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McCAin Has Opening With Hispanics

                                                                                                            CONTACT: Hector M. Barajas

                                                                                              (916) 448-9496

McCain Has Opening With Hispanics

Opinion- Editorial By Raul Reyes

March 7, 2008

Every Sunday night my family gets together in East L.A. for tamales, enchiladas and a few helpings of political discourse. Recently we had a heated debate on the relative merits of Hillary Clinton vs. Barack Obama.

...But what if Clinton doesn't get the nomination, I asked. After a pause, my aunt remarked that then she might consider voting for John McCain. Her comment brought thoughtful nods from the others in the room.

I was shocked. You see, I come from a long line of true-blue Chicano Democrats. But my family's reaction indicates that Democrats can no longer take the Latino vote for granted. Being political free agents may serve us better in the long run. That realization has forced me to take a more open-minded look at McCain.

Although Hispanics have been deserting the GOP, McCain is well-positioned to win them back. ... He has reminded audiences that many Hispanic names are on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and that many Hispanics are fighting in Iraq.

...

Latino Republicans already have embraced McCain. Throughout the GOP primaries to date, he has won nearly half of the Hispanic vote. He also won in states with significant Latino populations, including Texas, California, Florida and New York. With the right message, he could take on the Democratic nominee while broadening his appeal among Latinos. He is a social conservative who is well-known throughout the Southwest, and if he faces Obama, he could siphon votes from Latinos not excited by the Illinois senator.

...

If anyone is up to reconciling these competing interests, it may be the Maverick. McCain, at the moment, is on the right side of reason, compassion and demographics. His Straight Talk Express is on track to bring Latinos - and a brighter future - to the GOP.

Entire Article Can Be Found At: http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/03/mccain-has-open.html

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