Mitt Romney took to the podium in St. Petersburg for a rally at Pier Park.
Among the crowd gathered to hear the Republican nominee was a Big Bird look-a-like protester.
Romney kicked off the event by walking out, waving to the crowd with his wife Ann by his side.
Romney recapped Wednesday night's debate for the crowd, highlighting some of the conversation, most of which were greeted with boo's from the crowd.
The Romney campaign brought the National Debt clock with him and addressed it as he talked about capping federal spending and his plans for balancing the budget.
Romney also focused on taxes, saying he would not raise taxes to small businesses and middle income families. He also promised to create jobs and repeal and replace Obamacare.
Romney and President Barack Obama had their first debate Wednesday night before a national television audience. Obama and Romney sparred aggressively over taxes, deficits and strong steps needed to create jobs in a sputtering national economy.
Romney will be staying in Florida, with another event planned in Apopka for Saturday evening.
"What I like is that when he talked about the debate that really threw me over. I said I'm glad I'm supporting htis man and what he's saying. He's on point and Obama is totally lost," said Romney supporter Helena Rodriguez.
President Barack Obama's re-election campaign reminded voters of today's unemployment numbers.
"There was one very telling omission from Mitt Romney's event in Florida tonight: today's jobs news," said campaign spokeswoman Lis Smith.
"That's because he doesn't want to acknowledge how businesses have added 5.2 million jobs over the past two and a half years and that the unemployment rate is now at its lowest level since January of 2009."
"Nor does he want to tell the truth about how he'd bring back the same policies that got us into this mess in the first place. Americans want to move forward, not back," she said.
An Obama supporter at the Romney event spoke about immigration.
"I'm particularly interested in the immigration reform issue. He has flat out said he is not going to do anything for the dreamers," said Edward Quinones.