Tampy Undecided voters lean toward Obama

[Coexist]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article865482.ece

For one batch of Tampa Bay swing voters, John McCain has already lost.

Two months ago, the undecided voters convened for a focus group at the St. Petersburg Times were decidedly antagonistic toward Barack Obama and in several cases leaning toward McCain. Today, just one of the 11 voters is backing McCain, nine expect to vote for Obama, and one remains torn.

...

"I've felt for a long time that the Republican Party has been captured by people who are too far (in) the extremes — the religious right, the neo-cons. I had great hopes that I could see in McCain somebody who was different. I don't see that anymore,'' said Republican retired military officer Donn Spegal, 80, of Tierra Verde.

"You want several things out of a president, and I think Obama has potential. Intelligence is the first one, obvious love of country and dedication. He must be a pragmatist. We haven't had enough pragmatism, and I think Obama shows that."

...

After hours spent talking politics together, these voters had come to know one another reasonably well and sense one another's apparent leanings. So when Republican Mark Sayre, 50, of St. Petersburg declared he would vote for Obama, the room erupted in gasps. For Sayre — one of the group's only Palin fans — the final debate clinched it.

...

Adam C. Smith can be reached at [e-mail] or [phone].

[FrenchieCat]

1. Good article to read!

I enjoyed it.

[Coexist]

2. I like the stories how they came to decide on Obama

lots of good personal stuff.

[Thrill]

3. Seems like everytime Obama visits FL. His poll numbers improve there