The Flyover View, "I Don't Have That Much Juice Anymore"
In his first two appearances on behalf of Barack Obama in Florida yesterday, the local press reported that Bill Clinton can still pack a venue. From the Orlando Sentinel:
"About 20 people -- students and non-students of all ages -- fainted Wednesday afternoon as Clinton gave a stump speech for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama outside the UCF Arena. Heat and humidity were to blame, and Orange County emergency workers treated the victims.
The speech, which was originally supposed to be held inside the UCF Arena, was moved outside in order to accommodate the 3,500 people who responded to the online RSVP to attend the speech. The arena only holds 2,000" (10/2).
It was the same story at his second stop of the day, in Ft. Pierce. But Clinton had an explanation for why all so many were catching the vapors. From Orlando's WFTV:
Clinton gave a similar speech in Fort Pierce later Wednesday before a crowd of several thousand at an outdoor waterfront event in sweltering heat where several people fainted.
"Someone just fainted, and I know its cause of the heat because at my age I know I don't have that much juice anymore," he said to laughter.
Clinton went to FL to shore up support for Obama among some still-reluctant ex-Hillary Clinton supporters. At least one voter at the rally was swayed by his message. From Orlando's WOFL-TV:
Jennise Belizaire, who became an American citizen on 9/30: "We feel in Florida that it was good that he came because it's almost the end and we need to get as many people as possible to vote. I was one of those undecided voters, but the last speech he made really got me" (10/1).
In Ft. Pierce, the local Dem. party hopes Clinton's visit will be a boon to Dem races up and down the ballot in the evenly-split state. From the Ft. Pierce Tribune:
Democrats are expecting Clinton’s appearance as a surrogate for Obama to energize Democratic supporters, helping other candidates in congressional, state and county races. Some local Democrats hope the visit will soothe the feelings of those who wanted Hillary Clinton to the be the party’s presidential candidate or at least the vice presidential nominee.
“This will be a big deal for people from Martin and St. Lucie, and there will probably be people coming down from Indian River and Okeechobee,” said David Dew, chairman of the Martin County Democratic Party.
But others were wishing another Clinton had showed. From the Sentinel:
Michael Farmer and Rob Thomas, two students from Valencia Community College, had been waiting since 8 a.m. "I would have rather seen Hillary," said Farmer. "Bill is great, but I'm really here to support Obama."
(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)
