ORLANDO – President Barack Obama pulled out all the stops at a Friday night rally for Hillary Clinton at the CFE Arena to remind Central Floridians to not just vote, but to vote to preserve his legacy.
People began to wait near the arena at 1 p.m., with the line wrapping around the Tower 4 dormitory all the way back to the football stadium by 5 p.m.
In the heat of the late afternoon, Lenetta Woods Starkes waited with her daughter, who was sporting a brightly colored rainbow dress. “I believe President Obama is leaving a lasting legacy for everyone in the United States,” said Starkes. “It doesn’t matter if you’re heterosexual or homosexual or what have you, I want to continue that legacy.”
Florida State Attorney candidate Aramis Ayala spoke before the president about overcoming adversity, which for her meant an early cancer diagnosis, and powering through obstacles.
“I’m here to support Hillary Clinton because I know she would work to improve the Affordable Care Act, not destroy it,” Ayala said. “She’s not gay, but she understands that gay rights are human rights. She’s not Muslim, but she stood up to Donald Trump when he proposed a ban on America’s Muslims.”
Florida House District 49 candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith also provided opening remarks as did Senator Bill Nelson.
UCF student and College Democrat Devi Mody introduced President Obama with a story about her life as a second-generation immigrant and an endorsement for Clinton’s attempts at “keeping families together instead of breaking them apart.”
Speaking to a full house near 6:00 p.m., President Obama reminded the crowd of the goals and achievements of his administration while offering Clinton as worthy successor of his view of America.
“We’ve seen an America where in every state in this union, you can marry the person you love,” Obama said, combatting the idea that America is not already “great.” “I need you to join me, and you don’t have to wait until Nov. 8.”
Early voting began Oct. 24 in Florida, but the numbers still show a close race between Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
The rally came hours after the FBI called for renewed investigations on Clinton’s private e-mail server during her time at the State Department. It also comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s decision to hear a case on transgender bathroom use.
President Obama vouched for Clinton’s work ethic and political expertise amidst an election that many have said has been dominated by populism.
“We have to work hard, and by the way, that’s how Hillary is,” he said. “She is a grinder, she just keeps working. I’ve seen it. I’ve benefited from it.”
President Obama showed off a more relaxed and campaign-trail version of himself. The soon-to-be lame duck at one point stopped his speech and turned around.
“I didn’t see the band in the back there,” he said amidst laughs from the star struck crowd. “Sorry, but I just love marching bands.”
After asking them if they were from UCF or a nearby high school, the band let out answers in a series of disjointed screams. “What did they say?” he asked. “Ocoee!”
