President Barack Obama and Gov. Charlie Crist tour Pensacola Beach this morning

President Barack Obama toured Pensacola Beach this morning, where spectators greeted him with cheers and chants: "Save our beach! Save our beach!"

The water was emerald green and seemingly clear of tar balls this morning as the president walked to the water's edge and looked toward the horizon, where weathered oil and sheens loom close to our shores. Down the beach, swimmers were in the water. Hundreds of people gathered 200 yards away.

Obama then visited the Fish Sandwich Snack Bar, a Pensacola Beach landmark, and talked with owners Mike and Laura Pinzone.

The president's stop at the snack bar lasted nearly an hour, during which he also got a briefing from Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen and Gov. Charlie Crist.

Afterward, he told members of the press that he'd heard stories similar to the Pinzones' in Mississippi and Alabama and pledged to get help for local businesses.

The important work right now, he said, is just to make sure people like Mike Pinzone are able to get through what is going to be a tough time.

"I told Mike -- and I want every business person here in Florida to know -- that I will be their fierce advocate in making sure that they are getting the compensation they need to get through what is going to be a difficult season," he said.

Obama said they were making sure skimmers were out in the waters and that each state now has its own deputy incident commanders.

He said even though businesses are open and the beaches were clean, tourism was "still affected by perception."

The president arrived at the beach shortly before 9 a.m. Boom was visible in the waterways as the motorcade drove over the Pensacola Bay bridge. In Gulf Breeze, spectators lined the route to wave and take pictures. Several onlookers held signs showing support and frustration -- such as "Kick Tony's ass for us. This is ridiculous." Another said, "Thanks for your support, Mr. President. You still have mine."

Waiting at Pensacola Beach this morning, Greg Simonds was just hoping for some kind of progress in the ongoing oil debacle.

"We just want some resolution," the 27-year-old Pensacola man said. "Everybody says they are doing something. It doesn't seem like they are."

Simonds said the spill has already canceled a fishing tournament he and his son planned to participate in.

"We've lived here all our lives," he said. "It's going to be destroyed."

Heather Shimp and her 12-year-old daughter, Lily, were also at the beach early this morning to wait for the president.

“I don’t know exactly what he’s going to accomplish,” said Heather Shimp, a Pensacola resident. “I think a lot of it is show, but I guess I am glad he is here. It’s just a tough situation. It’s hard to even wrap your mind around what it happening.”