President Barack Obama has problems in Florida that he didn't have when he won the prized state in 2008.

The state's economy is worse than elsewhere. Foreclosures are high. Property values are low. As president, Obama could be blamed.

Voters' shifting attitudes show the degree to which the atmosphere has changed since his first campaign. Florida Democrats made gains in 2008 with Obama on the top of the ticket, but the GOP won big two years later.

All that explains why Florida Democrats are redoubling their efforts to re-energize the rank and file, including at the state party's Jefferson-Jackson dinner Saturday night.