An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 "Awake the State" demonstrators turned out in 30 cities across Florida on Tuesday to protest Gov. Rick Scott's budget plans.

In Fort Lauderdale, more than 1,000 protesters virtually encircled the federal courthouse downtown -- swamping a smaller gathering of tea party activists who were rallying in support of Scott.

"We were inundated," said Danita Kilcullen, a leader of Tea Party Fort Lauderdale. Kilcullen said some of her group's signs were "snatched" when the "Awake the State" crowd spilled over.

Leaders across Florida weighed in on Gov. Rick Scotts first State of the State address, a message in which the governor focused on job creation and advocated for his proposed budget.

Responses to the address broke down on partisan lines, with Scotts fellow Republicans praising the speech and Scotts record during his first weeks in office, and Democrats assailing them.

Announcing that "bold reforms are under way," Gov. Rick Scott delivered his inaugural State of the State address Tuesday night with the declaration: "Our success will be the model for the nation."

Acknowledging boisterous rallies outside the Capitol earlier in the day, the Republican governor said, "Thousands of our fellow Floridians have assembled here in our capital -- some to criticize our budget priorities, and far more to thank us for our willingness to make hard choices."