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President Obama Swings Through South Florida

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – President Barack Obama made his way back to South Florida Thursday with a campaign visit to the University of Miami as he tried to shore up support after a dismal end to last week in the polls.

Obama's spoke to an over flow crowd at he BankUnited Center on the campus of the University of Miami.

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President Obama made a stop at UM last month to participate in a nationally broadcast Univision forum.

"After the election when the number one goal is no longer beating me, hopefully the number one goal is solving the country's problem," said Obama.

The repeat visit in less than 30 days has many UM students smiling.

"He's been here three times and this is my first time," said Djveline Philus, a junior. "I'm so excited. I'm stoked."

Some UM students said they waited in line for more than four hours to get free tickets to the event before they ran out.

"It's kind of like one of those things you always want to say 'I've seen the President in person," said Philus. "I think there is a difference between watching a President speak on television and being able to see his interactions in person."

With just weeks to the election, many students said Thursday visit was more about motivating their generation to vote.

"A lot of opinions are already solidified," said UM freshman Brian Reef. "It's definitely helping his campaign, Florida being a swing state and win that younger vote over. I think it's smart."

During his speech, Obama spoke about his vision for an economy that grows from the middle out, not the top down, and discussed his plan for restoring middle-class economic security by creating jobs, expanding opportunity and ensuring our economy is built to last.

Obama also discussed how his plans for the future differed from those of Mitt Romney which he said would "take us backward and are extremely unpopular with middle class families."

After his UM appearance, President Obama will attend a fundraiser in Downtown Miami at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel around 5 p.m.

A number of streets will be closed to traffic during the president's visit. Click Here for more information.

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