Despite the presence of every big name in Republican Florida politics, the kick-off this morning in Jacksonville of a four-city Florida tour by John McCain was poorly attended.

All weekend, those of us who live in Northeast Florida heard announcements on radio and T.V. that the rally set for Monday morning had been moved from its original smaller venue to a much larger one to accommodate the anticipated throngs. Whoo-hoo, we Democrats said, disconsolately. But it turns out the only unexpected crowds were from the Obama camp.

By 8 a.m., prominent Florida Republicans including Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton, current Gov. Charlie Crist, former Govs. Jeb Bush and Bob Martinez, and Sen. Mel Martinez began revving up the crowd inside Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

“American Idol” finalist Phil Stacey sang the national anthem, then Arizona senator was introduced by his wife, Cindy.

Sounds like a can’t miss crowd pleaser, right? Not according to the Washington Post.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain held his first rally without running mate Sarah Palin today, and let’s just say there were seats available.

The McCain “Road to Victory” rally was originally scheduled to be a pancake breakfast, but the campaign said there was such an outpouring of enthusiasm the event was shifted to the 15,000-seat Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

The may not have been the best idea: There were almost no supporters in any of the cavernous arena’s 24 upper-level seating sections, and only eight of the 21 sections downstairs held fans. Only four of those were filled, though some supporters crowded around the stage on the arena floor.

McCain and wife Cindy made a point of thanking supporters for coming out on “a Monday morning” for the 9 a.m. rally.

Yeah, that was probably why more fans didn’t appear. It was Monday morning. But as pressed for time as everyone was, McCain still managed to work in a reference to having been a prisoner of war.

McCain quickly connected with his audience, saying he has a special connection to northeast Florida, recalling that he was stationed at Cecil Field when he was deployed to Vietnam.

“In the years that I was away in prison, the people of Orange Park, Fla., took care of my wife and family,” McCain said. “The people of Jacksonville opened their hearts to my family, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

Of course, when he says his “wife and family,” McCain is referring to his first wife and their children together before McCain unceremoniously dumped them all for the much younger and richer and blonder Cindy Hensley.

The event did draw some people with real enthusiasm though. It’s just that they were on the Obama side.

…supporters of democratic opponent Barack Obama also showed up for the rally. Just across the street, waving signs, Obama supporters like Minerva Fare said they’re hoping to pull in some of the undecided voters.

“Obama is the man, he has a plan to get us back where we need to be,” said Fare. “A lot of people are teeter tottering. And some don’t support McCain. They are just supporting him to be part of the party.”

Start that party without me.