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Divers Get Immersed In Campaigns

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 13, 2008

KEY WEST - Divers dressed as presidential candidates displayed campaign placards and waved American flags underwater Saturday in the Underwater Music Festival in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain impersonators were among the crowd of about 500 divers and snorkelers at Looe Key Reef, about 6 miles south of Big Pine Key.

"The candidates seemed to be immersed in the campaign," festival founder Bill Becker joked.

Dressed as a Secret Service agent, Becker wore sunglasses over his dive mask and dove with an American flag. The divers impersonating presidential candidates also pretended to play instruments that were sculpted by a Florida Keys artist.

A radio station broadcast music underwater for four hours, piping tunes to speakers suspended beneath boats at the reef. Melodies included Jimmy Buffett's "Son of a Son of a Sailor," the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" and a political spoof called "Jimmy Buffett for President."

"Hearing music underwater makes you feel like you're in another world, because it's usually so quiet underwater," said Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West, who joined the costumed characters beneath the sea.

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