Ryan Raises $1.2 Million in Springfield Fundraiser; Protesters Line Street

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- About 50 community members protested outside Rep. Paul Ryan's fundraising event in Springfield Thursday.

Ryan met with over 300 regional supporters for a private fundraiser at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center (2546 North Glenstone).

The event was closed to the general public. Tickets ranged from $1,000 to $25,000 and were by invitation only. Sources inside the event say organizers announced $1.2 million was raised for the Romney-Ryan campaign by the Springfield gathering. 

Ryan spoke for about 10 minutes, with the economy and national debt the primary themes.

See also: WEB EXTRA: Photos Inside Ryan Fundraiser

Ryan, making the Romney campaign's first visit to Missouri since the state's Republican U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin became embroiled in a national controversy regarding his comments on rape, made no mention of the Senate race. Instead, he spoke generally about wanting an "affirming election" that gives Republicans the presidency and majorities in both houses of Congress.

Outside the venue, the Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition gathered a group of local truck drivers, retirees, and construction workers to stage a rally.  MoveOn.org members also planned to protest the event.

The Greene County Sheriff had deputies standing nearby after Ramada hotel security asked protesters to move off the sidewalk in front of the hotel.

Pro-Vote says the protest highlights the policies that Paul Ryan has proposed and Mitt Romney supports to make the top one percent richer at the expense of working families.

The Romney-Ryan ticket counters that claim by saying its plan will provide 12 million new jobs, higher take-home pay and a brighter future for the middle class.