One of them, a hotel tram driver, is a Republican but wants to change his registration to Democratic. A well-dressed young woman behind me has closed her law office to hear Gore address women's issues like abortion and equal pay for equal work. A red-faced senior, laboring in the heat, talks about his days in an Iowa railroad union and the politics of the Iowa caucus. By eleven-thirty we're all roasting, but no one shows signs of wanting to leave. We also cheer every passing cloud that masks the strong sun and envy the jetskiers zipping past on their personal watercraft.
Volunteers pass out water to help ease the crippling effect of the heat.
The Orlando fire department's emergency medical teams work on several people overcome by the heat. Finally, at noon, the Gores and Liebermans arrive, making us forget the heat. Joe Lieberman talks about our vigorous local economy, touting a visit he made recently to the Lucent Technologies plant near my house. They're happy that the economy is booming, but want to see some of that boom in their own lives. It's Gore who gives them what they've been waiting for.