Cristina Jimenez

Obama: Latino Voters Are Watching

The Obama administration is on a mission to retain the support of the Latino community. From constantly talking to Spanish-language media to nominating the first Latina to the Supreme Court, the White House is "obsessed" with courting the fastest growing segment of the electorate. Especially as congressional district lines will be redrawn after the 2010 Census.

In 2008, approximately 11 million Latinos voted in the presidential election--making up 9 percent of the voting population. Obama won the Latino vote by 36 percentage points against McCain. According to a survey conducted by America's Voice, 89 percent of Latino voters said immigration was important to them and their relatives. Latinos overwhelmingly voted for Obama and handed him victory in key states such as Nevada and Colorado because of his promise to improve and reform our immigration system.

Building relationships with ethnic media and nominating Justice Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, however, distract us from Latino's main concern: immigration reform. Latino voters won't be easily fooled. And so far, the administration has only taken backwards steps on immigration by expanding and renewing flawed enforcement-only polices enacted by Bush.

President Obama and the White House staff must remember that Latino voters are watching the administration's moves on immigration.

Cristina Jimenez: Author Bio | Other Posts
Posted at 3:45 PM, Jul 21, 2009 in Immigration
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