Did Romney turn Sandy relief event into political rally?
Posted: 10.31.2012 at 11:03 AM
Mitt Romney  / FOX21: file photo
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DAYTON, OHIO -- On the heels of one of the worst storms in U.S. history, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney held a relief event for the victims on the east coast.

But it wasn't just any relief event in just any location.

Romney had planned to campaign in swing state Ohio Tuesday, and until Monday, the plans were still on. The campaign canceled all political events around noon that day because of the storm, but the campaign officials didn't want to lose a day of rallying in swing states with only a week to go before election day.

They quickly turned the event, which was at a high school gym, into a relief effort and told people to come with donations for the victims on the east coast. However, Romney's campaign officials didn't want the last-minute change of plans to result in an empty truck, so they went to Walmart Monday night and bought $5,000 worth of non-perishables.

According to The BuzzFeed, when supporters showed up to see the candidate Tuesday without donations, officials told them to "just grab something" from the Walmart pile and go in.

And According to the Washington Post, the Romney campaign video from the Republican National Convention played during the relief event.

The campaign confirmed they did donate items to the relief effort.

Ohio is one of a handful of swing states that will likely decide the election. Colorado is another, and President Obama plans to rally in Boulder Thursday, the same day Congressman Paul Ryan is scheduled to be in Greeley.

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