McCain meets with Latinos in Chicago
Chicago, Ill.,_ This past week Republican presidential nominee John McCain met with 150 Latino leaders in his opponents home city. McCain reminded Latinos attending the meeting with him that he is still pledged to pushing for congressional legislation for comprehensive immigration reform. The meeting was private which left it to those attending to report out later. Supporters denied it was held out of fear of offending conservatives in his own party who want him to take a harder line on immigration issues. Rafael Rivadeneira, vice chair of Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois said, “This was not a secret meeting. There was nothing he said that they wouldn’t want people to hear.” Another attendee, Illinois Minuteman Project leader Rosanna Pulido said, “He’s one John McCain in front of white Republicans and a different John McCain in front of Hispanics.” McCain later met in private with Illinois state senator and Clinton Democratic delegate Martin Sandoval who may back McCain over Obama.
McCain is trying to keep pace with Obama who is moving to close the Latino gap he has experienced all primary season. The last week has been all Obamas as he starts taking Latinos seriously and making moves in their direction while McCain seems to be weighed down in campaign stall even with his Latino outreach.
