Romney speech doesn't address Fla.-specific issues

At the Palm Beach County Convention Center, a calm and focused-looking Mitt Romney greeted hundreds of supporters for a rally. 

"Gosh, this feels like coming home to old friends. Thank you so much," he said to the crowd. 

Most people at the rally were Republicans, but a few Democrats, like voter Tony Cicoria, said they would support Romney as a candidate against President Barack Obama. 

"He has the ability to bring this country back to where I think we should be," Cicoria said. 

Thursday's event in West Palm Beach was the second of two official campaign events for the day. 

In Greer, S.C., the former Massachusetts governor talked up the advantages of state-run programs over those headed by the federal government. 

Romney also touted his private-sector business experience, despite receiving criticism over his tenure at Bain Capital in the 1980s and ‘90s. Last week, rival Rick Perry said the firm, which was charged with turning around corporations, acted like "vultures ... waiting for a company to get sick." 

Romney did not talk about Bain, nor did he acknowledge any of his critics. 

"You open new markets for American goods, and you crack down on cheaters like China that steal our intellectual property -- our designs and patents," he said.

Fresh off a primary win in New Hampshire, Romney is on a roll. 

A Quinnipiac University poll earlier in the week indicated that if the election were today, Romney would beat Obama in Florida. 

Romney took jabs at Obama as a wealth distributor and a job killer. 

"And that entitlement society would change the nature of America. That's why he has said he wants to fundamentally transform America. I don't want to transform America. I want to restore to America the principles that made us the hope of the earth," Romney said.

Romney's rally speech was mainstream Republican, focusing on fiscal responsibility, creating jobs with competitive tax rates and streamlining regulations. 

"So they want to invest here, grow here, build jobs here," he said. 

Romney may have been a hit with his Florida supporters, but he did not address any Florida-specific issues. 

He said, if elected president, he would want to take advantage of natural resources. 

"Oil, natural gas, coal -- it's time for us to be energy secure," Romney said. 

But he would not say to what extent he would support drilling. 

"Would you support drilling off the coast of Florida?" asked Local 10's Janine Stanwood. 

Romney did not answer, nor did he address any media. 

With more electoral votes in the Sunshine State than Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina combined, Romney will have to start answering questions soon. 

His campaign staff said he would be available on his next visit.