By OLIVIA IANNONE
Staff Writer
The front hallway of Communications High School this afternoon was the stage for Mitt Romney and her supporters as Taylor Walters took on the role of the Republican candidate for her first press conference.
Approximately a dozen Romney supporters circled around Walters, making for a notably smaller crowd than that of the Obama press conference Friday.
Walters had not prepared a statement, but rather stated her position on national issues through direct interaction with attendees. After several moments of prompting, she was able to encourage the audience to start talking. This approach to the press conference presented another sharp contrast with Obama’s appearance. Portrayed by senior Matthew Goldman, President Obama had planned his entire routine, including a speech, but interacted less with audience members.
Taylor Walters-Romney referenced the economy and job market as areas in dire need of improvement. If elected, her first priority will be to improve the economic situation using her “Five-Point Plan.” The plan will endeavor to create favorable conditions for middle-class Americans and small businesses.
“Small businesses are the engine that drives the economy,” said Taylor Walters-Romney.
Other high-priority goals for the CHS Mock Election Romney Campaign include reduction of taxes and the overall size of government, which she said would allow the economy to balance itself naturally and for wealth to trickle through the American people. The governor also promised to make the nation energy independent by using natural resources on US soil.
“We shouldn’t have to rely on countries whose beliefs and policies we don’t support,” she said of US independence on foreign oil.
The Republican candidate’s next scheduled appearance is the presidential debate Wednesday afternoon. Supporters say they are confident in Walter’s political knowledge and ability to argue from Romney’s perspective.
“Her element is going to be the debate,” said the Romney Campaign’s spokesman Kevin Milton of Hazlet.