Union Members Say Obama Appeals to Working Class

President Barack Obama's message appealed to Tim Heberlein and Derek Grate.

Heberlein, a Seminole Heights resident, said Obama stands for the working class.

"Democratic candidates have put in policies that help the working class," said Heberlein, the political director with the Florida Consumer Action Network. "Barack Obama has done a lot of good work for the middle class, Mitt Romney doesn't understand the working class he's never been there."

Grate, a Bronx, N.Y., native, was inspired by the speech. He is currently staying in Tampa campaigning for Obama. Grate is a member of SEIU, (Service Employees International Union) a group who represents a wide array of service employees including nurses, porters and janitors.

"He's the president that stands for the people," Grate said. "He's trying to preserve the rights of women and that poor person who is aspiring to the middle class."

He said Obama represents a positive image for the U.S. to the international community.

"We exist not only in the U.S., we exist in the world," Grate said. "A lot of countries hate us for what they perceive us to be and Barack Obama bridges that gap."