If Friday’s crowd in Cedar Falls is any indication, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are going to do very well in eastern Iowa on Election Day. A raucous, standing room only crowd packed the University of Northern Iowa’s West Gym for Ryan’s visit.

◼ Congressional candidate Ben Lange summed up the situation perfectly. As the presidential race tightens in the final days of the campaign, it is becoming increasingly clear that Iowa’s six electoral votes could play a huge role in the outcome. Perhaps even the deciding factor. The direction of our country might rest in the hands of Iowans, particularly those who live east of Interstate 35. - Kevin Hall/The Iowa Republican

The crowd’s excitement boiled over. They were treated to a performance by John Ondrasik, the lead singer of popular rock band Five for Fighting. They also heard from several of Iowa’s most prominent GOP officials and candidates. However, the eastern Iowans saved their greatest enthusiasm for the headliner.