Oklahoma Republicans cheer Romney during debate

Many at the event sponsored by the Oklahoma Republican Party cheered when former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney told President Barack Obama that he wasn't going to solve problems in the Middle East by attacking him.

Romney received applause when he said that America must be strong and lead in the world, and many applauded and cheered when he said he would support the development of small businesses in America. A big cheer went up when Romney said he would get rid of the national health care law, often called Obamacare.

Some scoffed when the president said America is stronger now than it was when he took office nearly four years ago.

“Romney laid out more of an agenda and made good points of what he would do and how he would accomplish his goals,” said Joyce Clark, 51, of Oklahoma City.

“I felt like Obama had more rhetoric.”

Many in the crowd of mostly 20-to-40-year-olds arrived early at the Fox and Hound Pub & Grille, 3031 W Memorial Road, to munch on vegetables, chips, crackers and cheese spread out on a covered pool table in a banquet room.