CRESTVIEW, FL - Before the nation's economic crisis unfolded... National security and the war in Iraq were the main concerns of a majority of Americans.

Today, retired General Wesley Clark traveled through the panhandle making his argument that Senator Barack Obama.... is best qualified to handle those problems as commander in chief.

In Crestview, General Clark wasted no time making his case.

We are in the struggle of our lives here, for the United States of America. That's really what it is.

It was that type of rhetoric.... that General Wesley Clark used to fire up a small but vocal group of Obama supporters at Northwest Florida State College.

He stressed that America needs a commander-in-chief who relies on diplomacy first.... and troop deployment, second.

And while were at it, let's get our troops home from Iraq. It's been long enough. Barack Obama gets it.

That was music to Paula Jackson's ears.... who calls herself a proud veteran for Obama.

I know he supports the veterans. He supports the withdrawal from the Iraq War. And I think he's very well qualified, and we need something new in the White House.

You know he called it right on the Iraq War.... and his opponent, didn't. And he's been right all along in saying you've gotta use the non-military means of power first.

While the General and these supporters definitely believe Barack Obama is the best choice for Commander in Chief, they admit, convincing others of that, could be an uphill battle.

I think in this local area, it's a pretty strong challenge. Not only are you going against that, you're going against people's views, stereotypes and everything else like that.

But General Clark says the view that Mccain would be a better commander in chief simply because of his war record... Is too narrow.

When you're picking someone to be Commander-in-Chief or President, you need someone who do more than just grade a paper.

Still, the Obama campaign still has work to do in the area of national defense.

Recent polls show Americans trust Senator John Mccain over Obama on military issues by anywhere from 5 to 10 percent.Wesley Clark Interview