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http://www.newsmax.com/politics/clinton_hispanics/2008/01/12/63883.html
Clinton Courts Hispanic Vote in the West
Saturday, January 12, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, attempting to earn the "la
presidenta" title bestowed by supporters in the West in recent days,
appealed to Nevada's Hispanic community Saturday to back her potentially
history-making candidacy as an affirmation of the American dream they share.
"Help us reach our common purpose," Clinton said at a rally touting her
support within the Hispanic community. "The common purpose of America is
progress, not just for the wealthy and the well-connected, but everyone.
Every single person deserves a shot at the American dream. That is why I'm
running for president."
Clinton, reinvigorated after an unexpected win in New Hampshire's primary
last week, has spent the last three days courting the crucial Hispanic vote
in Nevada, which holds presidential cacuses Jan. 19, and in California, the
biggest prize on Feb. 5 when more than 20 states hold presidential contests.
In Nevada, where one in four residents is of Hispanic or Latino descent,
Clinton's push is no surprise.
"Si, se puede," supporters cheered her at a union hall with New Jersey Sen.
Bob Menendez and former Cabinet secretary Henry Cisneros in tow. "Yes, we
can."
It was the same chant Obama joined in only a day earlier as he picked up the
endorsement of the Culinary Workers Union, the largest and most powerful
labor organization in the state.
Clinton's caucus record isn't great _ she placed a disappointing third in
Iowa's caucuses.
But she's not conceding Nevada's caucuses, or the Hispanic voting bloc. On
Thursday, she went door-to-door in a largely Hispanic neighborhood here with
Ruben Kihuen, a charismatic member of the state Assembly who is helping her
campaign. She went to East Los Angeles a day later to eat at King Taco on
Cesar Chavez Boulevard with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. And on Saturday, she
came back to Las Vegas and Reno to build support among Hispanics.
Nationally, among Hispanics who are registered Democrats, 59 percent said
they want Clinton to be their party's presidential candidate, followed by 15
percent who prefer Obama, according to a survey released last month by the
nonpartisan Pew Hispanic Center.
Clinton's advisers and supporters have emphasized that her campaign could
make history while working to not alienate minority voters who might be
tempted to vote for Obama, who could be the first black president.
"We will make history when she becomes president of the United States,"
Cisneros said. "For the first time we will have a mother, a wife, a
daughter, a sister as president of the United States."
Clinton also praised New Mexico Gov Bill Richardson, who tried to become the
nation's first Hispanic president, but dropped out of the race after a poor
showing in Iowa and New Hampshire. He has yet to endorse one of his former
rivals.
"He broke through a barrier by running for president," she said. "I salute
his service and thank him for his many kindnesses to me."
It's unclear, whether Clinton can become, as supporters called her, "la
presidenta" without deep support in the Hispanic community.
"Vamos a este caucuses," Cisneros said, rallying sheet metal workers in Las
Vegas on Saturday.
Clinton has been talking about a practical approach to immigration in recent
weeks, saying those who favor deportation of illegal immigrants ignore the
logistical impossibility. She said it would take $200 billion and a convoy
of 200,000 buses stretching 1,700 miles to make the border impenetrable.
"I think Americans would put up with that for a nanosecond," she said.
"Let's get real here. That will never happen."
Clinton Courts Hispanic Vote in the West
Saturday, January 12, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, attempting to earn the "la
presidenta" title bestowed by supporters in the West in recent days,
appealed to Nevada's Hispanic community Saturday to back her potentially
history-making candidacy as an affirmation of the American dream they share.
"Help us reach our common purpose," Clinton said at a rally touting her
support within the Hispanic community. "The common purpose of America is
progress, not just for the wealthy and the well-connected, but everyone.
Every single person deserves a shot at the American dream. That is why I'm
running for president."
Clinton, reinvigorated after an unexpected win in New Hampshire's primary
last week, has spent the last three days courting the crucial Hispanic vote
in Nevada, which holds presidential cacuses Jan. 19, and in California, the
biggest prize on Feb. 5 when more than 20 states hold presidential contests.
In Nevada, where one in four residents is of Hispanic or Latino descent,
Clinton's push is no surprise.
"Si, se puede," supporters cheered her at a union hall with New Jersey Sen.
Bob Menendez and former Cabinet secretary Henry Cisneros in tow. "Yes, we
can."
It was the same chant Obama joined in only a day earlier as he picked up the
endorsement of the Culinary Workers Union, the largest and most powerful
labor organization in the state.
Clinton's caucus record isn't great _ she placed a disappointing third in
Iowa's caucuses.
But she's not conceding Nevada's caucuses, or the Hispanic voting bloc. On
Thursday, she went door-to-door in a largely Hispanic neighborhood here with
Ruben Kihuen, a charismatic member of the state Assembly who is helping her
campaign. She went to East Los Angeles a day later to eat at King Taco on
Cesar Chavez Boulevard with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. And on Saturday, she
came back to Las Vegas and Reno to build support among Hispanics.
Nationally, among Hispanics who are registered Democrats, 59 percent said
they want Clinton to be their party's presidential candidate, followed by 15
percent who prefer Obama, according to a survey released last month by the
nonpartisan Pew Hispanic Center.
Clinton's advisers and supporters have emphasized that her campaign could
make history while working to not alienate minority voters who might be
tempted to vote for Obama, who could be the first black president.
"We will make history when she becomes president of the United States,"
Cisneros said. "For the first time we will have a mother, a wife, a
daughter, a sister as president of the United States."
Clinton also praised New Mexico Gov Bill Richardson, who tried to become the
nation's first Hispanic president, but dropped out of the race after a poor
showing in Iowa and New Hampshire. He has yet to endorse one of his former
rivals.
"He broke through a barrier by running for president," she said. "I salute
his service and thank him for his many kindnesses to me."
It's unclear, whether Clinton can become, as supporters called her, "la
presidenta" without deep support in the Hispanic community.
"Vamos a este caucuses," Cisneros said, rallying sheet metal workers in Las
Vegas on Saturday.
Clinton has been talking about a practical approach to immigration in recent
weeks, saying those who favor deportation of illegal immigrants ignore the
logistical impossibility. She said it would take $200 billion and a convoy
of 200,000 buses stretching 1,700 miles to make the border impenetrable.
"I think Americans would put up with that for a nanosecond," she said.
"Let's get real here. That will never happen."