Georgia Trump supporters fire back at Romney

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - Donald Trump supporters fired back at Mitt Romney Thursday after the former GOP nominee urged conservatives not to vote for the billionaire in the primary. 

"If we Republicans choose Donald Trump as our nominee, the prospects for a safe and prosperous future are greatly diminished," Romney said in a speech in Utah. "He's playing the members of the American public for suckers.  He gets a free ride to the White House and all we get is a lousy hat."

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Lori Pesta, Trump's Cherokee County campaign chair, watched Romney's remarks from her home in Towne Lake and said Romney had no business commenting after his failed presidential bids. 

"If Mitt Romney or any other 'establishment' person is coming out to speak against Donald Trump, that just makes him stronger," said Pesta.

Her husband watched the speech with friends at Maxwell's Cigar Bar in Woodstock and said he was surprised to see Romney speak negatively of another republican. 

"I voted for him in the last election," said Charles Pesta. "Now he disappoints me."

Romney focused his attacks on Trump's personality and what he called his "third grade theatrics."

"He's not of the temperament of the kind of stable, thoughtful person we need as leader," Romney said. "This is the very brand of anger that has lead other nations into the abyss."

Lori Pesta, however, said the personas of Romney and other "establishment" candidates have failed to energize the American people.

"Well, the temperaments that we've had in the past haven't done any good," said Pesta. "So, I think it's high time we get some strong leadership into the White House that can really kick some butt, as we say in Georgia, and get the job done."