President kicks off campaign swing

Fresh off the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, President Barack Obama is spending his weekend campaigning in the Sunshine State -- starting right here in the Bay Area.

The president was spending Friday night in St. Pete. First thing Saturday, he'll head to St. Petersburg College's Seminole campus for a grassroots campaign event.

Free tickets to the event ran out quickly this week, but even St. Pete College campus officials aren't sure of an official headcount for the speaking stop.

Doors open to the event at 8:30 a.m. There will be an airport-style security sweep for anyone, coming to watch.

Traffic is also going to be an issue. St. Pete College is offering a shuttle service to anyone heading to the event. The free ride will pick up and drop off at the Seminole Mall throughout the morning.

Following the St. Pete College stop, President Obama is expected to quickly board his campaign bus and head east to Kissimmee. On Sunday, his schedule includes two more stops, in Melbourne and West Palm Beach.

All four campaign events are expected to focus on the president's prime point for his re-election campaign -- that is the "moving forward" motto that we keep hearing, with an emphasis on rebuilding the middle class.

"I'm looking forward to having the president here to talk to Pinellas families about the values that define us and discuss the choice Americans face in this election between going forward and moving back," campaign volunteer Martha Stem offered.

If you are heading to Saturday's event, you're asked to limited the number of items you bring to the necessities -- say, a wallet, camera, and cell phone -- to make sure you swiftly move through the security sweep.