[Blackwell:] The political conventions are over and now it's time for the candidates to speak face-to-face to the voters, get to them where they live, especially in the swing states. This morning we're focusing on Florida. President Obama is there today. Here's the latest CNNTimeORC poll. Obama leads, but the margin is slim. And, of course, that could change by November. Let's look deeper inside the Florida numbers, though. Republicans have asked, are you better off now than you were when Barack Obama took office? Well, when the president took the oath of office, the national unemployment rate was 7.6 percent. In Florida, it was 8.6 percent. This July it was 8.3 percent nationally, 8.8 percent in Florida. Now, two years ago, around the time of the midterm elections, it was 9.8 percent across the country, 12 percent in Florida. And, again, now, 8.1 percent and 8.8 percent. It's positive, good trend, but Republicans will tell you that Florida's Republican governor, Rick Scott, should get the credit. So, what does all this mean? Well, it means the outcome in Florida is even harder to predict.
[Kaye:] Victor, both of the presidential candidates are making sure they get their messages out in Florida. Different messages aimed at the same voters. CNN chief White House correspondent Jessica Yellin has more on the president's plan to build on his convention momentum. JESSICA Yellin,
[Cnn Correspondent:] Randi, President Obama is in Florida on day two of his post convention swing. Joining him is former governor and former Republican Charlie Crist. The intended message, three and a half years later, President Obama still has bipartisan appeal, although former Governor Crist may not have much credibility with the state's Republicans. Now, expect President Obama to continue drawing contrast with his opponent, Governor Romney, on their economic visions for the future. Here's how the president has been making his point on the campaign trail.
[Barack Obama, President Of The United States:] All they've got to offer is the same prescriptions that they've had for the last 30 years tax cuts, tax cuts, gut some regulations, oh, and more tax cuts. Tax cuts when times are good. Tax cuts when times are bad. Tax cuts to help you lose a few extra pounds. Tax cuts to improve your love life. It'll cure anything according to them.
[Yellin:] Florida is a crucial battleground state. And given the electoral math, if the president wins Florida, it will be very difficult for Mitt Romney to find a path to the White House. Randi.
[Kaye:] Jessica Yellin, thank you. We have much more ahead on our Florida focus coming up in the 7:00 hour Eastern Time. We'll check the Democrats' plan to capture the state again this election. At 8:15, the Republican response and the issues they see as the key to taking back the state. And then at 10:00 a.m. Eastern, we'll look at which voters will decide how the state swings. Plus, we'll bring you President Obama live from St. Petersburg.
[Blackwell:] An airline deems a teenage boy with down syndrome to be a security risk and refused to let him on board. Was it fair of the airline or a violation of the boy's civil rights?