Wall Street Journal (Article by Laura Meckler): President Barack Obama's effort to court Hispanics, a key electoral bloc, continued Wednesday as his press office announced a White House American Latino Heritage Forum, meant to "celebrate the past and ongoing contributions of American Latinos who have helped shape America's rich and diverse history."
Mr. Obama, who badly needs a big turnout from Latino voters next year, will speak at the forum, scheduled for Oct. 12. Latino voters favored Mr. Obama by a wide margin in 2008 but many are frustrated by his inability to pass immigration legislation, coupled with his administration's record number of deportations.
Republicans have sensed an opening and are working to court these voters, too, although their party is chiefly responsible for blocking the immigration legislation -- both a broad overhaul that would provide a path to citizenship for those in the U.S. illegally, and more narrow bill that would aid young people brought here as children.
The fast-growing Hispanic vote is particularly important in several states expected to be pivotal next year, including Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Florida. The Obama campaign hopes to offset the expected drop-off in support among white voters with Hispanic turnout, which depends on both keeping his approval numbers high with these voters, and getting large numbers to the polls.
Next week's forum will be held at the Interior Department, which takes the lead in figuring out how to reflect American culture through parks and museums, the White House said. Holding the forum there also allows the administration to showcase Secretary Ken Salazar, a high-profile Hispanic serving in the Obama cabinet. The event is timed to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
These type of events typically pass with little mention in the mainstream press, but the White House media operation works to attract extensive coverage from the Spanish press in hopes of reaching everyday Hispanic voters and let them know about the White House interest.
The White House said that it expects participation from a "broad spectrum" of scholars, business and cultural leaders from the Hispanic community. It will feature three panels: "Recognizing the Contributions of the American Latino in the American Economy," "Honoring the Contributions of American Latinos from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan," and "Celebrating the Contributions of American Latino Heritage in Arts and Culture."
Mr. Obama, who badly needs a big turnout from Latino voters next year, will speak at the forum, scheduled for Oct. 12. Latino voters favored Mr. Obama by a wide margin in 2008 but many are frustrated by his inability to pass immigration legislation, coupled with his administration's record number of deportations.
Republicans have sensed an opening and are working to court these voters, too, although their party is chiefly responsible for blocking the immigration legislation -- both a broad overhaul that would provide a path to citizenship for those in the U.S. illegally, and more narrow bill that would aid young people brought here as children.
The fast-growing Hispanic vote is particularly important in several states expected to be pivotal next year, including Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Florida. The Obama campaign hopes to offset the expected drop-off in support among white voters with Hispanic turnout, which depends on both keeping his approval numbers high with these voters, and getting large numbers to the polls.
Next week's forum will be held at the Interior Department, which takes the lead in figuring out how to reflect American culture through parks and museums, the White House said. Holding the forum there also allows the administration to showcase Secretary Ken Salazar, a high-profile Hispanic serving in the Obama cabinet. The event is timed to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
These type of events typically pass with little mention in the mainstream press, but the White House media operation works to attract extensive coverage from the Spanish press in hopes of reaching everyday Hispanic voters and let them know about the White House interest.
The White House said that it expects participation from a "broad spectrum" of scholars, business and cultural leaders from the Hispanic community. It will feature three panels: "Recognizing the Contributions of the American Latino in the American Economy," "Honoring the Contributions of American Latinos from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan," and "Celebrating the Contributions of American Latino Heritage in Arts and Culture."
No comments:
Post a Comment