Winning here won't come easy to Obama

If anyone doubts that Barack Obama is shifting his attention from Hillary Rodham Clinton to John McCain and the general election, just consider where he'll be the next three days: Florida, Florida, Florida. Obama must overcome real challenges to win Florida's 27 electoral votes, and his tentative schedule seems to acknowledge that, as he's reaching out to key demographics. Here are four of Obama's hurdles, and what he's doing to address them:
Hispanic voters

McCain is a proven vote-getter among Hispanics, who could account for 15 percent of the electorate. Obama has struggled to win over Hispanics in places like California and Texas, and unlike Clinton, he has no history with Florida's diverse Hispanic community. On tap: Town hall meeting today in Orlando targeting non-Cuban Hispanics. Also, he's speaking Friday to the Cuban American National Foundation in Miami.
Jewish voters

Republicans have been cutting into this once overwhelmingly Democratic bloc, which is about 5 percent of Florida's electorate. Obama has to contend with an Internet smear campaign depicting him as a closet Muslim, bad for Israel and the preferred candidate of Hamas. On tap: Campaigning with Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, including a stop with Jewish voters in Palm Beach County.
Uncounted votes

Many Clinton supporters remain genuinely livid about Obama refusing to acknowledge votes from Florida's disputed primary. "He's dug his heels in the sand, and it's hurting him here,'' said Millie Herrera, a Clinton supporter who leads the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida. On tap: Rally Friday night in Broward County, a Clinton stronghold.
North Florida

Democrats lose Florida when they get crushed in North Florida, and so far there's little sign of enthusiasm for Obama (or Clinton) among white Panhandle voters. If he can't at least get near 40 percent in places like Escambia County, he'll lose the state.
On tap: It will have to wait for another trip.

Comments on this article

by Obamaman	May 21, 2008 2:56 PM
If Obama loses this election, it will make me ashamed to be a white man. Based on how people are attacking the best candidate for president in US history, I guess I was wrong about us being past racism. Shame on all you attackers!!!!!

by jack	May 21, 2008 2:56 PM
Why is everyone talking about a black candidate? Bill isn't running and Hillary doesn't look black, I think. Not yet anyway!

by linda	May 21, 2008 2:51 PM
I hope the state of florida has a good memory when it comes to barack, and how he tried to stop a revote and let your votes count. he lied when he said he didn't campaign there he ran ads in florida against the rules and then lied about it.

by Scott D	May 21, 2008 2:50 PM
Benj, Obama sued to prevent the Florida delegates from being seated. That is the problem, people like Benj are quick to comment without checking facts first.

by linda	May 21, 2008 2:50 PM
I hope the state of florida has a good memory when it comes to barack, and how he tried to stop a revote and let your votes count. he lied when he said he didn't campaign there he ran ads in florida against the rules and then lied about it.

by elena	May 21, 2008 1:34 PM
"It will be a gift from Clinton's government to the Cuban tyrant."??? DID MIAMI FORGOT? WHERE WAS MRS.HILLARY CLINTON?? Federal agents removed six-year-old Elian Gonzalez from the home of his great-uncle Lazaro.President Clinton & Janet Reno) to please Fidel Castro

by Michael	May 21, 2008 1:33 PM
Obama is implenting the PA strategy. He made Hillary spend all her $$ defending PA, so she had nothing left for other states. BO will make McCain spend all his $$ defending FL so he'll have nothing left for other battleground states. Smart move.

by Kevin	May 21, 2008 1:00 PM
Obama won by the rules prescribed the DNC - DELEGATES. Obama has led in total pledged delegates after EVERY contest since Iowa in January. Obama has won all across America across every region. Obama will beat Grandpa McCain in Florida. Obama POTUS.

by Joe	May 21, 2008 1:00 PM
"Change" Nice tag line. Now the question is: Change what?Change it how? How much does Change cost? Who is going to pay for Change? So far nothing from BHO.

by Sam	May 21, 2008 1:00 PM
Obama is half White...why don't you racists vote for that part of him. He is super intelligent and does NOT take lobbyist money. Turn off FOX news & educate yourself. By the way McCain is 100% Recycled Bush.

by Confused	May 21, 2008 12:20 PM
To all you "count my vote!" people: you knew BEFORE you voted that the DNC would not allow your vote to count in the primary, yet you CHOSE to vote anyway, and now you are screaming that you are "disenfranchised"? I don't get it.

by Henry	May 21, 2008 12:20 PM
To those that claim they will vote for McCain if Obama is the nominee: why throw away the future of your country and a chance for a fresh start in a pointless show of support for a woman that couldn't care LESS about you?

by Tom	May 21, 2008 12:20 PM
The FL/MI fiasco was the state(s) fault and later, H. Dean. Obama is playing by the rules. HRC only wants the votes to count now (after agreeing they would NOT) because she is LOSING.

by MoveonFloridians	May 21, 2008 12:20 PM
During the Gore and Bush general election, Democratic party lost, and they are now about to lose among themselves, LOSERS!

by Benj	May 21, 2008 12:20 PM
Why is Everyone blaming Obama for DNC decision? Liberal Democratic, here we go again with division! So, instead of Obama, you rather give it away to McCain, get a life people! Move on and support your winning candidate, regardless.

by Mike H in Cali	May 21, 2008 12:20 PM
As the NYT Times has pointed out, because Barack's father was a Muslim, Barack himself was a natural-born Muslim under Islamic law. His conversion to Christianity in 1987 was the highest crime in Islam -- a crime punishable by beheading.

by Chuck	May 21, 2008 12:20 PM
I dumbfounded by the insinuated if not blatant assumptions by some posters on this site that if Barack Obama is not my first choice of candidates that I am a racist. By making those accusations, you are doing no favor for your candidate.

by jill	May 21, 2008 12:20 PM
Everyone knew before the Florida primary their vote wouldn't count thanks to the republican governor. It is not Obama's fault that the votes didn't count. He followed the rules and his word unlike Clinton. Seat the delegates 50/50. Rules are Rules.

by Hopeless Change	May 21, 2008 12:20 PM
Want to preview how knee-jerk libs are going to smear opponents? Anyone who opposes Obama will be accused of being a "racist" (Someone's offensive comment) or of having an "Appalachian mentality" (Robert's offensive comment). That won't win votes.

by Dick	May 21, 2008 12:20 PM
Let me get this straight, if I am not a person of color and do not vote for Senator Obama I am a racist, but if a person of color, black, votes for Senator Obama because he is black, that person is not a racist?

by Steve	May 21, 2008 12:20 PM
It still amazes me daily how few people realize he is going to be the next president. And how may believe the awful crap printed about Obama, who is a very caring, inspiring, and intelligent man.

by Obama: The Emperor Has No Clothes	May 21, 2008 11:50 AM
Funny how the Democrats whine so much and so often about "making every vote count" and then they're so quick to make sure that Florida's voters are disenfranchised. It's their usual M.O. - a "political philosophy" based solely on political gain.

by Jim	May 21, 2008 11:50 AM
I think Obama will accept the Florida results. It's not HIS fault that the election date was moved, why punish him for it? And why vote for more war, more debt, and more gas consumption? Obama may be a question, but McCain is a known problem.

by Elwanta	May 21, 2008 11:50 AM
Obama was responsiple for Florida and Michigan not getting a revote. Not fair. He should have helped with the revote. He was afraid Hilliary would win. That is rediculous that the DNC is so unfair to the PEOPLE in these states. Obama lost my vote.

by Sharon	May 21, 2008 11:50 AM
This is why Clinton should be the nominee. Obama can't win Ohio alone. Clinton can easily and she will make it very close in Florida. Obama, consider Clinton as a running mate if you are the nominee.

by NotANative	May 21, 2008 11:14 AM
Why don't you people just admit you won't won't for a black guy?

by Sam	May 21, 2008 11:13 AM
What a bunch of hogwash!!

by Florida Girl	May 21, 2008 10:58 AM
Obama should just forget Florida. I am a former life long Democrat, and I am voting for John McCain. Obama is too inexperienced for me, and I will never vote for someone who did not count my vote. Let's move on to 2012.

by Jeff	May 21, 2008 10:58 AM
Brack has about the same chance as I do of winning FL in Nov.

by FmrFlaDem	May 21, 2008 10:58 AM
I remember the article months ago where Mr. Obama refused even a comment to the St. Pete Times in New Hamphshire along with the comments in the article from New Hampshire Dems. I am now a Former Florida Democrat and will remain "No Party Affiliation"

by Lee	May 21, 2008 10:58 AM
Obama can win without Florida--but not easily. Will Florida usher in a new era in America or will it keep us mired in the past while the world moves on? Florida's choice is between new thinking and old thinking. The nation will be watching.

by Pete	May 21, 2008 10:57 AM
If my vote doesn't count my vote will not go to him in November!

by Hillary4me	May 21, 2008 10:57 AM
Is it too early to say: "We told you so?"

by someone	May 21, 2008 10:57 AM
Obama needs to push Jacksonville and especially Tallahassee and Gainesville hard in the fall...enough black and student votes there to offset the racist vote, make north Florida competitive. Add the I-4 corridor and FL is in play for the Dems.

by Jon	May 21, 2008 10:57 AM
Internet Smear Campaign? Lets look at the facts. Obama IS the preferred candidate of Hamas. That's because Hamas knows his liberal bias. He has NO record to speak of on Israel so he's a wild card there. He came to Jesus late in life. No smear.