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Palin Rounds On Obama In Tampa Appearance

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By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 26, 2008

Updated: 10/26/2008 02:06 pm

TAMPA - It didn't take long for the Tampa Convention Center's parking garage to fill as supporters of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin filled downtown to hear the vice presidential candidate talk.

Drivers were being directed to lots close to the St. Pete Times Forum and a steady stream filled the sidewalks.

David Duperrault of Valrico avoided any parking problems by riding his bike to the convention center.
"Not all the way from Valrico," he said as he chained the bike to a sign at the convention center's front entrance next to the vacant sidewalk area set aside for protestors.

He parked his car near Platt Street and pedaled the rest of the way. He came on the spur of the moment.

"It was the perfect opportunity to see Sarah Palin speak. It was a day off and I didn't have anything planned for this morning."

He said he simply wanted to see the candidate "be herself."

Palin was scheduled to speak at noon in the 10,000-person capacity east hall.

When she took the stage, Palin sharply criticized Obama for acting as if he's already won the election.

Palin mentioned a published report that the Democratic presidential nominee had already written his inaugural speech. That drew boos from the adoring crowd of more than 5,000 gathered at a rally at the city's convention center.

The Obama campaign, she said, "thinks this whole election thing is just a formality."

With just nine days to go before the election, Palin was making another push in the swing state of Florida with most polls showing Obama leading Republican candidate John McCain.

Laurel Bailey and Nick Catarahias, both 17, sat outside the hall waiting to go inside.

"My parents wanted me to come. They said it might be historical," Bailey said.

If she could vote, she was lukewarm about either presidential candidate.

Catarahias had his candidate picked, though he also wasn't overly wowed by either.

"I'm definitely Republican and conservative," he said. "I'm 100 percent McCain because there are only two to chose from."

Ginger Askin of Tampa was there to support her candidate.

"I'm happy she's coming here and speaking to her people," Askin said.

She mainly wanted Palin to talk about the safety and security of the country.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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