Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

John McCain focused on energy and the economy but also spoke about immigration reform that he supports along with border security. After citing his respect for his opponent McCain chided that he would have liked to have had a joint appearance with Obama in a town hall format so both could answer questions from the group. He made mention of his respect for “the contributions of Hispanic-Americans to the culture, economy and secutiry of the country I have served all my adult life.” Though he has appeared to flip-flop at times on immigration, Latinos still appreciate his long standing support for their issues. He tried to strike a balance between his support for securing the border while at the same time, “respecting the dignity and rights of citizens and legal residents of the United States.” He lightly touched on the importance of the path to citizenship which must be part of any comprehensive reform.

During his speech Barack Obama went right at the importance of the Latino vote. “This election could well come down to how many Latinos turn out to vote. And I am proud that my campaign is working hard to register more Latinos and bring them into the political process. Because I truly believe that if we work together and fight together and stand together this fall, then you and I together will change the political map from top to bottom.” Obama is still looking to establish a foothold and then traction with Latino voters who supported Hillary Clinton over him by more than 2:1 margins in large part because Latinos do not know him. During his allotted time Obama mentioned, “reform that finally brings 12 million people who are here legally out of the shadows by requiring them to take steps to become legal citizens putting them on a pathway to citizenship. I will say it now and I will say it after I’m president.” Both candidates got standing ovations from the NALEO group in their quest for voters who in the most recent AP/Yahoo poll showed Obama 47%, McCain 22% and Undecided 26%. Next up in July are LULAC and NCLR to keep the candidates on their toes and after Latino votes

Washington, DC., As the two major party’s prepare their best stuff for the fall encounter endorsements are mostly going and coming from expected people and places. There is one, however, that keeps Republicans up late at night – Retired General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Rumors are running rampant in and out of the Beltway that this endorsement is imminent. Look for it to come but at a time when it will be of most value, like say right after both parties conventions which should be around Labor Day (the old general election kickoff day). If it’s a nip and tuck race this one endorsement will be huge and if it’s a yawner it will still be huge for Obama. Even though Powell lost some of his national luster in the aftermath of the “rush to war” he still has loads of military and foreign affairs credibility and after the way he was ushered out of the Bush administration shares a little less love for the party he served so well following his service as head of the military leadership.

• Thanked Cong. Xavier Becerra for successfully authoring the bill to study the creation of a National Museum of the American Latino at the Smithsonian.
• Thanked NALEO president Adolfo Carrion for his leadership here and as Bronx Borough president working on greening the Bronx.
• Thanked Arturo Vargas, NALEO E.D. for bring Latinos together at this level.
• Recognized unprecedented Latino role in selection of the president of the US
• Recognized value of maximizing Latino votes to influence president and congress
• Praised congressional members Velasquez and Reyes for firsts
• Mentioned Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Joe Baca
  • Protocol wise he should have gone first but perhaps he has been too outspoken at times in his criticism of the Speaker on Latino issues
• Praised congressional members Cardoza and Solis for their roles as committee chairs
• Invoked “Si se puede” con Obama as the next president
• Mentioned the fight for “fair and humane immigration policy” that includes ending the immigration raids that hurt Latino children and families.
• Praised NALEO co-founder Ed Roybal and his daughter Lucille who followed him to the House

As she so often does the Speaker hit on all the points. So well that she needs to schedule time with the congressional Hispanic Caucus and its leader Joe Back to get a real agenda friendly to Latinos on the books for the coming year.

This week the Latino media corps joined a chorus of Latino voices from across the country asking “donde esta Obama” and wondering if Dolores Huerta was right during the primaries when she said “all Latinos know about him is ‘como se llama’ (what’s his name).” Writers, bloggers and others have already noted that there is little to know connection between them and the Obama campaign. There is not even much of an effort to fake it. A column this week be Gebe Martinez highlighted the Obama Latino gap by very simply stating, “In a week when Obama was appealing to Hispanic members of Cogress to be as loyal to him as they were to his former Democratic rival, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, his campaign was experiencing a major disconnect with the reporters who communicate to the community.” Martinez’ column pointed out that last month La Opinion’s Pilar Marrero weighed in on the topic writing, “Usually, to do the job, reporters need a constant and accessible contact person in the campaign. In Obama’s case, this has been virtually impossible: there is not – nor has there ever been – regular communication with the Hispanic press. One wonders what might happen in the general election campaign, and then in an eventual Democratic presidency, if indeed they win in November.” Is there a pattern here? How do we “splain” to our community the January rejection of Cesar Chavez’ grandchildren’s endorsement and last week’s long distance telephone endorsement call with the UFW that ended in “Si se puede.” Cesar Chavez would non violently spank him for that one. Senator, you have a Latino gap – best bet is to close it!

Her work on this one project was unprecedented and captured the substance and heart of the Latino American experience that no Latino bashers can withstand. The country is better off because of Latino contributions and Latinos are better off due to Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez. Gracias y felicitaciones.

As Sedeno agrees it is obvious that Solis Doyle’s value and capital is her ties to the Latino community. Add this weekend’s meeting with LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other moves to follow and you have the beginning of la nueva estategia Obama con los Latinos! The sharp minded Illinois senator will do well to continue being upfront about not having done a good job with Latinos and to reaching out to even those who most strongly opposed him or supported Clinton in the primaries. He cannot let McCain get near the 40% mark with Latino voters.