GOP Bigwigs Attend Paul Ryan Fundraiser At Intrepid Museum

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Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan held his first fundraising trip to New York City on Monday, and spoke before hundreds that night at Manhattan's Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum.

Attendees told NY1 that the event was held to thank donors who gave $50,000 to the Romney campaign.

Guests at the Intrepid event included former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who introduced Ryan, as well as real estate mogul Donald Trump and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.

"It was a beautiful event, to have it on the Intrepid. This is a sacred place," said Giuliani.

The Republican presidential campaign may have tried to capitalize on the jolt in enthusiasm from Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's last debate performance.

The former mayor said, "Both Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan have seen big increases in enthusiasm, big increases in crowds. That was a pretty decisive victory for Governor Romney in that debate. The president didn't even seem to be able to explain his own policies."

"I don't have a big company, we're under 20 people and it's very rough when you have medical issues that we do to get good staff," said Geoffrey Bradfield, a Romney donor and an opponent of President Barack Obama's health care reform. "You have to spring for huge amounts of money, and we're not supported by the government at the moment."

Ryan campaigned in Ohio, a crucial swing state, earlier on Monday, while Romney prepped for Tuesday's presidential debate at Hofstra University.

Then, Ryan reportedly attended other high-profile fundraisers at the Waldorf-Astoria and the Hilton in Midtown, before going to the Intrepid.

By Monday night, it was unclear if the Romney campaign plans to return to the city before Election Day.