HENDERSON, Nev. -- Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney received a huge welcome in the Valley Wednesday evening.

The man who could be chosen as Sen. McCain's running mate stopped for a rally at the Henderson Convention Center.

It was a standing room only, and the biggest applause came when Rep. Jon Porter suggested a McCain-Romney ticket.

The former presidential candidate talked a little more than 20 minutes and stayed longer to shake hands and take photos with the crowd.

Romney shared stories about his Republican colleague, painting a picture of a down-to-earth candidate, telling the packed center that McCain is a master at the grill.

Romney spent the last few days in Denver at the Democratic National Convention.

He told the Henderson audience that Democrats are ignoring a big threat to the nation’s security.

“I kept waiting for someone to mention the phrase ‘radical violent Jihad’ or the evil of the world represented by … this extreme Islamic Jihadism. I didn't hear it. Maybe someone mentioned it. I didn't hear it. It's the greatest threat facing the civilized world, but they don’t even want to recognize it,” Romney said.

He also had a lot to say about Sen. Barack Obama, some good and some bad.

A couple of dozen protested outside the convention center Wednesday.

The group held signs bashing McCain and his policies.

The protestors said they want green jobs, a safe end to the war in Iraq and no nuclear waste in Nevada.

They said those things won't happen if McCain becomes president.