Excitement outside Sun Dome

People began lining up before sunrise to hear Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden speak Wednesday at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa. [Michael C. Weimar, Times]

TAMPA -- Next to a noticeably empty protest zone, Barack Obama and Joe Biden supporters talked health care, education and -- what else -- the economy. The resounding sentiment? Change is coming. But most of the chatter was about Obama rather than the set-to-speak vice presidential candidate.

"I'm excited to hear some answers," said Kerianne Beckford, a 20-year-old USF student with a homemade Obama T-shirt. "I'm ready."

William Turnbull, 58, a registered Rebublican, said he has shifted camps for the election this year. He waited with thousands of others.  [Michael C. Weimar, Times]

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Beckford and several other USF students of affordable education and Obama's $4,000 tuition credit for community service. They said they're eager to hear what Biden has to say about the plans.

Linda and Pinkie Zalkin, sisters-in-law who said they wanted to hear Biden's thoughts on health care and the economy, said they were inspired by the Obama's candidness and honesty. Linda, 65, of Tampa is worried about her children's economic future. Pinkie, 60, of Asheville N.C., is happy Obama has shown support for mental health care.

A huge sign next to the line, which was snaking around the Sun Dome by 8 a.m. even as throngs of people were let into the venue, proclaimed that "Bush's greedy rich friends have hurt America more than al-Qaida."

Silently holding the sign up and smiling was 58-year-old William Turnbull, a registered Republican.

Turnbull voted for McCain in the primaries, but he said he has changed his mind since Sarah Palin joined the ticket and the economy took a stark downturn. Turnbull was recently laid off from his job as a trade show carpenter and said he doesn't trust McCain and Palin to fix the financial crisis.

He said Obama's favorable view with countries around the world will be much more beneficial to Americans during hard times. He also thinks Republicans are too lax about corporate regulations.

"I have $150 left, and then I starve," Turnbull said. "Go, Obama, go."

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

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