Obama Courts Hispanics In Texas

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Barack Obama

The Obama campaign has announced a new Spanish-language radio ad to air in Texas.

"Barack Obama is talking to me. He's faced many of the same challenges that we've faced in my family," an announcer says in the spot. "His parents weren't rich, but through hard work, he earned a scholarship and found his way — graduating from Harvard Law School. And instead of accepting job offers that paid a lot of money, Obama decided to work with churches, giving a helping hand to those less fortunate in his community."

The spot includes snippets of Obama speaking, but otherwise it's entirely in Spanish. It closes like this: "Obama is talking to me...That's why I'm talking to others — my parents, my uncles, and my friends — because politics isn't just for those who like to fight, it's for those who want to build a better future. Obama is talking to me, and he's talking to you too."

If your Spanish is up to snuff, you can listen to the ad here.

The Obama campaign is hoping to land a knockout blow on March 4th, when voters have their say in Texas, as well as Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont. Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, sees the day as a chance to recover after what is expected to be a tough February. Both campaigns began airing television ads today in Texas and Ohio.

Obama has struggled to attract Hispanic voters, though he has done increasingly well since the group broke for Clinton in large numbers in the Nevada caucuses. Some observers, among them Clinton pollster and Latino expert Sergio Bendixen, believe that Latino voters are not predisposed to support a black politician; Bendixen said "the Hispanic voter -- and I want to say this very carefully -- has not shown a lot of willingness or affinity to support black candidates." Critics counter by pointing to black politicians who have done well with Hispanic voters, among them Los Angles Mayor Tom Bradley and New York mayor David Dinkins.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by kevinloki February 14, 2008 4:52 PM EST: Princemile=Dillusional

I have done my DD and simply stated my opinion to which I am entitled. Obviously if you consider my prior words an attack on your sacred agent of change, you have a mighty thin skin and should stay out of the fray. I on the other hand consider my previous words quite charitable.

By the way, are you a first time voter? Don''t you realize that the only thing the changes when a new President takes office is the monogram on the linens?; Reply to this comment


by cbsespo February 13, 2008 5:16 PM EST: The more people are exposed to Barack Obama and his ideas the more they will support him. It is nice to see the outreach but the truth is that all demographic groups support him. When people realize that Barack Obama is not about race,religion,or political label and see he is about JUSTICE FOR ALL, they quickly cast off old divisive issues and vote for the best candidate.; Reply to this comment


by jaykay221 February 13, 2008 8:49 AM EST: I think the point is that Obama also needs to have adds that talk to latinos that speak English, not Spanish, as is the case for probably a majority. Perhaps he could have the ad in English as well - still targeted to the latino community.; Reply to this comment


by user168-2009 February 13, 2008 5:47 AM EST: The Clintons have nothing to say to a generation of young people looking for authenticity, honesty and transparency in their leaders and in their government.

That''s why more and more young people are turning to Barack Obama.

MARTIN EDWIN ANDERSEN

Well said!

I am 60 years old and I don''t think I want anything to do with these Hillbilly Crooks either. How many out there want a pair of crooks to represent them? Everything these Hillbillies did is deceitful and self-gratifying. Words such as wisdom, compassion, or courage just do not exist in their dictionary.

The Billary Hillbillies are shameless and loveless in misleading our youths by setting the worst of examples!

%u201CSetting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.%u201D

%u201CThe foundation of every state is the education of its youth.%u201D

%u201CTo know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.%u201D

%u201CKnowledge becomes evil if the aim be not virtuous.%u201D

%u201COne atom of the plane where He functions would shatter the world.%u201D

%u201CWhat is governing to him who cannot rule himself? Who cannot rule himself, how should he rule others?%u201D

KEEP THE HILLBILLIES OUT OF SIGHT!

NO CHILD SHOULD LEARN ANYTHING FROM THEM!; Reply to this comment


by minette7 February 13, 2008 5:43 AM EST: Besides not caring about race or gender which I stated in my previous comment i am also sick and tired of comments stating Senator Obama has no substance. Just go to his website where you will find detailed thoughts, plans, ideas for all the issues. He is incredibly thorough and writes about each topic in depth. he has great ideas for this country!!; Reply to this comment


by nikitia11 February 13, 2008 3:27 AM EST: Hello, TEXAS, OHIO, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, Hawaii, Washington, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wyoming, Mississippi, Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, Oregon, Montana, and South Dakota

******We have to do more than blog, donate, and make calls. We need some more muscle to help Hillary pull thru this last 4th quarter.

Pls sign up to volunteer for Phone parties, door to door campaigning, pass out Hillary gears and, educating voters, and offer rides on voting days, etc...

These are the things the Obama supporters are doing the best. They are being very dominent in these areas.

I live in the Dallas-Fort Area and only 8 events within 100miles. WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT. There are too many voters to reach.

There are people who want to be activate but don''t know where to go.

LET''S MAKE IT HAPPEN. HILLARY 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.hillaryclinton.com; Reply to this comment


by voteonpaper February 13, 2008 3:23 AM EST: For NM_Dem,
Next stop, with your help, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to have a serious talk with the Honorable Gov. Rendell. msnbc.msn.com/id/23134717/

Let no one fear the turning of the page that will usher in a new era of hope, peace, and justice.

Would anyone deny treatment of their critically ill child if the best practitioner was of a different color? If their child could realize a generation of hope, peace, and justice, would they deny that future if the leader was of mixed heritage?

We must not fear change simply because we are used to the way things are. America, home of the BRAVE!

VoteOnPaper - in Ohio; Reply to this comment


by Kysparky February 13, 2008 12:30 AM EST: Welcome to Meximerica; Reply to this comment


by princemilo February 13, 2008 12:29 AM EST: "Obama=Nice guy with no depth. Pander to anyone for a vote. Too bad, Obama is the same dog with a new set of fleas."

Posted by kevinloki

"kevinloki" = poster who attacks with no substance.

"No depth"? Check out one of his books. Or the record of his work in the community, the Harvard Law Review and in the political world (all available on numerous sites).

And see him in person.

If you do even 1/3 of those things and still come away with the idea he has "no depth", you''ll at least have an informed argument.; Reply to this comment


by princemilo February 13, 2008 12:26 AM EST: "If Obama wants to court the mexican vote in the spanish launguage the maybe he needs to go to mexico and run for the mexican presidency. We speak english here!!!!!!!!!!" KSparky

Hey Sparky,

"We" actually speak whatever language we want to here. It''s called freedom.

I''m all for putting a mandate on immigrants learning English. No doubt we''re a more efficient and well-connected society with a common language.

But in the meantime, in order to reach the maximum potential voters, both Clinton and Obama are wisely running Spanish speaking ads. Welcome to 2008.; Reply to this comment