Appearing before a crowd of nearly 200 retirees in Sun City Center, Fla., Kennedy called for increased support of Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama in the presidential election, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times said Thursday.

Kennedy said during Wednesday's event at the community's Chamber of Commerce Obama has the same inspiring spirit her father was known for.

"That's the same spirit we're seeing today," she said. "We haven't really had a leader who could ignite that spark. We do now in Barack Obama."

The Times said while most seniors in attendance for Kennedy's appearance had already cast early ballots for the upcoming election, Kennedy urged them to push their friends to support the Democratic candidate.

"I know everyone here has voted but each of you must have five friends," Kennedy said.