Senator Hillary Clinton Stumps for Barack Obama in Central Florida

PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida -- "Don't let your friends vote Republican," New York Senator Hillary Clinton told the crowd of more than 500 Barack Obama supporters on Saturday afternoon in Winter Park, Fla., during an Early Vote for Change Rally. Being a swing state with 27 electoral votes at stake, the former Democratic presidential candidate stressed why Florida needs Barack Obama as the next President of the United States. (View images of the event here. )

Under the Bush Administration, Florida now "leads the nation in job losses." Sen. Clinton told the Obama supporters Florida is second in the nation for housing foreclosures, how the area has seen "housing sales drop 50 percent and home values plummet. This is personal, Florida...this is about your future. This is why we want you to get out and vote for Barack Obama."

The crowd cheered, "Yes we can!"

Florida: A Vital Swing State for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election

With three days left until Election Day Florida, and particularly the I-4 Corridor (the interstate which runs from Daytona Beach to the Tampa Bay area), the Democratic and Republican Parties have been making their final campaign push. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin returned to the Tampa Bay area Saturday after holding a rally just last weekend in Tampa (see photos of the Republican vice presidential nominee here). Comedian Chris Rock held a free performance in Tampa Saturday to encourage Floridians to vote for Barack Obama. I was heading to the Chris Rock event when I learned of Sen. Hillary Clinton's appearance, adjusted the GPS and found a spot myself near the podium while she spoke.

Sen. Hillary Clinton encouraged the crowd to talk to those who haven't voted or those undecided to vote for Sen. Barack Obama. "We are in an economic crisis born and bred of failed Republican policies. In fact, I think it's fair to say George Bush has practiced what John McCain preaches."

Barack Obama: The Change America Needs

Under the Bush Administration, regulations have been cut, taxes for billionaires and corporations have been cut, jobs have been shipped overseas, the energy crisis and healthcare crisis have been ignored and it's more difficult for students to receive secondary education.

The former Democratic presidential candidate compared the eight years of the most recent Democratic President , Bill Clinton, to the last eight years of a Republican President, George W. Bush. Under the Clinton Administration, 22 million jobs were created, "more people were lifted out of poverty than any other time in recent history, the average family saw their income increase by $7,500, and the Democrats proved better stewards of your tax dollars because we ended with a balanced budget and surplus," Sen. Clinton said.

Compared to life under President George W. Bush, the "average American family lost $2,000...more people fell into poverty after they worked hard to get out. And, we have seen the worst job creation on record since the Great Depression," Sen. Hillary Clinton told the fired up crowd.

"And to top it all off, this Republican President has doubled the national debt," she added. Sen. Clinton elaborated on some of Barack Obama and Sen. Joe Biden's plan to stimulate the American economy. Under their plan, they propose a tax cut of $1,000 for families and $500 for individuals which equates to 95 percent of Americans who receive a paycheck of which, "8.7 million are working Floridians." Under Obama's plan, federal income tax will be eliminated for half a million Florida seniors who earn $50,000 or less annually.

As for business, tax breaks will end for insurance, drug and oil companies and "invest that money in new clean energy jobs which will be great for Florida's infrastructure" and grow the economy.

"You know what the slogan of the campaign should be? Jobs, baby, jobs!" Sen. Clinton said.

The crowd cheered "Jobs, baby jobs!" with her.

Sen. Hillary Clinton wrapped up her 20-minute speech with, "It is time to change course, Florida. And it's time to make a difference. It's time to elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States."

Sen. Hillary Clinton: Encourages Central Florida Voters to Support Local Democrats

Along with stumping for Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Sen. Clinton acknowledged Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-Jacksonville) and Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart and Bill Segal. She encouraged Central Florida voters to support Senator Darren Soto (D-FL) and the Democratic nominee for Florida's 8th District, Alan Grayson. "With your help he will go to congress and be part of President Obama's team to make the changes that Florida and America need."

Sen. Clinton also recognized Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart who held an "Obamanaut" sign. The event took place at the Winter Park Community Center at 721 W. New England Ave. Sen. Clinton thanked the additional thousands of Obama supporters who were outside.

Source:

Early Vote for Change Rally, Winter Park Community Center, Winter Park, Florida, Nov. 1, 2008