Oregon Latinos take the lead for fall election
Salem, Oregon,_ Perhaps in a signal of things to come a coalition of Latino leaders in Oregon announced their support for probable Democratic nominee Barack Obama. It’s a big first step for a campaign that has been as light in its support from Latinos as it has been at expending resources in Latino communities resulting in a huge margin of support for Hillary Clinton. Without Latino voters in her camp this race would have been over long ago. Leading the charge was farm worker union leader Ramon Ramirez giving Obama’s support to farm worker issues as the reason for the new direction. Obama’s actions have a long ways to go if they are to match Ramirez’ words that “Obama has been standing with the Latino community for more than 20 years on Chicago’s Southside. Senator Obama will be a president who fights for the rights of workers and Latinos.” Ramirez is a highly regarded leader but Obama’s record of barely winning the Latino vote in his home state calls his Latino relationship into question. Of course he is a good man but good thoughts only go so far. As the saying goes, “es muy largo el trecho del dicho al hecho.” Before waxing praise on his candidate who was “thrilled” about the Latino leader’s support, Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro should show us the record and explain his many short end elections and narrow primary victory when it comes to Latinos voting for or against him. Where Obama bested Clinton 52 – 46 in the Illinois primary fall rival John McCain won 70% of the Latino vote in his last election.
