(RALEIGH) -- Thirteen-hundred GOP supporters spent hours in a hot and crowded warehouse in Raleigh on Wednesday, but they did not mind. They were there to catch a glimpse of Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's pick for his vice-presidential running mate.

Marilyn Flanary of Durham waited inside for three hours. She said Ryan gives her hope for the future.

"I think he's fantastic. I'm excited about him. He gives us a new, fresh hope that we can see a better future for our families," said Flanary.

Protesters who stood outside the rally said Ryan is part of what they call the Republican party's war on women. They accuse Ryan of being in lockstep with controversial Missouri congressman Todd Akin, whose recent comments about rape outraged many across the country.

Gerrick Brenner of Progress NC Action said they are critical of legislation Ryan co-sponsored with Akin. "Both of them co-sponsored a bill in Congress that would ban abortions in cases that were not forcible rape. I mean, that's basically what this is," said Brenner.

Ryan called Akin personally and asked him to drop out of the Missouri Senate race after Akin made his controversial comments. Ryan will play to another audience on Wednesday when he discusses defense issues in Fayetteville, the home of Fort Bragg.