasted Obama for saying that the GOP ticket had politicized the execution of an ambassador and three other Americans in Libya. He said the administration’s response shows that it does not understand the threats facing the nation.

“They said this and I quote: ‘The entire reason this has become the political topic it is, is because of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.’ No, President Obama, it’s an issue because this is the first time in 33 years that a United States ambassador has been assassinated.

“Mr. President, this is an issue because we were attacked successfully by terrorists on the anniversary of 9/11. President Obama, this is an issue because Americans wonder why it was it took so long for you and your administration to admit that this was a terrorist attack”

Romney reiterated, “This is a very serious issue. These are very serious questions, and the American people deserve serious anwers and I hope they come soon.”

Romney’s reference was to remarks made by the president’s deputy campaign manager, Stephanie Cutter, who was questioned by CNN earlier that day when she said, “The entire reason that this has become the, you know, political topic it is, is because of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. It’s a big part of their stump speech and it’s reckless and irresponsible what they’re doing.”

At first, the Obama administration blamed the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, on sudden protests over an anti-Muslim film produced in the U.S. 

However, it soon became apparent that the attack that led to the death of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans was the result of a planned terrorist assault.

Questions have been raised about the administration’s delay in labeling the incident an act of terrorism. Also, pundits are asking why the diplomatic mission was not sufficiently protected.

“This is an issue... because it took your administration so long to admit that it was a terrorist attack,” Romney told the crowd.

In contrasting himself with Obama, Romney said, “We have very different visions for the future of America.”

He said Obama, if re-elected, is planning to raise taxes that will cost the U.S. economy 700,000 jobs.

In contrast, Romney said, “I make this pledge: I will not raise any taxes” on small businesses or the middle class. Moreover, he asserted, “I will repeal and replace Obamacare ... I will restore Medicare for our seniors.

“I will not cut our defense funding” and will “make sure we have a military second to none in the world,” he said.

Romney added that his focus will be one “How to get more jobs ... more people working ... more take-home pay.”

Jabbing Obama, Romney said, “He calls his plan ‘Foreward.’ I call it ‘Forewarned.’ We don’t want to go down that road any more. This president says he wants to fundamentally change America. I don’t want to change America. I want to restore the principles that made America great. This nation’s economy.”

Later, he said, “A friend of mine said he (Obama) doesn’t want to pick winners and losers — just losers.” Romney added that Obama’s policies are losers.

Contrary to Obama’s assertions, “this nation’s economy is not driven by government, but by free people pursuing their dreams,” he said.

“Our founders ... I think they were inspired, saying our rights were not from men, but from God.”

“I don’t want to change America’s foundation ... I want to make it stronger.”

Romney then reviewed his five-point plan for a stronger middle class to restore America, if he is elected, which includes:

• Energy independence — “Take full advantage of coal, oil and gas” to fuel the economy.

• Trade that works for America — “Make sure trade works for us.” Romney noted that he will level the playing field “when people cheat — like China has.”

• The skills to succeed — “Make sure people have the skills they need” to be employable. Romney added that he wants to ensure that “schools are performing” and to put kids and teachers first — and teacher unions behind.”

• Champion small business — “I want to help small businesses grow and thrive — by keeping taxes down. There’s a big cloud hanging over small businesses — and that’s Obamacare.” Romney said he would  repeal Obamacare and replace it — with bipartisan support — with a more feasible national health care system.

• Cut the deficit — Get small businesses to hire and grow in America. To do that, we need to convince them our country is not on the road to Greece,” meaning looming bankruptcy. Romney said cutting the deficit will send the right message to entrepreneurs.

“We can create 12 million jobs” through his plan, Romney asserted. “You care about America — and that’s what brings me here” to Asheville.

“I’ve had the opportunity in my life to see the character of the American people” and he said he was impressed. “These are big hearts,” Romney said in closing.

Later that evening, local GOP sources said Romney had dinner at Asheville’s Grove Park Inn, where he slept overnight, before departing the next morning to resume his campaigning.