From The Road
June 28, 2008 1:56 PM

Obama Addresses Latino Officials

By
Maria Gavrilovic
Topics
Barack Obama
(CBS)
From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

(WASHINGTON) Barack Obama stressed the importance of the Latino vote today, arguing that the election may depend on their vote. While speaking at the the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Conference, Obama said, "I have to have your help. This election could well come down to how many Latinos turn out to vote."

Obama, who spoke after John McCain, received several standing ovations and cheers from the group. He often used the key Spanish campaign phrase, "Si Se Puede" (Yes, we can), and told the crowd that he hopes there is a Hispanic nominee for president soon.

"I'm proud to be here today not just as the Democratic nominee for President, but as the first African American nominee of my party, and I'm hoping that somewhere out in this audience sits the person who will become the first Latino nominee of a major party."

Earlier today, Obama visited wounded troops at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The campaign announced that he will travel to the Middle East and Europe this summer but did not specify when. He is also expected to travel to Iraq and Afghanistan before the Democratic convention in August.

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