Obama running risk with Latinos
Washington, DC,_ This week marks the official start of the presidential general election race.
For the first time both camps are targeting Latino voters.
The Gallup poll shows Barack Obama with a huge advantage but can he hold it? John McCain and his handlers are more experienced and have a longer term relationship with Latinos having won 70% in his last Arizona re-election campaign compared to Obama’s 52% Latino showing in his home state primary this year. Veteran Latino Obama supporters are not convinced Team Obama knows how to handle the situation and has so far still not shown a true understanding of how to prioritize and follow up with this surging market share of the American electorate. Latinos are going to give him a shot for sure but if it’s a “typical” Democratic effort full of symbolism and light on a real plan, seasoned relationship builders and cash fueled marketing and media investment McCain may find advantage to propel him towards 35% or more of Latino votes. Reaching or surpassing these numbers is McCain’s goal. Primary results spoke volumes of the absence of a Latino relationship and experience in his resume and even supporters like Congressmen Luis Gutierrez and Xavier Becerra acknowledge that the campaign plan is still “Latino Light” when it comes to being ready for prime time with Latino voters. It is very much Obama’s support to lose.
