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Florida Democrats In The Spotlight At DNC Convention

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By BILLY HOUSE and WILLIAM MARCH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 28, 2008

DENVER - In an example of Florida's high-profile role at the Democratic National convention, a parade of six Floridians including Tampa's freshman Rep. Kathy Castor grabbed national exposure with podium speeches Wednesday.

The Floridians included several former Clinton backers.

Castor, who spoke briefly on education, was the only freshman in a group of congresswomen chosen by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for presentations on issues.

In addition:

•Michael Wilson of Melbourne, a Republican and an Air Force medic who served in Iraq, gave a short nominating speech for Barack Obama.

•Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston, a former Hillary Clinton supporter, gave a speech seconding Obama's nomination.

•Rep. Robert Wexler of Boca Raton, an early Obama supporter, spoke on the Bush administration's record in Iraq and Afghanistan.

•Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz, a Cuban immigrant and former Clinton supporter who raised eyebrows by declining to endorse Obama, spoke about his family's pursuit of the American dream.

•Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami, who also backed Clinton, introduced former President Bill Clinton.

For Castor, her appearance on the national stage wasn't her longest speech ever, but it was probably her biggest.

"It was a real privilege to represent the new members," Castor said after her speech. "A lot of the women up there were once told they shouldn't run" because of gender. "I never faced that."

She acknowledged she worried about stumbling in the walk to the podium. "I'm a little clumsy," she said.

In her speech, Castor referred to a note from a grandmother named "Liz" from Missouri, who said she supports Obama because of her granddaughter and "the current state of our nation's public education."

"Barack Obama knows that No Child Left Behind has left millions behind," Castor said of the Bush administration eduction program.

Castor said Obama and other congressional Democrats passed the largest investment in college aid in 64 years and the biggest increase in veterans education benefits since the GI Bill.

"John McCain opposed our plan," she said - not mentioning that McCain had offered his own bill.

As she spoke, her mother, Betty Castor, a former state senator, education commissioner and University of South Florida president, stood on the convention floor just in front of the podium, proudly snapping photos.

"Seeing her come out there with all those women and her being the youngest - it's kind of thrilling," Betty Castor said after the speech.

Wasserman Schultz got a podium slot despite having been a national co-chair for Clinton. Since Obama won the nomination, she has actively cultivated Florida's Jewish and women's vote for the Illinois senator.

Wilson said America "needs a president who ... has the judgment to use war as a last resort, not as a first resort."

Wexler, Obama's chief ambassador to South Florida's Jewish community, said the administration's ill-conceived Iraqi venture allowed the Taliban to reconstitute and strengthen itself in Afghanistan.

The large number of Floridians on the podium, including former Clinton backers, is one of several indications that both Obama and the Clintons are seeking to convert Florida, which voted for Clinton Jan. 29, into an Obama state.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at bhouse@tampatrib.com or (202) 662-7673. Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761 or wmarch@tampatrib.com.

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