WINTER PARK, Fla. — It was a disappointing end to a Friday that began with people outside a Rollins College gym waiting to listen to a campaign speech given by President Barack Obama.
"I have never seen Obama live before, so I was looking forward to seeing him for the first time,” said ticket holder Steve Wincent.
Wincent and 2,000 other ticket holders will have to wait longer. Obama only made a stop in Fort Myers, where he addressed a crowd for the first time since the shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo.
“There will be other days for politics. This is a day of prayer and reflection,” the president said.
It was an unexpected turn of events for Rollins students.
“I am really upset personally, but I think he is doing what is best for the nation as a whole,” said Rollins student Sarah Mills.
It was unexpected for staff members too, who had been organizing the trip since Monday.
“We got contacted by the campaign and worked to get the facility ready and everything for his event,” said Lauren Bradley with Rollins College.
But everyone understood what the president did to react to a national tragedy.
“It makes sense. I completely stand by that decision. He should go and do what he needs to do to help with whatever is going on,” said Wincent.
The campaign has not contacted Rollins regarding any future presidential appearances.
The cancellation didn’t cost Rollins anything other than some extra staff. The Obama campaign paid for all of the logistics and even rented the gymnasium.
WFTV
