Obama Returns To the Lone Star State

By: Maria Gavrilovic
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

SAN ANTONIO, TEX. -- Barack Obama began courting voters in Texas today, where early voting for the March 4th primary began. Even though Obama was in President Bush's home state, Obama didn't shy away from criticizing him.

"I love Texas but I want you all to take him back!" Obama said to a crowd of thousands.

Today was Obama's first visit to Texas since November, a state with 193 pledged delegates up for grabs. His greatest obstacle in the primary could be picking up the Hispanic vote. In past contests, Hillary Clinton has outperformed Obama with Latino voters.

Obama hosted an economic roundtable and a town hall meeting in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood in San Antonio. He made a concerted effort to show differences between himself and Hillary Clinton. At the roundtable, Obama called Clinton's proposal to freeze mortgage rates "disastrous".

"She says we need to freeze the monthly rate on existing adjustable rate mortgages for at least five years," Obama said.

"That will reward folks who made this problem worse and it will also reward folks who are wealthy and don't need it - but it won't target the struggling homeowners who need help most."

At the town hall meeting, Obama called Clinton a "capable and smart person," but argued that he will be able to attract more independent and Republican voters in a general election.

"What we need right now is somebody who can bring the country together, who can get past some of the old arguments, some of the old bickering, some of the old polarization," Obama said.

"I also think that I can attract independents and Republicans in a way that she can't do and if you are running against John McCain you have to attract independents and Republicans in order to win."

Throughout both events, Obama spoke of issues that are of particular interest to Hispanic voters. He said bilingual education is critical in early education and spoke about helping young people who are trapped in "barrios."

Even though he tried his best to throw in a line or two in Spanish, Obama made a blunder near the end when he mistakenly used the word "siesta" for "fiesta."

"We are having a little siesta out here, a little party," Obama joked with the crowd.

5 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment


by b-easy63 February 20, 2008 12:14 PM EST: Get a clue Obama--try to point out in a nice way--Clinton reneging on granting DL to illegals in NYC, and her failure to vote on the amnesty bill (tricky there since you also abstained--but he who throws the first punch) point out how Clinton only supports minorities when she needs them--all other times, it is wink, wink, "I''ll take care of you when it gets dark, just go along with my pretending you don''t exist" kind of philosophy. LIke Blacks--Hispanics are conditioned to expect to be taken care of and expecting to get crumbs and matter every 4 years or so--but the proof should not wait until a few months before an election. If Hilary is in the Hispanic corner--why did she fire her Hispanic campaign mgr and replace her? Why did she renege on the promise of DLs in NY? Why did she ABSTAIN from voting on illegal immigration. Could it be? That to appease the centrist GOP vote, she plans on being for tough immigration as well as for it--depending on which crowd she is in front of? Will the real Hilary Clinton please stand up?; Reply to this comment


by memekiller February 20, 2008 2:47 AM EST: I went to Obama''s victory speech in Houston, and he packed the Toyota Center where they hold the Rocket''s games. And the only cultists I saw were Bloomberg''s army handing out brochures for David Broder''s Unity ''08 astroturf "Draft-a-Billionaire" movement.

My ten-year-old nephew applauded Obama''s call to end the horrendous TAKS test in Texas. Then Obama said kids should turn off the TV, so now he''s undecided.; Reply to this comment


by paris1969 February 19, 2008 10:50 PM EST: Obama Returns To the Lone Star State

WHO CARES!!!
GET BACK BARACK ... HILLARY ALL THE WAY FOR THE USA!!!!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by l00ker February 19, 2008 10:07 PM EST: That may be true, but he also appears to be one who will give ear to an alternative. It may be just the audacity of hope ( pun intended) which is driving this belief, but the reality of all things considered, will make it almost impossible for him, to continue these disasterous policies. And if he does, he should be fought tooth and nail all the way.; Reply to this comment


by compr0 February 19, 2008 9:14 PM EST: Barack Obama has captivated voters from all parties with his refreshing new style of rhetoric. He has the voting record to back his criticism of the Iraq war. But like his CFR colleagues, he vows to continue the pursuit of a shadowy enemy under the vague threat of "terrorism" - a policy that has cost citizens their personal liberties, trillions in debt and untold lives. Money continues to be being printed out of thin air by the private run-for-profit Federal Reserve, while China remains leveraged with over $1 trillion in US dollar holdings. In the middle east, the CFR''s blank check for U.S. military operations will deplete U.S. resources while inciting sectarian strife and anti-U.S. sentiment, ignoring the history of blowback as documented by the CIA. Obama is captivating unlike most of his competition but guarantees more of the same costly foreign policy that protects corporate interests and isolates the US. Like his colleagues, Barack Obama''s stated foreign policy intentions foment the long term militarization and balkanization of the middle east while resources will continue to be spent in deficit to finance an illegal foreign policy.; Reply to this comment