It was a who's who of the Republican Party in Basalt Thursday, including who they hope will be the next President of the United States.

Mitt Romney along with governors from around the country came to the town of less than 4,000 people to explain why he deserves that title.

Romney says, "We are taking back this country and keeping America the hope of the earth."

Voters from as far away as Texas waited in line for hours to see Mitt Romney address the standing room only crowd.

Michael Bair, a voter from Basalt says, “It’s neat.  Basalt is sort of next to Aspen but, still in the middle of nowhere.”

Linn Link, a voter from Aspen, says, “I'm really excited I’ve never seen Mitt Romney in person.”

And the Republican Governor didn’t disappoint. “We need a plan to help the middle class in America. The middle class is hurting. I am going to change that and get more jobs and more take home pay.”

Ten governors, in town for the Republican Governor's Association meeting in Aspen, also joined him at the event.

Mary Fallin, Governor of Oklahoma, says, “I can't spend more than I can take in. I have to balance my budget, and for the life of me I don't understand why President Obama doesn't get that. That's why we need you (Romney) in office."

Romney focused the panel discussion on the middle class and his plan it make it stronger. The ten governors talked about how they've seen his ideas work on a state level and they believe Romney is the person to bring these ideas to a national stage.

Bobby Jindal , Governor of Louisiana, says, “He wants to make sure that parents have an objective measure of how their children's schools are doing.  We put report cards in place in Louisiana.  It has transformed the debate, as parents are now in a position to demand excellence in their children's schools."

Romney is focusing on five areas, energy independence, improving education, and foreign trade. He also wants to cut the deficit down and cut red tape for small businesses.

Dave Moloney, a voter from Steamboat Springs, says, "He has a plan and that's what I wanted to hear. That's what I heard today, and I am looking forward to seeing that plan get implemented.”

And the Western Slope will be a big part of that plan. Romney wants to open more federal land to drilling, with the goal of becoming completely self-sufficient by the end of, what he hopes, is 8 years in office.

Gov. Romney says, "If we do those five things, we’re going to see this country's economy take off again. You're going to see the American people confident they are going to find a good job and if they work hard they can get a better job.”

Joshua Holdridge, a voter from Steamboat Springs, says “It's good to see someone that is going to be there for us.”

To read Mitt Romney’s full plan to strengthen the middle class click here.

Next week President Obama will have his turn to talk to Western Slope voters. He's planning a campaign stop in Grand Junction next week