Democrats prep for Nov. elections

More than 250 supporters attended a rally hosted by the College Democrats at UCF on Saturday night in an effort to unite Democrats in preparation for the November General Elections.

At 6 p.m. supporters began strolling into the Pegasus Ballroom where signs for Kendrick Meek, Dan Gelber and Alex Sink were posted around the entire room for the Accountability 2010 Unity Rally.

The stop at UCF came after their visit to the University of South Florida, also on the Interstate 4 corridor.

"We look out for everyday Floridians, not the special interests," said Scott Maddox, Democratic candidate running for commissioner of agriculture and consumer services.

Maddox was just one of the Democratic candidates on the November ticket present at the rally. Also there was Loranne Ausley for chief financial officer, Incumbent Congressman Alan Grayson, Dan Gelber for attorney general, Kendrick Meek for U.S. Senate, Rod Smith for lieutenant governor and other prominent members of the party.

"It starts in this room," said Ausley. "It starts with every one of you, your blood, sweat, tears, your dollars – we need you."

Ausley also emphasized the importance of the Central Florida voting community and the weight they carry in the election.

Grayson drew laughs from the audience after making several comments about the differences in what Democratic and Republican voters want.

"If you want jobs, vote Democrat. If you want a better life for the middle class, vote Democrat. If you care about the lives of ordinary people, you have to vote Democrat," said Grayson.

Grayson added that those who choose to vote Republican think the president is Muslim and are only interested in seeing their candidate's birth certificates.

Following Grayson's call for action was Gelber.

Gelber said that Republicans have been running things for far too long.

"Look at what they have done to our state," Gelber said. "They have run our public schools into the ground by confusing testing with teaching."

Meek told supporters that his experience as a football player helped him develop a plan of attack.

"It comes down to skill, it comes down to technique and it comes down to the will and the desire to win," said Meek.

City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer was also present at the rally and gave the opening speech where he expressed his confidence in the members on the Democratic ticket.

"People are looking for change…and I don't think we could have a better lineup than we have," Dyer said after the rally. "They have spent a lot of time in Orlando and Central Florida. They know our community very well."

Dyer said that their support of public education would benefit the students at UCF.

Sink said the unemployment rate is one of her biggest concerns.

"The biggest plans I have are to get jobs," said Sink after the rally.

Jay Shannon, president of the College Democrats was pleased that Sink made it to the rally, as she is one of the most prominent candidates on the Democratic ticket.

Shannon, who had the president's campaign logo shaved into the back of his head, said that though the candidates made some great points there was still something that needed to be called to attention.

"Students are still not considered a viable source of votes in this state," said Shannon. "The continuity is so important. What we establish on this campus this year will set the tone in Florida for 2012, and that's what we need."