Obama-mania lands in Florida (Debbie Wasserman Schultz whining)

Wasserman Schultz: Obama "really disappointing"

Clinton supporter Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz calls it "really disappointing" that Barack Obama didn't talk about Florida's votes in Tampa.

"He spoke to 15,000 Floridians today...and said absolutely nothing about whether he thinks Florida's delegation should be seated," she said in an interview on Fox News.

KISSIMMEE – Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama had three words Wednesday for critics who say he’ll have trouble winning over Hispanics in the nation’s largest swing state: Si, se puede.

Obama used the Spanish version of his popular “Yes, we can” slogan to greet the crowd of more than 600 supporters at a town hall meeting at the Kissimmee Civic Center Tuesday night.

“We’re going to bring the party together,” Obama said. “We need to realize the problems we face are not problems of one party or one people.”

During his 20-minute speech, Obama focused on bread-and-butter issues, like middle class tax credits, higher teacher pay and college scholarship programs for teachers and young adults who volunteer. And he touched on the confusion over Florida’s delegates by saying he was sure they would be counted.

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Some supporters arrived hours early to wait in the afternoon sun, creating a line that stretched for blocks. Dozens came from the area’s Hispanic community, with some supporters donning buttons and tee-shirts proclaiming “Si se puede.”

Hispanic supporters who attended the town hall meeting dismissed comments that Obama would have trouble winning over the state’s Hispanics during the general election.

“I know with all the people in my family, we’re 100 percent with him,” said Norin Mercado, 63, an Orlando schoolteacher who was born in Puerto Rico. “I know I like him. And I’m with him.”

“I know with all the people in my family, we’re 100 percent with him,” said Norin Mercado, 63, an Orlando schoolteacher who was born in Puerto Rico. “I know I like him. And I’m with him.”

''Sen. Obama doesn't need to buy a condominium in Florida, but he needs to spend a lot of time here,'' said former Sen. Bob Graham, who has not endorsed either Democratic candidate. ``He has to show his interest in Florida and that his failure to be here was not an act of rudeness but an act of complying with the rules.''