I have heard that Obama’s real problem in Florida is that in South Florida, land of Democrats, he not only does not have the support of Cuban-Americans, but he also is disliked by the Jewish community. Without overwhelming numbers in the southern part of the state, I don’t see how he can win the rest of it. I’m across the border, in Savannah, so what do I know?! But, what do you think?
I just got home from voting and working in the GOP HQ—Dems are coming to get McCain/Palin yard signs.
Well it is a strange state but still pretty red. Northern florida has panhandle big Repub. N Central has blue dog Dems which will go McCain. Tampa south to Naples is Repub. Dade is 50/50 Hispanics mainly McCain with 50% African American, some Jewish, some urban trendies.
Broward County is younger Jewish out west, middle more AA, east more McCain. The Cuban Americans will be wary of any voter fraud in Dade. They smacked down Gore in 2000 when they tried to do a recount in private.
Broward is the most lib county in FL but we did not get killed in 2004. Maybe 60% Kerry/ 40% Bush. Churches were very active for Bush. we have a Repub sheriff cause the Dem went to jail. Voter fraud should not be a huge problem I hope. FL runs pretty decent elections with photo ID.
Palm Beach County is a lot of older and not so old Jewish voters, plus Repubs and some AA. Usually 60 Dem 40 Repub.
Wexler was working the old Jewish folks in the condos but half boo’ed him at meetings over his support for Obama. McCain will get more than Kerry but these old people grew up on FDR milk. Some of them would vote for Obama if his veep were Yasser Arafat.
North of Palm Beach on east coast is pretty Repub. I-4 corridor in the center from Tampa to Orlando to Daytona Beach is the swing section for the state. Sarah pulled 70,000 at the villages near Orlando. Good crowd in Clearwater near Tampa too.
We have more new “immigrants” including Haitians and others who are more Dem which may make the state purple in the future.
Bush won +5 in 2004 and RINO Repub Charlie Crist won governor by +7 in 2006 which was a bad year for Repubs.
My feeling is McCain should get more Jewish voters and I doubt there is a lot of enthusiasm for Obama among Jewish voters. I think Hillary could have carried Florida - maybe.
The economy in FL is not great but not that bad. Construction is hurting but much of that was illegal workers.