Obama's second trip to Florida since the state helped seal his 2008 election had the feel of an ambitious campaign swing, with stops scheduled in three far-flung cities. On Tuesday he is set to attend the opening of one of the nation's largest solar energy plants in Arcadia, a small town in Central Florida.
The ground Obama plans to cover reflects the changing landscape since the freshly inaugurated president came to Fort Myers in February to pitch his economic stimulus plan. His poll numbers are down, unemployment is up and healthcare reform hangs in the balance.
And this time, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist -- who has his own U.S. Senate race to worry about -- was not by his side.
A boost for Obama came Monday when Senate Democratic leaders said they'll push legislation with a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers.
``We are closer than we have ever been to passing healthcare reform,'' Obama told supporters at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel. But he added, ``It's not going to get easier from here on in. It's going to get harder.''
The president's layover Monday night in Miami reflects the elite status of the nation's largest political battleground. Obama has spent two days, back-to-back, in the same state only twice since his election, in California and Arizona.
The latest Quinnipiac University survey pegs his approval in Florida at 48 percent, down from 64 percent in February after his Fort Myers visit. Meanwhile, unemployment has risen to 11 percent.
In an ad airing Monday through Wednesday on Spanish-language radio in Miami, the national Republican Party claims Obama's $787 billion stimulus package hasn't created jobs and that healthcare reform will hurt seniors.
Obama began his visit to Florida at a rally with 3,500 service personnel at the sprawling Naval Air Station in Jacksonville. The helicopter crashes that killed 14 Americans in Afghanistan on Monday served as a tragic backdrop.
Obama defended himself against GOP accusations that he has dithered on whether to dispatch more troops there.
``And while I will never hesitate to use force to protect the American people or our vital interests, I also promise you this -- and this is very important as we consider our next steps in Afghanistan,'' Obama said. ``I will never rush the decision of sending you into harm's way. I won't risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary. And if it is necessary, we will back you up.''
Before his speech, the president held a private meeting with families who have lost sons and daughters in war. On stage, he paid tribute to Michael Scott Speicher, a naval aviator from Jacksonville whose remains were brought home in August, 18 years after his plane crashed in Iraq.
The crowd cheered when Obama said he'll soon sign a defense bill that increases military spending, and he cited military-related stimulus projects such as a child development center at nearby Mayport Naval Air Station.
At the Miami Beach fundraiser, tickets cost $500, though some donors paid as much as $100,000 to dine with Obama. The arms of the Democratic national party that fuel congressional and Senate campaigns have been outraising their Republican counterparts this year, but the sitting president's party usually loses seats in Congress in its first mid-term election.
‘Zombieland’ Secrets Revealed By The CastPresident Obama continues health care push Monday
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