Jun 1, 2008 7:59 pm US/Mountain
Republicans Choose Delegates At Convention
BROOMFIELD, Colo. (CBS4) ―
Colorado republicans have chosen their presidential delegates and Senate candidate.
Thousands rallied at Saturday's GOP state convention where former presidential candidate Mitt Romney was the keynote speaker.
In the primaries, Romney carried Colorado, so it was no surprise the former Massachusetts governor received a warm welcome.
"Senator McCain wasn't my first choice for president, I was," Romney said.
But since Romney's no longer the GOP's first choice, many republicans mobbed him after his speech and want him as the second choice.
"You know this is all about getting Sen. McCain elected president. We're not talking about vice-president, I have no interest in speculating on that subject, we've had no discussions, he and I on that topic, whatsoever, Romney said.
In his speech, Romney seized upon a growing political issue -- energy independence.
"The democrats say no to nuclear power and no to coal power and no to additional drilling," he said.
Bob Schaffer, nominated as the GOP's candidate for U.S. Senate, has been waging a battle over energy with opponent Mark Udall. Schaffer argues Udall's approach is simplistic.
"Just move the plug over to an outlet that simply provides nothing but renewable energy and do this immediately, it is a long-term problem that requires a long term solution," Schaffer said
Despite the appearance of Ron Paul for president supporters parading on the convention floor as Romney spoke, Romney argued republicans will come together.
"I'm doing what I think has been done in our party for many, many decades and that is once our nominee is selected we get behind him," Romney said.
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