The Massachusetts wind surfer is a fish out of water in -- I was going to say the South -- but more accurately, Florida.

Mr. Kerry, whose home state of Massachusetts is 5 percent black, has struggled to connect with minority audiences in a campaign whose national-security emphasis has often overshadowed domestic issues. "There was a little bit of reluctance because it's not been a campaign that has focused specifically on the needs of urban America," said Mike McCurry, Mr. Kerry's chief spokesman. "They were waiting to see would he talk about their issues, would he go to their places, would he speak with a little bit of soul. I think we're obviously doing that."

(10-25-04 New York Times.)