SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – Presidential candidate Mitt Romney has made his way to Utah to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Olympics. While many Utahns are glad he is back, others say he’s trying to take all the credit.
The nostalgia of the 2002 Winter Olympics is clear in the eyes of people who gathered downtown to look back at what was achieved. Many point at one man for the success- GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney. “I think it’s neat he came back to celebrate,” said Glenda Bunn.
Romney fought for funding to make it all happen. “I think he really turned it around. The scandals and everything else that was going on and the debt and problems that were happening,” said Paul Anderson, another supporter.
Others say he did not save the Olympics entirely on his own. “I think he came in and picked it up and did what he had to do, but the problem I have is that he wants all the credit,” said Sydney Fonnesbeck, a former Salt Lake councilwoman.
Joe Hatch, former chair of the Salt Lake County Council, said Romney exaggerated his role. “He ran the Olympics as a moderate. Someone who reached out to all people and now he is running as this bang capital Republican,” he added.
Hatch said Romney now bashes the help he needed during that time. “Attacking government subsidies. He wanted government subsidies and it was government subsidies that made the Olympics successful,” commented Hatch.
Many Utahns believe those aren’t reasons big enough to change their minds. “He’s a good family man and he’s honest. I can believe him,” said Carol Harrison.
