Lancaster — Mitt Romney emphasized patriotism in his keynote remarks to the Lancaster County GOP dinner, remarks that stayed fairly consistent with his standard stump speech.

“If we have leaders that’ll tell the truth, and live with integrity, and who know how to lead, and are willing to draw upon the patriotism of the American people, and ask them to rise, and join together – not to be divided but to come together – and overcome the challenges we face together, we will do so,” he declared.

In a speech that was strong, if standard, Romney repeatedly slammed President Obama – particularly his most prominent initiative in recent days.

“The President’s been out campaigning for the Buffett rule. And people took a look at that rule. This really was a gimmick. It wasn’t a serious proposal,” he said.

“The Buffett rule if it were put in place, the revenues would pay for government for 11 hours.”

As Dr. Terry Madonna noted, Romney avoided social issues – despite grassroots Lancaster Republicans’ strong emphasis on them.

Romney said Pennsylvania was vital to his election hopes, and thanked Gov. Tom Corbett and Sen. Pat Toomey for their support (Corbett has endorsed Romney immediately prior, at a private fundraiser in Harrisburg).

Romney virtually sewed up the GOP nomination when former Pa. Senator Rick Santorum dropped from the race last week.

Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Chester), who spoke later, gave Santorum a shout out for his strong stance on social issues.

Still trudging on is former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who also addressed the dinner.

Gingrich similarly focused on Obama and emphasized the importance of defeating him. But unlike previously on the trail, he didn’t cast himself as the candidate to do it – aside a short plug at the end.

“If we carry Pennsylvania in the fall, then Barack Obama can’t win the presidency,” he said.

He served red meat to the Lancaster crowd, accusing Obama of protecting religious liberties of enemies, but opposing them in the case of domestic U.S. Catholics and more.

“If the President is for prayer 5 times a day in school in Afghanistan, he should allow prayer 1 time a day in school in America,” he charged, to loud applause.

Gingrich didn’t throw punches afterward, either, specifically when asked about social issues.

“Frankly, I think it’s very important to get to a platform that brings us all together. And I suspect you’ll find on a lot of these issues that Romney will be pretty compatible.”

He was alternately bullish and acquiescent about his primary chances, saying he hoped to pick up delegates in Pa.

Senate hopeful Steve Welch spoke after Romney.

“I’m not going to let Bob Casey get away with saying he’s an independent voice. He is nothing more than a rubber-stamp for Barack Obama’s agenda,” he said.

Welch also took a swipe at Tom Smith, without saying his name.

“We’re being attacked by a candidate who has literally never voted in a Republican primary,” he said.

Welch enjoyed the other of benefits of his endorsement from the PAGOP – free rein to go table-to-table and visit attendees, hand out literature and more.

Two of his opponents also attended as private ticket-buyers, Sam Rohrer and Tom Smith. Smith also hosted an event in the convention center prior to the dinner.

The other PAGOP endorsed candidates spokes as well: Cumberland County DA Dave Freed, running for Attorney General and Rep. John Maher, running for Auditor General.

Washington Co. Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughn, running for Treasurer, did not attend.