It's because Obama doesn't play Idenity Politics. He speaks to all Americans, not slicing them into segments with special promises. Latinos need to remember they are American! It would be really sad to lose a GREAT LEADER because he didn't suck up enough! Come together, People!

It is clear that Obama is following the same path of many African American leaders. They look for Hispanics as the last resource, when convenient for them or needed. It is sad to see this approach. But Hispanics will not give him a free ride to the White House, if he does not change attitude.

Maybe Hillary or McCain will get the Latino vote in Novemeber, at least my vote is not going for Obama.

The irony: Obama plays identity politics to get the Black vote, but the same identity politics causes him to lose the Hispanic vote.

Yes, with Obama, it's all about race. Obama and his supporters are perfectly happy to benefit from a Black racial bloc vote (in fact they promote Black racial voting), but complain if a Hispanic bloc vote goes against him.

Sue....I know you like Obama...I lean towards him too...but if you play the spin game....you represent no "change" to me. He made a bad calculation on the riff between Latinos and Afro-Americans. Everyone "sucks up" to somebody if thats the way you see it. Start looking at your candidates with an objective eye, they are not our saviors we are. People...please take your blinders off and tell it like it is, whomever you support.

I agree with that statement! Come together people. Black people don't hate Latinos.

Here's an interesting read, something i found over in Zorn's blog --

http://bucknakedpolitics.typepad.com/buck_naked_politics/2008/02/a-dem-who-doesn.html?cid=100361294#comment-100361294

I agree completely with Sue: Obama is a candidate for ALL Americans. I find this article to be a little bit mean-spirited. I think Hillary won amongst Hispanic voters because of name recognition and Bill Clinton's past presidency. But let's all look to the FUTURE now instead of the past, and Obama, I believe, is our man. As a gay man I COULD say that I haven't heard enough from either Democratic candidate to actively court the gay and lesbian vote, but I WON'T say that because Obama is offering hope and - I hate to say it because it's such an overused word - CHANGE for our country. We need to put aside for a while that we may be Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, gay Americans, etc. and remember that we are all AMERICANS. Go Obama!

My sentiments exactly Sue. If Latinos want/need pandering, then Clinton is their candidate. The rest of us, I guess, don't feel we need it. If they were to actually investigate his stated, published, readily-available positions, they might find plenty to appreciate. I appreciate his integrity, honesty, and genuine belief that we are all Americans and deserve the same consideration.

I am hispanic and yes, he doesn't cater to the hispanics or actively seeks our votes. I'm all for Hillary. She is definitely the way to go.

Barack is just a good speaker. I need someone with experience and Hillary is my girl.

A divide? Sure. But I think that the article pays short shrift to the subject. It does too much to paint African Americans and Latinos as two monolithic populations. We're not all fighting for low paying, low skilled jobs or government benefits. (Heck, we're not even all Democrats; care to ask an older South Florida Cuban how they may feel about Clinton v. Obama?) It's distressing to see some blacks and Latinos get caught up in this thinking; this contest to be the top minority population. Each will continue to be marginalized as they fight over the same crumbs that have fallen to the floor from the American pie.

In the wake of Super Tuesday, some pundits have made a HUGE deal of Clinton's strength among Latinos on many population centers, but ignore the fact that a great many California voters voted early, before the California race had any whiff of competitiveness, or that Clinton's huge Latino support in New York and New Jersey may have something to do with her being Senator from New York. Just a little bit.

And while he lost in Nevada, ignored is the fact that the Latino population played a role in Obama winning Colorado. I'm also curious to know the gender breakdown of Latino votes; it could be that 'race' is being hyped up at the expense of reporting heavy Latina support for Clinton.

Sue, you may be onto something: this whole pattern of politicians going to different population groups and promising things important to each -- may they be Latino, black, senior citizens, or any other sub-population -- often at the expense of others has been done to death. We're all different people, but how about having a leader actually take the lead in developing a cohesive American identity?

The Emperor's with New Clothes doesn't play idenity politics? Yeah, he speaks to all Americans -- but depending on your race! BO changes his voice and intonation when speaking to African American audience vs an interview with news analyst like Chris Matthews. Maybe BO too busy playing real estate games with Rezko or backing Stroger - those are relationships that really matter to him.

Obama / Stroger ticket?

if obama is for chavez we should vote for mcCAIN.

It doesn't matter which gets the Hispanic vote, I believe a democrat will be in the white house, thanks to Bush. As a conservative I just have to accept that disappointment. The Hispanic vote will have dissappointment when a democrat gets in and they can't deliver amnesty. Then the Hispanics and conservatives will be disappointed. It is too late for amnesty, as more and more states and cities take up the issue, the less and less the feds will be able to deliver anything that resembles amnesty. Sooner or later the feds will have to listen to the citizens about this issue, but now they are still listening to big business and special interests.

I'm guessing you didn't read today's chicago sun times. Read the abc's of Rezko's court case. Obama sucks up enough, just not to hispanics.

It's not about "identity politics" it's about inclusion and access (i.e. in terms of multi-lingual media outlets). "Sucking up" is an unfortunate over-simplification of a complex issue. In remembering that one is American, it is not necessary to also forget one's heritage in order to take part in the political process. Clinton does not dwell on the issues of race or language differences, but evidently has worked to be inclusive and facilitate access to her campaign.

Obama is not a great leader. How would you call such senator when he doesnt even vote in much of the issues. Besides, it is his spin doctors who started the race issue. His campaign staff is really good at spin. Obama is an eloquent speaker that is why a voter like you is swayed by his speeches although you have seen nothing any particular legislation he has mad in health care, immigration and economy of which he stumps that he will do. Be cautious, Obama is a Bush in the making. He will make promises and plunder this country further if he wins. I am happy that Hillary and her supporters is stopping his surge and she will become the eventual nominee.

I believe it’s imperative for Obama to reassure Latino voters that they are a vital part of his candidacy however I agree with Sue that Obama has not individualizes any special group. He is seeking to bring together a correlation of people that seek an innovative and new hope for government. It is time that we fuse together under a leader that seeks to unite us as Americans and not as groups that live in America. To my Latino brothers and sisters, join us as we seek to united America as Americans.

sue, your clueless. Latinos are not easily swayed by sleek speaker who offer no hope. It is important for hispanic to know what is going on with a particiular candidate. Mrs. Clinton has showed she cares enough. Im pretty sure most voters, whether black, white, or hispanic do also. im offened that you think we are not voting for him because "he didnt suck up". to latinos. That is stupid remark. W support Hliary Cinton because she the only choice for a greater, brighter and sucessful future. im guessing your not hispanic...so don't make assumptions.

I believe this article is right, Obama did not show interest in Latinos. I am from Chicago, and know Obama is a good candidate, but when i see the reality, i know Clinton knows us and be with us for long time, Obama did not care about Latinos. It is not about races or fight between minorities, i do not see like that, and at the last that make more anger and create more division, it makes the Latinos to do not vote for Obama, because now they are talking about race issues. Obama did not show interest in the Latinos communities, he never talk about ours problem, he is a smart guy, but he did not work good in the latinos communities, he never in a latinos church, he was one in the latinos tv, Clinton in the other hand, visit our community, know us, even in the tv latinos communities they talk about Clinton is our option, she will do something for us. We know Bill Clinton, but we do not know Michelle Obama, we never see Michelle in the latino community. Obama does not care about latinos, and that is the result in the super tuesday. In Illinois was a little different, because Obama has more publicity here, but in other state, not everybody know him in the latino community like Clinton is knowing so far.

HILLARY is endorsed by Caesar Chavez's grandson for a good reason. Hillary stands up for Latinos. She also stands up for Asian-Americans and African Americans. VOTE HILLARY 2008.

What has Obama done besides raising money and photo ops with the celebrities and sweetheart deals with crooked developers?
Senator Clinton has the experience we need in a president and she did a really good job for the 8 years she ran the country.
I am really sadden by Rep. Luis Gutierrez support of Obama who has shown that he is not interested in the latino vote. The thing that really saddens me about Obama is that he now has jesse jackson hanging around, that is a huge turn off for latinos since boycott jesse has shown that he is only interested in lining the pockets of him and his family.
I am a republican but if Clinton is nominated I will vote for her, I think that's where the real change will come from, not from Obama.
To paraphrase her "it took a Clinton to clean up the mess the first Bush left and it will take a Clinton to clean up the mess this Bush is leaving".

I agree also with Sue and especially relate to Kevin's statement, but even if Obama isn't engaging in identity politics, he could have advertised in Spanish media like TV. If he wants to reach those people, he should be delivering his message in ways they can hear it.

I applaud Mr. Obama for not pandering to various segments of the population.

I don't care what color a person is, we are human beings. And as a human being with logic, I cannot vote for Obama. We need to get out of the horrible mess the Republicans put us in and if I am truthful to myself the last President that got us out of a Bush mess was Bill Clinton. It is time we get the team back in office to clean up. Go Hillary, I don't care what color you are, you have the experience and ability we need. Talk is cheap.

Alexandra - What experience? Hillary has been in the Senate for four years longer than Obama (while Obama spent that time serving in the IL state senate). Not much.

Hillary was First Lady for eight years before her time in the Senate - does that count as "experience"? During that time, Obama served in the Illinois State Senate (eight years).

I'm not saying one is better than the other, but this whole "Hillary has more experience" line has me confused, as their experience in government and otherwise seems about the same, if not weighted more toward Obama.

If you're looking for "experience", vote for McCain - he's been in government and in politics FOREVER.

Barack Obama is half white and half black and has lived in both of those cultures. He is not half Latino, so his diction cannot, honestly, include a Spanish accent. Culture is all-important and cannot be faked. Obama experienced more cultures growing up than Hillary did in Park Ridge and Wellesley.

I am a Latino and an Obama supporter. I'm 29/college grad/Northern California and my voting block (college educated & younger) Latinos are voting for Obama. Unfortunately, most Latinos are not college educated and many are for the most part, ignorant of the candidates positions. While many Americans are tuning into the debates every couple of weeks, no Latino in my hometown that I spoke to (about 15) were tuning in - the novelas were definitely watched though... On a multiple choice test, when you don't do your homework... you choose the most likely answer - Clinton (her name recognition, to an informed group, has proven to be helpful for her).
I believe Obama will prevail with the Latino community given more time to communicate to them.

I was saddened to read the comments of the Latino waiter. We should not wait to be "educated" by politicians. We must educate ourselves. I find it interesting that supporters of Villaraigosa and Clinton (Bill) are able to look past each man's history of philandering, yet they hold onto stereotypes of African Americans. Very, very sad. What have the Clintons done for Latinos in this country anyway? It escapes me. Instead of Rezco, let's talk about the White Water scandal and Vince Foster.

What Latinos need to know is that a break thru for a presidental candidate from minority group will open the chance for all other minority groups and as well clear the racial lines in America,so Latinos drop your preconcieved notions and ethinic competitions and go make history, CHANGE AMERICA.

I am Hispanic, as is my mother (who was an immigrant in the 70's and now a US citizen) and sister, and we are all on TEAM OBAMA!!! We see right through the Clintons' manipulation. They are just trying to use Hispanics for the vote, and will not do anything for them once she gets elected. Most Hispanics don't get that, but my family does. GO OBAMA! He represents ALL AMERICANS!

I'm Latino and I voted for Obama in Cali because Hilary will garnish my wages if I can't pay for her health care. That should be THE issue. I have nothing against black people, latin people have gangs too. Just because Bill ignored the immigration issue for 8 years doesn't mean she should get a free pass for my vote. GO OBAMA!

"It's because Obama doesn't play Idenity Politics."

You're kidding, right? Has this Sue person EVER been to Illinois? She should go to the south side of Chicago or the west side and see "identity politics" at work. It's what put Obama in office in the first place.

Bradley,
This is the stupidest comment ever!
The Clintons are the ones playing the race and gender cards---Crying and all.
Take off your partisan blinders!

Wow! I really thought that the Hispanic community would vote for the right person. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case and they were blinded by another Clinton. Latino's and African Americans should be sticking together, but yet again we see the division and hate on both sides of the field. WAKE UP PEOPLE!

If Obama is for all Americans and doesn't play Identity Politics, why did he endorse Todd Stroger and not Forest Claypoole? And if Obama is for Change, again, why did he endorse Todd Stroger who continues the corrupt legacy of his father? Change would have been sticking his neck out and NOT endorsing Todd. Give me a break -- Obama is a typical politician through and through. If this is his idea of Change, I'd rather have the status quo.

Howard, I have conceded this election also and very much share your disappointment. It will be interesting to see how much / how little the eventual Socialist democrat will be able to deliver to all of their various specialty groups. Will there be any Republican scape goats monkeying with all of the various new scheme$ and program$ that the GREAT Obama, or Hillary, will decree. She did grudgingly admit to Stephanoupolis that her Health Care program will NOT be optional. The GREAT Obama did promise the Connecticut guy a rai$e. And I need my Stratocaster Guitars. I love this country. - Scottman

Obama is just pandering to the Latino community. He can't come in now and say he'll do stuff for us when he never did before. Even US Rep Luis Gutierrez,a Chicago Democrat who is working for Obama, has been highly critical of Obama and has said Obama is nearsighted when it comes to the Hispanic community. Why should we vote for Obama when his sole goal of reaching out to us is to get our vote but not have any intention of helping Hispanics grow and prosper. Clinton has a history with us and we need to show her our support, both with donations and our vote. Obama will do or say anything to us to get elected. It's hype, pure and simple, and that hype does nothing to yield results.

Barack and Michelle need to get people on the ground in Texas to advise them of the key latino families that are a community hub in different parts of Texas and to arrange time to go and meet them in a more informal setting. It is very important for the 'mums' to get to know Michelle. If she good spend a good deal of time in Texas getting to know people - this would be good. Obama still needs to hold the big rallies and move around quite a bit between states, so his time to do this would be a lot more limited. It's also difficult having two young girls and making sure they are getting enough time with their parents. But if Michelle could spend some time connecting with mothers who are strong voices in their communities - this would make a lot of difference.

here we go again with the clintons,,,PLAY THAT RACE CARD...THEY DID THE SAME THING WITH THE BLACK VOTE..WHATEVER...

To Sue's point: I'm an Asian-American, Obama-supporter, somewhat new to Arizona. I remember a rally held by the Latino community a little over a year ago, the upshot of which was to simply state "We exist." That tells me that the Latinos are rather marginalized, even when they are a significant percentage of the population. Therefore, it is _not_ a given (I suppose) that a candidate that doesn't "pander" to the Latino community will take positions that are even reasonable from a Latino perspective. It is not at all considered out of place to publicly propose the elimination of all Spanish-language materials in government, although this is unlikely to happen. The primary stakeholders (i.e. Latinos) aren't even participants in the discussion, at least in the newspapers I've seen.

That said, I think that it is certainly possible for the Obama campaign to win over support among Latinos, by extending the "Hope" and "Change" message, in a thoughtful way, into terms that are more specific to the Latino community.

Brief and direct to the point Blacks will vote for a black candidate even if the candidate is O. J. o Michael Jackson.

I'm sorry, but is everybody deaf?! Barack Obama losing the Latino vote had nothing to with the fact that he didn't campaign aggressively towards them, it has everything to do with the fact that 'they don't want an Afro-American in the White House'. This was indeed a quote from one of their own during a televised interview. First, I was, and still am, disgusted by what was said by this Latino man. Second, I am furious that the female reporter interviewing him did not press him on what he had said to her.

I volunteered often in Obama's office here in California. I participated in and saw the concerted efforts to reach out to Latino voters. They would not respond for the most part. Even, for the first time, a best friend of mine who is Latino. So, I assume an uncommon loyalty to the Clintons due to a rise of their race under Bill, thus a fear
of losing ground.

The economy IS the main issue, and "change" is what everyone wants. However, to be swept up by BO's charisma, youth, and eloquence as a public speaker, while a definite change from W, is not THE real change we need. We need to change BACK to what we had with Clintonism-- a REAL economic stimulus package that produced a balanced budget and unimaginable fiscal surplus. Please, everyone just remember how good it truly was and don't be afraid to go back to what we know really worked!!! Go Hillary !!!

Either you see yourself as an AMERICAN or not. I see no point in sitting on one's haunches waiting for America to come to one's assistance when one can come to America's assistance. Stand up for the nation rather than for yourself or your 'group'. Until we get our heads wrapped around this ideal we will slip into darkness.

Why should any politician come to you when you can find your own worth and bring something to the political table other than the "kiss my behind for a vote attitude"?

GO AMERICA!!!

The latino vote is actually splitting this election cycle (McCain got a huge boost from hispanic voters in Florida) so they're not a shoo in for Clinton or Obama as this article seems to suggest.

Is a pitty that almost every single african-american person in this country would vote for Obama regardless if he is the right candidate or not. Ask a black person who he or she would vote for, and the answer is him. I bet if Snoop Dog would go for president, he would win among blacks. This is a racial race and everybody know it.

Dear Amy at 9:38 a.m.:

As it happens, I am in accord with your thoughts concerning candidate Obama's potential to lead. However, one thing experience seems not to have impressed upon you just yet is this: that people who claim they have "no need or desire" for a thing--in this case, for active engagement by a political candidate seeking the top job in the nation--generally already have it, and in abundance. It is all too easy for us to minimize the importance and impact of such engagement when it has been ours from the beginning. But Sen. Obama is simply going to have to roll up his sleeves and make amends--and, if he is fortunate, inroads--in relation to a large, vital segment of the US population he has not sufficiently taken into account, if he wishes to be taken seriously by them in the critical moment. I am a black non-Latina who would posit that Hispanic voters do not demonstrate any more of a desire to be "pandered" to than anyone else in the country. It strikes me that what they want in this circumstance is precisely what I want--and, indeed, what you want, if you will consciously slow down life and thought enough to see clearly what is. Their desire is to be heard, and to be respected for what they bring to the proverbial table. Now, that anyone "unlike" you might wish to be afforded the same regard you yourself enjoy in any given context, but especially in the political process--this should never come as a surprise...nor should it be regarded as a longing, on their part, for any sort of "special" treatment.

The mistake is to assume that Hispanics are a single race.
Hispanics are diverse. There are blond hispanics and black hispanics and any shade of brown in between. What concerns us are the same issues as all Americans: the economy, health care, education, he war in Iraq.
Certainly, immigration is of interest all of us. But many latinos (60%?) are born here and our interests are broader than simply immigration.

I suppose Obama failed to reach this constituency by not setting field offices in hispanic communities. But it is disingenuous to suggest that he practices identity politics while Hillary does not.

He must reach all votes to win the nomination. And all voters to win the presidency. So do all other candidates.

This says it all...

So Hillary won by old party-style top-down appeals to Latinos and Asian Americans. Dems shouldn't rest thinking that this strategy will hold for long. Younger Latino and Asian American voters were energized by Obama, and formed a visible and crucial part of his GOTV ground troops. They had an impact. Roberto Lovato notes that Obama was able to bring down Hillary's overall 4-1 advantage among Latino voters to a 3-2 advantage by Super Tuesday. It could be argued that Obama's bottom-up machinery hasn't yet taken full advantage of the pent-up energy amongst young Brown and Yellow voters.

When that power is unleashed, it will be unpredictable. The 1.5 generation, young Latino and Asian Americans from the ages of 16-40 who were born elsewhere but raised multilingual and multicultural in the U.S., represents a massive demographic bulge in those communities only beginning to feel itself. Before long, they will turn their communities' emergent vote into an insurgent vote. And then the country will really discover not just the necessity of the Latino and Asian American vote, but what it is that they really want.

Jeff Chang writes on popular culture, politics, race, and music. He wrote a cover story on Barack Obama for Vibe Magazine. He is the author of Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of The Hip-Hop Generation, and editor of Total Chaos: The Art & Aesthetics of Hip-Hop. You can find him at: www.cantstopwontstop.com/blog

What's up with that anti blacks’ sentiment from Hispanics????
Tuesday, in New Mexico while most whites voted for Obama Latinos voted overwhelmingly for Clinton.
Where this hate come from?
As a white male, I can tell you that if wasn't Martin Luther King and some moderate whites any
NON-WHITES IN THIS COUNTRY COULD HAVE HAD SOME REALLY HARD TIME TO BE WELCOMED AND TO HAVE DECENT JOB EVEN TO MOW LAWN.
TRUST ME PEOPLE.
HILARY IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST LATINA PRESIDENT UNTIL THE DAY WHERE AN ALEJANDRA GUTIERREZ WHO HAS ENOUGH CHANCE TO BE PRESIDENT WILL CHALLENGE. THEN SHE'S GOING BACK TO HER ROOTS AND ASK TO SECURE THE BORDER.
THAT'S WHAT THE CLINTONS ARE ABOUT.
LYING PARASITES

Latinos? Voting out of spite instead of voting for the best candidate? Getting their little feelings hurt and reacting like spoiled-brat children? Beware to you of so little self esteem that you act like cattle - because of your lack of foresight, you may GET the Hill-Billy combo, and then we will ALL lose.

Barack is speaking to ALL Americans, no one is getting special treatment. He is having the same problem with Latinos as Kerry has with Blacks. Kerry was asked why he wasn’t galvanizing the black population and his answer was “what are you waiting for????” WHY do we need some one to pick us up and spoon feed us their politics? The insinuation that we need to be coddled is insulting to Latinos’ and blacks. The entire point and focus of Obama’s campaign is unity and America *not* Latino-White-and Black America.

O’08!!

As a latino woman I have been super involved in trying to figure out who is the best leader, I try to read everything about each candidate, With Obama...I still don't know what he is about or stands for, he failed to connect with me at all levels, even though he is 'cool'. I'm glad to find out that there are more people that feel the same way.

"It's because Obama doesn't play Idenity Politics. He speaks to all Americans, not slicing them into segments with special promises."

Oh, really? We asians americans didn't get a chance to be spoken to, I guess we don't matter anyway.

A few considerations/questions:

1. Mayor Villaraigosa of LA, one of Clinton's campaign heads in California, has his own funding ties to Tony Rezko.

2. Juan Andrade, while doing some very useful things, would like to see himself with a larger voice and would relish being a queen or king maker. There are some who see his as a Latino Jesse Jackson in the making.

3. With concentration on black v. Latino, what about all of the white people out there? What about the majority of white male democratic voters in Georgia (yes, there are still some) who voted for Obama?

4. Some people talk about Hillary Clinton's history with Latinos; what history? She has a campaign machine that has done it's job in outreach to Latinos, but where is the great history that some people cite?

5. It's sad to see pundits and irresponsible reporting distract Latinos and blacks like this. The brief interview with the waiter was very unhelpful and irresponsibly skewed. You could very easily see the same thing said by non-Latinos in regards to Latino gang members, or Latinos they BELIEVE to be gang members because of superficial observations. We all ultimately want the same things in life and too many of us continue to be led into believing that we have to fight each other for those things.

Pre-conditioning (what we assume as facts from past experience) seems to be a major barrier for Obama in the Latino community. Assumption: Every ethnic and minority community has to be courted in a presidential campaign. Fact: Not every community is courted to the satisfaction of its constituents. Assumption: Groups will know where a politician stands through televised debates and positive press. Fact: Groups want politicians to know THEM, their issues, needs, and desires for the future. The assumption is that Obama has not sat down long enough with Latino's in order to know about their diverse issues, needs, and desires for the future. Also, the assumption is that Blacks and Latino's have a strained relationship, which is partially true. These assumptions have been magnified by the Clinton Camp and used to effect the results of the Nevada Caucuses and the California and New Jersey Primaries. After the distraction of race baiting tactics used earlier in the primaries, Obama lost some of his focus in courting the Latino vote. It all depends now if the Latino community will present themselves as a tough sell. In other words, 'You didn't come to us in a way that satisfied us before; why should we trust you now?' Obama is close in the delegate count with Clinton in most news agencies, and some have Obama leading ever so slightly. Through all the distractions, Obama has not been heard by many people. But in a civil debate of the issues, that didn't have interruptions, inuendo, or distractions, Obama got some of his message out and he WON 13 states. I'm quite sure that if the Latino community gives him a chance, Obama will come to know what the issues are, what the needs are, and what the desires of the future are for this group. And coming to a concensus shouldn't be established on the pre-condition of the group being a 'tough sell', but by listening to what the man has to say.

am hispanic and yes, he doesn't cater to the hispanics or actively seeks our votes. I'm all for Hillary. She is definitely the way to go.

Barack is just a good speaker. I need someone with experience and Hillary is my girl.

Posted by: Alexandra | February 7, 2008 9:41 AM

You posted this; Hillary is promising Driver's Licenses and FREE Health Care to Illigeal ALIENS....... Go figure that they support her...how many people do you have in Mexico waiting to come here???

Is time for Hispanics to have the fair share of American wealth.Enough is enough of being neglected everywhere, education, housing,health, show bussines, wherever you look at. We are now the first minority in this country and we want the share that belongs to us.And only Hillary is the warranty that will happen.

Hope??? I'm tried of hearing this message of hope. I have had enough of hope. I want to see action. When/if Obama makes it to the White House, is that all he is going to do? Is hope all the problems go away. Look at his plan to reform immigration it is not existent. He doesn’t play identity politics but he certainly has identified himself with the black population, hasn’t he???

Juan Andrade and his HLI front have been sucking up to white politicos and degrading African-American leaders for years.

Lousy, biased source for a story like this. Any experienced Trib writer should know about Andrade.

Instead of Rezco, let's talk about the White Water scandal and Vince Foster.
Posted by: JB | February 7, 2008 10:05 AM

White Water?? Are you nuts? JB, FYI White Water was nothing more than a political witch hunt of the republic party that wasted about 80 billion dollars of taxpayers hard earned money over 10 years ago, and came up with nothing. It’s just unbelievable how the neo-con nuts keep this nonsense going.

As an independent and Obama supporter, I've got to say: pretty fair critique. No office in East LA does look like writing off those voters, and this from a candidate who has done very well by not writing off traditionally red states. (Many of which have D Senators and Governors.)
I don't like the endless analysis of what group votes for whom--plenty of young black men who support Clinton, for example--but done carefully and correctly, the Obama campaign needs to reach out to more Latinos and Asians. They've done well to date by not writing off voters; let's continue that.

it amazes me how so many of you criticize obama for the very same things that clinton has done from day one. if you're not an obama supporter, fine, but give the BS criticism (i.e. race, experience, corruption, etc) a rest because it is just as applicable to clinton, if not more so.

obama has not come no where near as close to playing the race card as clinton has. it's a shame to vote for obama because he's black...but somehow it's ok to vote for hilliary because she's a woman? oh, please...it's ludicrous any way you slice it.

just because clinton courted the hispanic vote early on doesn't make her any more sincere than obama who wasn't as aggressive. it simply meant she had better advising on the importance of the hispanic vote (not real love and concern for the hispanic community), please DON'T confuse the two.

she boasts about this 8 years of experience that you all are going ape shit over, yet in that time...what did SHE do? what were HER accomplishments? being the wife of the president doesn't give you experience as a president, no more than being the son of a president or being a seasoned legislator does. haven't we spent the last 8 years learning that lesson???

obama doesn't have a lot of legislative experience, but he is smart, thoughtful about the issues affecting our country and has a vision that is not only inspiring, but possible. and like every president before him, he will have to put together a team to advise him. maybe you've forgotten, but hilliary and mccain will have to do the same too.

as far as i'm concerned hilliary spent 8 years in the white house learning how to run a damn good campaign for president amid scandal, after scandal.

you can drink her brand of SPIN if you want, but I'll take Obama any day!

Overtly ignoring Latinos, and if he wins, ignoring stupid white folks too.

Ask Hussein about the racist teachings of his "church" and Nation of Islam consultants on his team.

Obama has a poor record when it comes to minority communities. He has insulted the gay community by campaigning with a infamous homophobe during the South Carolina primary. If he is the nominee a lot of gay people will hold their noses and vote for him. Many others will stay home. If given the choice of Obama vs. McCain I'll go for substance over style.

Wake up, folks! Selling voters and readers on some phantom racial divide sells papers and increases readership, folks. Do not buy in to this baloney, or anything F James tries to sell to you!

Clinton has been a household name for 20 years!!! He/She have been a friend to both Latino and Africna-American voters for two decades. Why should we be surprised there is great affinity for the Clintons, versus an up-and-comer folks are less familiar with? But just like many have said, this is how the Clintons have PLAYED both communities for decades. They know how to segment people; how to put folks into categories for political gain. Why do you think the members of the Congressional Black Caucus are so beholden to the Clintons? Because Billary has been conning them from the beginning, waiting for the one day they would call in their chits and force these sad, old, out-of-touch so-called black leaders to vote against their own convictions! They were played, and several latino leaders see they have been played as well -- why? Because nothing the so-called black leaders have done for the Clintons has paid off -- blacks are in fact voting with their hearts AND minds and are not following the status quo; they are saying no to Rangel and Lewis, Young and Waters, Lee and Tubbs, and I pray these so-called leaders pay a big price during their own re-election campaigns!

So, like with other ethnic groups the Clintons have segmented, I am confident the latinos will wake up and see that "our time has come." That "change is coming to America." And that includes blacks and browns.

"WE are the ones we have been waiting for." -- Barack Obama, 2.5.08

Go Obama 2008!

What about courting white voters? It seems that politicians are expected to "reach out" to every group but whites, and if they do that, they're "pandering to racists."

Latinos and lower educated democrats are going to ruin this country by unthinkingly voting for Hillary. What a waste of talent...

It is not about identity politics as the previous commentor noted, but rather about understanding different needs and issues associated with being such a diverse nation.
Obama may be speaking in a different way, but the reality of the situation. suggests that he speak directly to these different groups too, to insure that they understand that he understands their specific needs and issues.

Republicans should stick to their own message boards. Barack is all about change. And that means? I'm waiting to hear something beyond this single word.
And Janine @ 11:38, you could not be more misinformed.

We will always get the kind of leaders we deserve. It's the mentality of American voters that holds the key. If we go to the polls with selfish motives, regional, ethnics or otherwise --not as voters united and motivated by common agenda and goals for the good of one nation, then we're bound to fail. People talking of vested interests, based on their ethnic backgrounds, only show that they have not really integrated into- and do not fully appreciate or embraced- the American culture and American way of thinking. It's really time for change, and it starts with us.

Latino Voters:

Just close your eyes and imagine Ceasar Chavez worked in state and national legislature for 12+ years after being an organizer for farm workers. Then imagine he embarked on a run for the presidency against Clinton. Then hear Clinton say, "He's an inspiration, but I'm ready on day one" and "We can't take a chance" and "Too much is as stake".

Just try running against Clinton.

I'm just saying...

bill r.,

You and I agree on this one. Voters should evaluate their candidates objectively. Evaluate where they stand on ISSUES. And for heaven's sake, UNITY is NOT an issue. Sen. Obama does not speak to me. He speaks at me. He tells me that he can fix everything wrong in my life: my health, my mortgage, my job, my education (and hence, my children)...I even sense he believes he can fix my car. But only if I believe that "Yes I Can." How silly, if you think about it. But Obama supporters don't care. You can't demand reason of someone who thinks irrationally. Now, don't misunderstand: If Obama agrees with you on the issues, by all means, vote for him. If you want nationalized health insurance, vote for him. If you support abortion, vote for him. If you support calling the troops home, vote for him. If you support raising taxes, vote for him. These are all things Obama has said he supports, with his words and his votes. But if you oppose these things, don't vote for him. It doesn't matter how beautifully he speaks; that's just his rhetorical skills at work. Use your brain. Don't vote against your own beliefs. Think for yourself.

BTW, the post referenced above discussing Whitewater came from a different JB. For what it's worth.

Hispanic voters are not wise. They are very jealous of African-Americans and their progress. Therefore, they don't want to vote for Obama. But hate never works, especially in the end. Love will Conquer and African-Americans will stay strong because they are the minority group along with Indians who help build this strong Country called USA.

Thanks, happy voting.

I wondered why Obama wasn't getting Hispanic support since he would try to help the undocumented aliens to obtain citizenship and get educational assistance.

But not getting that message to Hispanics in Spanish commercials and Spanish newspapers and not getting the endorsement of Hispanic leaders was a big mistake.

While Sue is right that Obama tries to represent all of the people, each sub-group wants to know that he is focused on their concerns. This is one thing, and maybe the only thing, that Hillary does well - politicize the electorate. Which is why no one I know supports her - they don't trust that she will do what she promises as she is politically driven as was Bill Clinton.

Having worked in inner city Chicago with Hispanic high school students for 7 years I fully understand that there is a "turf war" ongoing between blacks and Hispanics. They don't trust each other and, as a result, the Hispanics would be hesitant to vote for a black candidate - unless he is the Democratic candidate for president.

Why did Hispanics get blamed to be racism, just because they voted predominantly against Obama? Why did Blacks NOT get blamed to be racism for voting predominantly for Obama?

The Hispanics voted for Hillary because of the works the Clintons did for them. The Blacks voted against Hillary despite of all the works the Clintons did for them. The Blacks voted for Obama over Hillary (remember, what Obama did for blacks, if any, can not even be compared to what the Clintons did for blacks ) just because Obama's skin tone is closer to theirs. This sent a chilling message to whoever would work/speak for blacks: The Blacks will stab in the back whenever they get a chance.

It really should about the people of America and not various ethnic, economic, social, religious, or gender groups. We have to look at the big picture. We are a nation of one, united we stand divided we will fall.

When Clinton was President (8 years total), you can be assured that Hillary was sharing in his political decisions. 8 years is a long time. The Clintons had their share of power. It's time for a change because we need fresh new visions and ideas for this new era. It's healthy and necessary to be able to move forward.

If there's one thing I've learned about politics, it's that power corrupts. You become obligated to "pay back" all those big businesses that want to keep you in power to their advantage. Yes, I said big business and unfortunately not the people of America.

I'm not sure if Obama's courting to me, as a Hispanic, would have made me change my mind on who to vote for. I'm not moved by Obama's talk of change because that is all it is, talk. He should join Oprah as an inpirational talk show host. He lacks the experience to run the greatest country in the world. As a matter of fact, he is the least experienced candidate compared to the rest of the democratic presidential candidates including all those that have dropped out of the race. Needless to say, my vote is for Hillary Clinton.

Obama won the endorsement of the El Latino in Iowa, of La Opinion. He also won most of the Latino vote in Colorado Iowa, Illinois and over 40% in Arizona. The MSM tends to ignore any Latino support for Obama. The MSM has been also reluctant to report that most White men support Obama. But they'll you a hundred times a day about the Black Americans voting for Obama. Obama did very well among White men and women in the the midwesertern states.

Obama has spent so much time chasing white dollars and butts to kiss, what's left of his views towards Hispanics is based on his actions like voting for the fence.

This singleminded pursuit of the white liberal dollars and Colin-Powell-was-so-well-spoken right wing faction has pretty much left minorities in the dust.

That's right, that means African Americans as well. They hang back for months, afraid, as racist fomenters like Mary Mitchell speculated, that either he wasn't 'black' enough, or would be blamed if he carried the standard and the Democrats lost the election.

Sit and carefully analyze ANY Obama speech and you will realize it could have been spoken by any flag-wrapped 'it's morning in America' Republican. It's full of empty (and stolen - 'you are the change you've been waiting for') catch phrases, stirring until you realize he is for the destruction of public education, implies that if we all sing Kumbaya all racial tensions will disappear; that's why whites are voting for him, and wait till they elect him and then decide that's it for social change, that they turned the country into Cosby's America without having to put any money or effort into education or social programs.

It'll be a hard lesson to learn, but blacks of all people should know better, they of the 'talk-the-talk, walk-the-walk' philosophies.

They'll be walking alone, and smug whites, liberal and conservative alike will pat themselves on the back and say, 'Now that wasn't so hard. Now we have racial harmony. After all, we elected a black president'.

Go back and watch "The Candidate', a great movie with Robert Redford as a would-be liberal who is sliced/diced/packaged as presidential material, wins and then, stunned, wonders "Now what am I supposed to do?"

What has Mrs. Clinton done for the latino community? The only reason she is reaching out is because she needs the latino vote. And, Peter Cunnings, what has the Clintons done for black people? Im not that enthusiastic about any of the candidates, but people praising Hillary is real funny. And people have been fooled about her "experience." Remember, she voted for the Iraq war. And did anyone ever question Bush's lack of experience? Real funny.

It never ceases to amaze me how I can read one thing in the Trib and read the complete opposite with in a week's time. One recent example was economy doing well, then consumers confidence down, recession is near. It goes back and forth because it depends on who is telling the story.

People can present the 'facts' and spin it anyway they like.

On Feb. 2nd reporters from the LA Times saw it a completely different way. Let's revisit their perspective in their article, "Obama Works to Claim Latino Vote": http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/la-na-latinos2feb02,0,4983200.story

As the article states, Obama choose to work areas that were not Hillary's strong holds. It's just a smart and unique strategy. You have to remember he is the underdog, he does not have the network that Hillary & Bill have.

Though it would have been wise if he listened to Gutierrez in Chicago and also tried traditional methods to reach out to the Hispanic community.

I hope he revises his approach for Texas. This Latina did not need any special courting to hear his message. I heard him loud and clear and voted for him too. I'm proud of my little sister. She voted for Bush 8 years ago and has regretted it since. She's a busy working Mom but she made it to the polls on Tuesday and voted for Obama.

Si se puede... yes we can, change.

Jim @ 2:10 p.m.,

You are probably right about a lot of things in your comments, but why U gotta blame The GREAT Obama on us poor loser Republicans? He did not come from our lab, I don't think. Where is the Karl Rove quality that he would have IF he were Republican created. I have four Stratocasters, the GREAT Obama is going to get me that 5th. Don't be dogging and hate-ing on this "brilliant" Socialist. Much love. - The Scottman

Hey.. Obama got 1/3 of the hispanic vote in California, that's good right? I live in Southern CA and since November the hispanics have been polling really low for Obama (something like 42% to 15%). People think that race is an issue but wait, isn't Hillary Clinton a good candidate? No? Why again, I forgot? Oh yeah because she loves keeping secrets and won't apologize for authorizing the war. Anyway, the bottom line is that 33% voted for Obama, that's good and they shouldn't be forgotten or overlooked. He can build on that heading into Texas in March. No need to panic. I like hispanics and if they want to vote for Hillary I don't mind, just as long as a democrat is elected.

Go Barack !

I don't agree with this because I don't believe Obama setting shop in the midst of the latino community would've made a difference. The latinos, like the blacks used to have, have this false blind vision about Bill Clinton. And if it had been a Latino in Obama's place and Bill Clinton had made a racial slur against that Latino candidate, the Latinos would've turned against Hillary at the voting booth just like the blacks have. The Latinos have not had to experience the Clintons' 'true colors' so they are still 'safe' with them, so they are still pie-eyed over them and will vote for them. Saying that though I must say that the Latinos also have a riff with blacks going way back, at least in Los Angeles that has been there a long time. And besides, Obama has been making inroads with the Latinos, each time he wins a state his Latino numbers go up, they will see he is the best for them like he is for all people.

I dont care who is in the white house as long as he or she has a d for democrat. Hurt feelings are for little children. At the end of the day we should all rally behind the democrat against the republican. Insurance companies who deny coverage for profit dont care about race or gender. 3000 dead americans in iraq are hispanic black asian etc...we should be unified. If we cant put our own house in order and rule ourselves, we cant rule the country

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/ObamaBlueprintForChange.pdf

Those of you who say that you still don't know what Obama stands for - it's called Google. It's a search engine. Use it.

I'm a white middle class suburban family man. I've lived in the West, Mountain states, and Midwest...rural communities and big cities. The only true racism I've observed (over and over again) has been by Latinos against Blacks.

Obama shouldn't cater to Hispanic voters. The sad fact of the matter is politicians, especially Democrats, have been sucking up to Hispanics for 20 years, while black voters have been IGNORED, punished because they vote almost exclusively Democrat. This article tries to make us feel sorry for the poor Hispanic voters, who are the most catered to demographic there is, merely because they're swing voters. Guess what people? Hispanics are NOT the only minority that matter!

JB....I understand what you are saying. I don't believe I fall for the fluff. Been there, done that. I would say I would be happy if either Clinton or Obama won. I believe the war will kill us all if we don't stop this insanity. That being said, I have a problem with the ability of Clinton to deal with the vipers on the right. They hate her. I don't see a future with the same kind of headknocking in the government. I like the vibe I get from the excitement a change in the air could be. Although I am disheartened by the venom I see in the posts from both sides.

i am hispanic and love my cultural heritage, but i also know our faults.
this isn't about politics,
as a whole, the hispanic community will not vote for an african-american...period.
as an obama supporter, that is sad to me.

I prefer it that Senator Obama doesn't allow the Hispanic voters to dicatate terms to him. We don't need a weak leader who would put up with rude and disrespectful attitudes of those who do not love our country, our constitution and bill of rights. I will never vote for Clinton, she's a corporate troll, up for sale.

I'm a Native American, I know my history and cultural heritage, and I know about the history of those who committed genocide against the true native peoples of what is now called Latin America, they have nothing to claim to their credit.

Top ignorant/ironic line of the day:
"im guessing your not hispanic...so don't make assumptions." - rick

Please don't let this misleading article divide people.

Dear Price Lister, I've lived in Chicago, down state IL, TN, AZ and have traveled through out the US. Racism abounds in so many corners. Of course, I've seen Hispanics racist against blacks. But have you ever heard of slavery? Those were so very racist white people. It goes around every which way.

The people who threw bricks though my window in the middle of the night thought my family was black. We tan well. The Irish girl who threw a slur at me while I was a young girl thought I was Arab. The teenagers who threw slurs at me while walking my infant daughter in the very neighbor I live in now thought I was Hindu.

I've never had a Hispanic throw a slur at me probably because they could recognize me as their own but still it's never happened.

Obama's campaign is not about the past. It's about the future. So I hate to hear someone else say Hispanics will never vote for a black president. Not true. Those who can't look to the future will be stuck in the ways of the past. Those who want real change will know who is the best leader for our nation. So many Latinos marched in the streets recently for change. We are ready.

Go Obama!

to all my brothers and sisters of america, and by that i mean each and everyone.. forever we have been listening to candidates label us, separating us, dividing us.. by our appearance, our jobs, our income, our heritage.. whatever those are, first we are americans,, its about time we started to think that way. first american. for once, there is a human being running for office wanting to represent all other human beings.. i love you all,, Latino's , hispanics , whatever you may have been called in the past,, but today i am calling you my fellow americans! leave your heritage in your heart where you can cherish it, but lead forward now as an american,, i know in each of our hearts we want to be united, barack obama is talking to you when he is talking to americans,, do not let the past ways of labeling us make you feel you are being cared for ,, if anyone labels you, walk away-!! you are an american,, from one american to all the rest, imagine what we can do if we unite! thank you, and thank you barack for giving me this hope.

The Latino and Asian American apathy to Senator Obama's campaign has nothing to do with the weakness of his positions or his leadership and track record and everything with the way the Clintons have racialized him as merely a "black" candidate. It is Bill's New Hampshire and especially Nevada and South Carolina race-baiting of Obama as another Jesse Jackson that has entered into the consciousness of communities that have historically been more willing to identity as honorary whites than as non-whites. The Clintons are masters of slice-and-dice, or divide-and-rule, of divisiveness and misrepresentation. See the ways that Hillary plays the (white) women and age cards. See how she is using her "loan" and cry of poverty (with multimillions in the Clintons' bank accounts!) to hoodwink voters to send their hard-earned dollars to her just this week. I am an Asian American senior citizen feminist and have seen for far too long how these destructive racialized politics have hurt our country.

Don't you people read the news? In LA, Latin gangs are engaged in ethnic cleansing, literally shooting down random blacks on the streets in neighborhoods where their numbers are on the rise due to high birth rates, in an effort to drive blacks into other hoods. I have worked with illegal aliens, and while most of them are the salt of the earth in most respects, the degree to which they hold racist attitudes towards blacks is more in keeping with the white south than Orange County or the northeast. It's amazing to me that a group which suffers so much racism itself could turn around and exhibit so much racism themselves. To paraphrase something I once read- don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you. I think Latinos would do well to support Obama.

Half of this country hates Hillary. Republicans and Democrats alike. If she becomes President we will spend 4 divided years. She is intelligent, ambitious and has many qualities that a president should have but she is unofortunately the most polarizing figure in the world. We need a President that can unite ...not
divide. She brags about being "vetted". She will come into the presidency with her dukes up,tight lips and tight fist and will spend four years sparring and ducking.
Barack Obama comes with a rare talent to bring people together. AMERICA NEEDS HIM!!

¡Gracias tanto a nuestros amigos y la familia hispanos, hillary le adora!

Gracias Ms. Clinton for your hard work.The media has try so hard to write you off so many times. We are not stupid. We see how byas they are.you are my candidate.Usted, puede!

Hillary isn't playing identity politics either. She includes all Americans by focusing on issues like the economy and healthcare, which affect all of us.

Why would Obama go after votes in Idaho where there are few delegates, but ignore millions of Hispanic-Americans in California, the state with hundreds of delegates? He also lost in CA with Asian-Americans, gays, and white women.

If Obama was really for everybody, he would have included Hispanic-Americans too.

And now Hispanic-Americans are being called 'racist' because we didn't cast our votes for somebody who didn't bother to ask for them.

I'm tired of it. Too much drama.

I have a question to all the Obama and Hillary supporters: DO YOU WANT TO WIN THE WHITEHOUSE?

If the answer is no, just continue this vitriol and hate mongering.

If the answer is yes, we need to have a serious conversation about how Hillary and Barak will effectively address diverse and varied constitutents and conduct constructive and positive outreach efforts that are not racialized or genderized.

To all the folks saying Latinos are racist for supporting Hillary. Stop!

There are 44 million Latinos in this country. Your statement is racist. You do not hear Latinos walking around saying that the 80% African American support of Sen. Obama is racist. You just don't. He speaks to your heart, communicates a vision, has lined up African American leaders who you know and trust from the local, state, and federal level. He had an aggressive campaign in the community and a vast network that he relied upon to activate. Now did the same level of grass roots mobilization, networking, organizing, and recruitment of Latino leaders occur? NO!

Why would you expect different results? This is not called pandering. It is callled good old fashioned campaigning.

Stop blaming the Latino community for the piss poor execution of campaign strategy.

If you want to turn off the Latinos/as who do support Sen. Obama, keep producing this racist, destructive, and UNPRODUCTIVE message.

If you all are Obama supportes, please begin immediately volunteering to help him reach out to Texas, with phone banking -- that is a start.

Is time for Hispanics to have the fair share of American wealth.Enough is enough of being neglected everywhere, education, housing,health, show bussines, wherever you look at. We are now the first minority in this country and we want the share that belongs to us.And only Hillary is the warranty that will happen.

Posted by: Fernando | February 7, 2008 11:30 AM

OMG, want your fair share??? WORK hard, SPEAK ENGLISH...Hillary is pimping your votes, she will NEVER get you the AMerican Dream...

Senator Hillary Clinton is always claiming "Latinos" when appropriate and "African American" too!!!!!!!

Senator Clinton is a "Corporate Lawyer" that helped "Walmart"!!!!

Wake up ALL AMERICANS AND REMEBER THE CORPRORATE GREED THAT HAS CAUSED SO MANY UNDERPAID AND UNDERINSURED POOR 'WALMART' WORKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soy Latina and I am voting for Obama. Hilary wants us to pay back taxes in order to gain citizenship and she divides races in order to get votes. Gentes we have to be smart. Obama's plan for us is real the Clintons have been in Washington before but what have they really done for Latinos? Nada. Obama wants to change this country so that we all have a say in the government, not just whites. Don't fall for the divide the races game to get votes! We have to rise above that. Lets come together and unite so that our voices can be heard!

Lets take a real look at Obama. If you close your eyes and listen to him speak it is like he is reciting the exact words of Martin Luther King and JFK. You can only ride on their skirt tails for so long. Lets look at his record since he has been senator. He has counted himself as absent on over 150 votes and I got that information from his own website. Then he talks about Clinton and the vote on Iraq. So lets talk about that... President Bush lied to all Americans about the war not just Clinton but Obama doesn't state that. Lets look about how he snubs his nose at gays even though they are the American people he says he is fighting for. And then lets ask him about the following:
The New York Times on its front page explains how Sen. Barack Obama told voters he stood up to the nuclear power industry and how he passed a bill to require reports of any radioactive leaks after hearing from his constituents. But The Times discovers, after a lengthy examination, that the bill was watered down after meeting with Exelon, the company whose plants created the issue and whose key executives are big contributors and bundlers to his campaign. Answering written questions for the NY Times, the campaign, in the words of the paper, never "directly" explains why Sen. Obama would tell voters he passed a bill that in fact was not passed and did not become law.

2) The Chicago Tribune features a similar story on a different topic. While Sen. Obama on the stump tells people about the plight of Maytag workers who lost their jobs, ("Obama's fundraising collides with his rhetoric") the Tribune documents that the union covering those workers believes they got no help from the Senator, who was again taking significant contributions and bundling from one of the company's directors and biggest investors.

3) And yesterday there was an AP story where Senator Obama told the voters of Idaho: ''And then there are people who say, 'Well, he doesn't believe in the Second Amendment,' even though I come from a state -- we've got a lot of hunters in downstate Illinois. And I have no intention of taking away folks' guns.'' But he didn't disclose to those voters, as the AP said that "he does support gun control and has a record of voting for it in the Illinois Senate. He backed limiting handgun purchases to one a month, but he made no attempts to ban them." When he originally ran for the state legislature 12 years ago, he filled out a questionnaire saying he ''supported banning the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.'' He gave the voters of Idaho no indication whatsoever of either his record in the State Senate or his prior views on the questionnaire.

Clinton has always been for all people, blacks, hispanic, latinos, whites etc...

I encourage you all to read this much more informative article: tinyurl.com/2sp4c4. In short, it explains that Clinton has been getting Latino support because the Clintons have had a 16 year head start on Obama. They are not anti-Obama, but Clinton's brand name recognition is difficult to overcome. Given time, I have no qualms that Latinos will vote for Obama over McCain.

Wow, and I wanted a Obama /Richardson ticket.
Hispanics are so cocky, to say you dislike us because we are black to the media.
Wow ! Hispanics will never vote for a black person because they're black! Hispanics sound like old slave owners and white racist from the past.

The America you want to be a part of is gone or going, Thank God! Question is why would you want to bring racism back into a country that has fought for so long to get rid of it?

This election is about the future ,bringing people together not the racism and the divisions of the past. Base on the post here I'm glad Hispanics don't vote for Obama and I'm glad they are cocky enough to state their real reason ...race. It lets all of us know where Hispanics are coming from.Can you feel that!
Kiss the mayor of Los Angeles good-bye he lost the first time because he didn’t get the black vote, he won the second time because he did. I bet you it won’t happen again.

If Obama does or doesn't win I'll vote for anyone who wants to deport all Hispanics back to Mexico, wow!

Hate gets you hate!

Being of Hispanic descent, I think the quotes in this article are an embarrassment to my Hispanic community. (Mind you, author, it is not your fault)

What is disturbing about their quotes is the racism and ignorance that stems from the "Same old politics". Meaning, the Hispanics are unable to see through the political manipulation and play politics instead. Although I wish he would have visit the Hispanic community, I also think many of my Hispanic community is very politically ignorant. And that's what makes me so upset.

People...

Does the phrase divide and concur mean anything. I am guilty of being a victim of this tactic. I have some friends who are latino and I have been friends with them for at least 5 years. But last week, I found myself looking at them suspiciously because I read that latinos hate African Americans and would NEVER vote for a Black man, regardless of his qualifications.

That's just stupid and I believe I'm smarter than that. I had been manipulated and so have you. I know there are hispanics who voted for Obama and I know there are Blacks who voted for Hillary, (a relative of mine being one of them).

The idea that if the majority of Blacks vote for a black man is racists, then why wasn't it racists when the majority of us voted for a white man (Clinton). I agree with the person above who stated that we need a change even if that means going against our traditional leaders, (who are all advocating Hillary) which it appears we Black people have done.

For those who keep asking "what does change mean?" You have only to research Obama, go to his site, look him up on the internet and listen when he is interviewed or when he is in the debates. He is asked questions and he has answered them. If you really want to know "what change means" then you will make an effort to find out. Otherwise, you're just using this "I don't know what change means" line as an excuse to oppose him.

Obama is simply one of those black snobs who mainly hangs out with white friends because they have money to offer him and he feels they give him prestige. He fully embraces the racist black votes by those who just want to see a black president, and tries to sound like Martin Luther King Jr. when he sells dreams to black folks, then he sounds different when he talks to white folks in interviews. It's easy to see by his snobbish attitude towards Hispanics now that he will try to turn them and other non-black minorities into second class citizens if he became president.

Of course Latinos are not racists; rather they are ready to vote for whomever they judge as honest, capable and positive. The comments about Latinos not ready or not willing to vote for an African American are just standard ploys planted, in disguise, by the Clintons and their campaign, according to their traditional standard of slander and dissembling. Watch out!

My concern is huge. I am a volunteer with a large committee for immigrant rights and to end the I.C.E. collaborations with our local sheriff in accordance to San Francisco's adoption of this policy.
Hillary is a good candidate, we all know her face, but how much do we really know about her? First of all: she said in the New Hampshire primary that while the crowd was all white, they all knew Latinos -- and then she invoked a limiting stereotype of Latinos as "because they are our waiters and they watch our kids." "Our" indicates Hillary's self-identifaction as a white person to the core. She's interested in your votes, plain and simple. On the other hand, Obama has been an immigrant (in Indonesia), and was the son of a Kenyan immigrant who grew up very poor. At the time that his campaign began, he had 30 staff members. He has not taken a dime from the lobbyists that bind the hands of Washington Politicians, including Hillary Clintons, so that privatized industries like I.C.E. may flourish as they destroy families and deport people.
Clintons plan for Latinos is DIFFERENT than Obamas. I've had it looked over by a civil rights attorney whom I work with and it is good for Latinos: Obama co-authored the DREAM act to help naturalize students who stayed in high school, he was one of two senators last year to march in a may day parade, his will not deport undocumented people (Mrs. Clinton HAS NOT STATED THIS) unless they commit a violent crime. Mrs. Clinton says, any crime... does she mean a parking ticket? We all know what it means to be Latino in this country. It means to be treated like s**t for the color of your skin: do you think a white woman understands that personally more, or a black man?
Barack cares a lot about Latinos, enough that all sorts of huge people have endorsed him. La Opinion, for one, which is LA's largest Spanish Speaking paper.

Listen, I could go on all day about why I know, as a Latino Rights Activist, and why my Latino friends who are educated on the issues, particularly surrounding deportation, NAFTA, and Washington Corruption support Obama over Clinton. I strongly suggest all Latinos (and all people) look over his stances on all issues on his website before casting their ballot, or speaking to a bilingual unpaid volunteer at one of the HQ's. This is a moment in Latino Civil Rights that WILL occur only with Obama, who also has universal healthcare by the way.

Try his main website. I won't list it, that's probably spam. It's easy to figure out. It's bilingual as well. You will get a better sense of why other Latinos do support him and feel he is the president for change and the betterment of the Latino people.

With all my heart I hope the next race the Democratic Party will have a Latino and an Asian :)

Thank you for please doing your research.

If anything sounds fishy, you can factcheck it as well.

Hillary is part of the same problem that has been plaguing us since her husband's presidency. She is part of the establishment and is in bed with pharmaceutical and insurance companies, alike. Why do you think she pushed for health care reform, realized she was hindering her husband's presidency and stopped? Now she gets PAID by the very people she once fought. The woman was on the board of investors for Wal-Mart for crying out loud! As a Latino, I am appalled by how many Latinos blindly vote for a woman who will not change the health care system in this country, will NOT get us out of Iraq, will not follow through on charging Bush and Cheney with war crimes, and will not give us our civil liberties back. Obama IS change. Hillary is just a grande old facade - another rich politician at that.

I agree 100% with the poster above me "Hispanics are unable to see through the political manipulation..." The blind following the blind. No wonder it's YOUNG LATINOS who see through Hillary's veil of deceit and are the one's supporting Obama.

I truly believe that Mexican and Cubans would have a difficult time voting for a black person. Living in both Ca and NYC, i find Carribean Latinos to be much more accepting of African Americans. I could not see a Mexican or even a Filipino voting for an African American over a White person.

But then I could not see many Californian Black people voting for a Mexican. I think its sad that there is so much racial hatred within the two communities. My mother grew up in Coachella Valley in Ca and she was 1 or 5 black children in her school and she was tortured by her fellow Mexican classmates. And I'm sure I could find a Mexicans who attended a majority Black school and was mistreated because of their ethinicity.

We as people of color should not discriminate against each other, and should not be arguing over low waged jobs. Al Sharpton made me realize that Black people should not blame illegal immigrants for "stealing" jobs instead, we should all be upset @ the "man" for wanted to pay such cheap wages.

I would not encourage any Latino to vote for a person just because the person is Black, just as I would hope a Latino person wouldn't decide to not vote for a person because they were Black.

Hillary may be doing the old political game of kissing up to Hispanic leaders--quite successfully, it would appear--but her stand on drivers' licensing is not representative of that group's (or anyone's--except the scape-goaters') best interests! Maybe with some exposure, which is always bad for Hillary, she'll succeed in losing them in the same manner she's losing so many others.

Obama In 8 - Hillary NOW!!!
Texas is CLINTON COUNTRY!!!
There is no deceit - the Clintons have done alot for the Hispanic community as well as for the Black community. It is just too bad the Black community turned their back on her, just to vote Black, they are quick to yell racism, yet they put themselves in that prospective situation. Go ahead, vote for your Brother, Hillary will prevail. Obama will be great in 8, but now its HILLARY TIME!!!!

I totally agree with Jason Garcia, I mean what has Hillary done for hispanic. Just promises, and its sad to see how nieve my hispanic people are. They get swayed but words. Have you forgotten that plenty of hispanics are AMERICAN, yes including me. I was born here not anywhere else & Barack speaks for the american people. YES INCLUDING ME. i dont need a person sucking up to my race just for votes. Not to help, but just for yur votes . Because in the end all she cares about is being the next president. Lets not dwell on the past, lets look into the future. Something new. I believe in Barack Obama and i am extremely content that he doesnt have to suck up to my people for there votes. He has nothing to do other then speak the truth not promises like Mrs.Clinton.
GO OBAMA !

¡MUJERES FATAL!
The Dynastic Appeal to Latinos of Hillary Rodham Clinton

“Hay mujeres que arrastran maletas cargadas de lluvia,
hay mujeres que nunca reciben postales de amor,
hay mujeres que sueñan con trenes llenos de soldados,
hay mujeres que dicen que sí cuando dicen que no”.

For all the predictions against her, Hillary Rodham Clinton's ties to the Latino community —and her connections to female voters— have provided the critical margin for her victory so far in a few corners of the electoral battleground.

The New York senator leads Barack Obama 3-to-1 among Latino voters. After all, senator Clinton is a strong, charismatic leader, legendary for her sharp intelligence, uncanny political sensibilities and extreme diligence. Latinos in the United States, especially Latinas, seem to be very comfortable with having a woman as President and many look up at her with fascination.

“Hay mujeres que bailan desnudas en cárceles de oro,
hay mujeres que buscan deseo y encuentran piedad,
hay mujeres atadas de manos y pies al olvido,
hay mujeres que huyen perseguidas por su soledad”.

“No woman is illegal,” Clinton said to a man in Nevada who had shouted through an opening in a wall that his wife was illegal. All of this while she was canvassing in a Las Vegas neighborhood and covering her political corners. But not only Latinas support the senator. In Las Vegas, Hillary Clinton leaned heavily on Rubén Kihuen, a dynamic state assemblyman to make inroads in the local Latino community.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles’ Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, and other Latino leaders have been giving her a lot of support by escorting the former first lady through Latino neighborhoods, knocking on doors and sitting in the homes of Hispanic families.

“Hay mujeres veneno, mujeres imán,
hay mujeres consuelo, mujeres puñal,
hay mujeres de fuego,
hay mujeres de hielo,
mujeres fatal.
Mujeres fatal”.

As the election battle enters states with large Latino populations such as California, Texas and Arizona on February 5th, the territory becomes even friendlier for Clinton. There is the notion in the Latino community that the New York Senator is their friend. It seems like Latino youngster and adults truly believe in her. Perhaps, it is the fact that the Clintons had been involved with the Latino community much longer than senator Obama. Perhaps, it is the trust that Latinos have put in her husband, and this speaks well for the campaign ahead.

“Hay mujeres que tocan y curan, que besan y matan,
hay mujeres que ni cuando mienten dicen la verdad,
hay mujeres que abren agujeros negros en el alma,
hay mujeres que empiezan la guerra firmando la paz”.

As the wife of the former president Bill, Hillary Rodham Clinton has an almost dynastic appeal to Latinos, many of who came of voting age during the economic good times of her husband.

“Hay mujeres envueltas en pieles sin cuerpo debajo,
hay mujeres en cuyas caderas no se pone el sol,
hay mujeres que van al amor como van al trabajo,
hay mujeres capaces de hacerme perder la razón”.
…“Hay mujeres que compran a plazos un nicho en el cielo,
hay mujeres que cambian abrazos por ramos de azahar“.
— Joaquín Sabina

All in all, the Hispanic vote, often derided and discounted, may have a decisive role in the next elections. For now, there is the fascination of Latinos with a dynasty that might become legendary if Hillary wins the elections.

I really resent the assertion that just because I'm black, I'm going to vote for the black candidate.

Barack Obama had to fight tooth-and-nail for EVERY African-American Vote. YOu know why? Because our criteria for voting is "Are white people going to vote for him too?" Iowa and New Hampshire (where he lost by 2 % points in the latter) shows that white people are willing to vote a black man for president.

Not only that, the other reason why Blacks are NOW voting for him, is
1) She teared up during the NH primaries, a big turn off for many black women, and men. Noticed that 64 year old woman that posed the question that initiated HIllary's emotional response VOTED FOR OBAMA afterward, citing percieved fakeness on Hillary's part.

2) In the advent of her victory in the NH primaries, she made a comment about about LBJ realizing Martin Luther King's Dream (i.e. "...but it took a president to get it done"). This happens days before the MLK holiday and two weeks before Black History Month.

3) When Barack Obama simply responded that her view was simply "unfortunate" and "ill-advised"

"...because that say's that she believes that what happens in Washington is more important than what happens outside of it".

She in turn, was the first one that implied RACE into his rebuttal, that he was making a racial statement. Barack and many news outlets called her out on it, and then she pretends that she's defending herself against unwarranted attack. She never apologized for that.

4)When Bill Clinton refered to Barack's opposition to the Iraq war as a mere "fairy tale", many Blacks took that to mean that HIS CANDIDACY was a fairy tale. (Our bad, but read #5)

5) When Bill Clinton EXCLUSIVELY compared Barack's candidacy in South Carolina to Jesse Jackson's bid in '88 before the results were tallied, thereby saying "Oh, well, He won because of the black vote", Many Blacks took offence to it because MANY BLACKS WERE CLINTON SUPPORTERS FIRST, THEN DEFECTED to Obama. And, she's been paying for it ever since.

6) Bob Johnson of BET obviously hinted of Obama's past drug use as a teenager during a speech, while HIllary looked on smiling (and has yet to apologize for it, although he did). This brought the ire of George CLyburn, the most power Black Representative in the HOuse of Congress, and a tried and true civil rights warrior. He almost relinquished his neutrality because of this and many other incidents of Billary's Freudian slips.

7) Blacks are the most unified demographic in their opposition to the Iraq War, and many Blacks along with Latinos, are fighting it. HIllary has yet to apologize for her vote, even when JOHN EDWARDS admitted his regret, pointing to OBama and saying "He was right, and I was wrong".

All of this culminates into the reason why blacks are supporting Obama in droves, because HIllary obviously felt she had an entitlement to our vote. THAT's WHY SO MANY BLACKS are voting for Obama, because of her Apparent arrogance.

That's also why JFK half of the Kennedy's endorsed OBama (and Ted ripped Bill CLinton a new one on the phone), specifically because of RACE & GENDER WAS INJECTED into the primaries from the CLINTON CAMP!

Now I think also Latino readers should realize the Clinton's attitudes toward your demographic taken from lesson in very recent history.

The Teacher's Union in Nevada (endorsing Clinton) filed a lawsuit against Nevada's largest union, the Cullinary and Waiter's Union because of alleged misallocation of ballot locations, even though EVERYBODY agreed to it the previous MARCH!!! Clinton at the time not seeing Obama a threat, figured she was going to get the major union endorsements. But even in the advent of Obama's defeat in New Hampshire, the Culinary and Waiter's Union endorsed him anyway, to Clinton's surprise. Because the Cullinary Union's numbers were strategically placed in casinos and restaurants, and outnumber the Teacher's Union by 6 to 1, only AFTER the Culinary Union endorsed Obama did they want to contest the decision. I want the Latino readers to know that if the JUdge hadn't rightfully saw through the ruse and thrown it out, the ruling (or even the bureacratic red tape) would've disenfranchised a majority of the 650,000 workers that voted, the vast majority being Latino. And it would've even disenfranchised Clinton Democrats in those areas, Latino or otherwise.

Take if from a former Black Democrat. They will just pat you on the head after you've dutifully given your vote and move on to other things, which is why I am now a Black Independent. Hillary and Bill have shown to be no different when the chips are down. When ANYONE get's in their way, they have no problems with pushing the proverbial button, whether it's to nullify the minority vote or nuking whatever chances the Democratic Party has to take over the White House. When the chips are down, to Hillary, you are expendable (just look at her record on immigrant driver's licenses). But if the Latino vote is a pathway to the White House, it's out of mere political expediency that she is courting your vote, and nothing more. At least Barack ACTS like he cares about something beyond his own ambition.

I'm with George Lucas. As voiced by Obi Wan Kenobi: "Politicians are not to be trusted". But I'm also a pragmatist, and these tactics that she's employed and her thinly veiled arrogance are the reason why not only BLACKS are voting for Obama, but disgruntled Republiclans, Independents, women on all ages, senior citizens and blue-collar white male Democrats, as well as the educated, the rich and the famous, and the young. She and Bill have done us all some good, I mean, I want to give credit where credit is due. But with these negatives in her character, the lapses in judgement concerning war (IRAN, TOO?!?), and just the skeletons in her closet (source of donations to the BIll Clinton Library, income on tax returns), she may have the experience and the ability, but she doesn't have the WILL to really reach across the aisle, build bridges and institute an element of transparency, and thereby, instituting change.

In the end, I'm not saying, "don't vote for Hillary" or "vote for Barack". Even Barack said that nobody's hands are totally clean (hence my Obi Wan Kenobi quote), but 1) don't vote for anybody because of name recognition, race, or similarities or disimilarities to what you are used to. And 2) Don't assume that because many of us are the same race as the candidate, we would automatically vote for him. That's just ludicrous. Vote on the issues, the character, the track record. I can be friends with Hillary supporters, and even Repubs, we're in the same boat and the goal is to get the Bushies out of office.

Um, I am an undecided, but I can't figure out why it is the Obama supporters that all seem to USE CAPS to MAKE THEIR POINTS.

GO OBAMA!

It's the only way to get across the preacherly cadence that Barack does.

:-)

Enough of identity politics, i.e. self-obsession, already! Obama owes the "latino" community diddly squat. Where were all those Mexicans at the civil rights marches? Who has been hitching a free ride on the Freedom Train built by African Americans? Who is taking over housing in South Central, Compton, Bell Gardens, and in other black neighborhoods? Latinos: don't exaggerate your importance. You're all betting on the wrong horse (Clinton).