North Florida welcomes Obama

North Florida welcomes Obama

By SJC

The crowd was extensive, deafening, and overcome with excitment when Barack Obama moved across the grassy field Saturday afternoon.

Economy and the mortgage crisis were the topics of choice for the Senator. Attendance was

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama arrives in Jacksonville Saturday.  Photo by Carla Jones

estimated at 20,000, including those who were standing outside, unable to join the packed audience.

When Obama took center stage he opened his speech about recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Terrorist had killed 45 civilians and injured 250 in an early morning bombing. He asked the crowd to remember their country in prayers and thought.

Obama lashed out at his opponent, Republican John McCain, for saying the "fundamentals of the economy are strong" during a campaign stop in Jacksonville on Monday. He talked about job losses, stating statistics that have nearly 600,000 people on unemployment. This statement was coming just days after northeast Florida jobs losses surpassed the national average.

"This week the stakes are high," he told supporters. "This is the crisis of our generation." Referring to Monday’s worse market loss since September 11th, he told the crowd the

When Obama took center stage he opened his speech about recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan.  Photo by Carla Jones

economic news was troubling.

"The dream so many generations have fought for is slipping away."

Obama called McCain a "deregulator," and blamed his ideas on economics part of  the reasoning behind the market meltdown.

He promised the crowd a change to what he termed a broken Washington. Stating the economy was an immediate crisis. His plan for America was to analyze how Wall Street affects Main Street.

He also told the crowd he would give tax breaks to companies that would generate jobs in Florida, as opposed to companies sending jobs overseas.

Protestors were at a minimum. A small plane flying by dragged a banner reading, "Florida is

The crowd was excited to say the least. Photo by Carla Jones

McCain and Palin Country." Another plane advertised a banner reading, "Raising taxes is not patriotic."

Despite the large turn out at Saturday's rally, pollsters haven't called either Obama or McCain. They are at a lock for Florida's 27 electoral votes.

Congressman George Nelson was one of the guest speakers. Photo by SJC

 

 

 

 

Attendance was estimated at 20,000, including those who were standing outside, unable to join the packed audience.    Photo by SJC