ORLANDO, Fla. -- Facing a tough crowd, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain opened with an attack on his opponent Friday before a polite but unenthusiastic audience at the National Urban League's convention.

"(Sen. Barack Obama's) ideas are not always as impressive as his rhetoric," said McCain in the opening sentences of his 11 a.m. speech.

The presumed Republican presidential candidate spoke to a crowd of about 1,500 in the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center.

McCain also slammed Obama's failure to support school vouchers and school choice for parents, Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported.

"Where does it leave families and their children who are stuck in failing schools?" said McCain, using a line almost directly from an earlier speech. "Parents ask only for choice."

After speaking about an hour, McCain took questions from the audience. He was confronted with questions about affirmative action, education opportunity, medical malpractice and budget shortfalls for schools.

McCain appeared before the black organization a day after accusing Obama of playing the race card by accusing Republicans of frightening voters by pointing out he "doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills."

The candidate did not change his conservative view to pander to the black audience, said one Urban League member.

"He didn't tailor it. He stuck to his positions," said Bill Bailey, from Winston-Salem, N.C., who added that he was surprised at McCain's attacks on Obama, who leads with black audiences.

The 100-year old organization with 100 affiliates in cities lists as its prime issues: registering voters, getting higher wage jobs, and owning homes and businesses.

With appearances Friday and Saturday in Central Florida, McCain and Obama are battling head-to-head for votes in the crucial Interstate 4 technology corridor. Political pundits recognize that this area will be crucial to winning the state's 27 electoral votes.

While McCain was interrupted by applause several times, he was battered by tough questions during a session after the speech.

"It was a photo opportunity and a sound bite," said Dennis Rahiim Watson, a motivational speaker from New York, who added that the speech lacked specifics and compassion.

Watson asked McCain what he would do about the problems of educated black professionals who were blocked in job opportunities. McCain failed to support affirmative action but promised to fight for equal opportunities for all.

"It was not the message African-Americans want to hear," said Watson.