Barack Obama will visit Florida from the first time since he signed a pledge not to campaign here nine months ago.

That pledge was part of Florida, and Michigan's, punishment for moving our primaries ahead of February 5^th.

With that date come and long since gone and the nomination looking more like it is Obama's to lose, he is beginning to make a push for votes here in the Sun Shine State.

He will spend three days here starting next Wednesday and visiting Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Palm Beach County.

University of North Florida Political Science Chair Matthew Corrigan says Florida poses a problem from Obama.

"Florida unlike some other states is not a particularly strong state for Obama," Corrigan said that Hillary Clinton is still very popular among Florida voters and super delegates.  Also, the decision by the Democratic National Committee not to seat Florida delegates at the convention has hurt him as well.

On top of that, Corrigan says Obama has shown weakness with Hispanic and Jewish voters, two substantial voting blocs.

Corrigan says Florida is still in play for the general election but that Obama could possibly win without it. He says Obama would have to make a decision if he will compete serious for Florida. But to win he will have to pay attention to Northeast Florida, and Jacksonville in particular.

"It will be a signal that he is taking Florida seriously if he visits Jacksonville in the next couple months," Corrigan said.