The Latino Vote
Clinton wins California with Latino vote on Tuesday—will it help her win Texas?
Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Hillary Clinton is joined by Senator Bob Menendez at a "Solutions for America" Rally in Hackensack, New Jersey, January 23, 2008. (Photo: ©Jeff Zelevansky/Reuters)
The Clinton campaign declared Thursday that the Latino vote could determine whether Senator Hillary Clinton is going to be the next Democratic candidate for the 2008 presidential election.
Senator Robert Menedez and Campaign Manager Patti Solis declared in a conference call two days after Super Tuesday that the Latino vote is going to be essential in the upcoming elections. It will be particularly important in the primary election in Texas, which takes place on March 4. About one-fourth of registered voters in Texas are Latino.
Super Tuesday on February 5 showed that the Latino vote was a "definitive factor" for Hillary Clinton's victory in California, the campaign said. On Super Tuesday the exit polls gave Clinton 67 percent of the Latino vote compared with the 32 percent who voted for Barack Obama received. Clinton won similar majorities in her home state of New York and in neighboring New Jersey.
"The Latino vote is not a sleeping giant any more and it is a central part of the American democracy," said New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, who is the son of immigrants.
He said that Clinton has a long standing relationship with the Hispanic community. The main attraction is not just the immigration issue, he said, but also her plans to provide a better live to the working class, which includes most of the Latino community.
Menendez also explained that Clinton wants to restore America's middle class. Her message to Latino voters is that she cares about the issues that involve them and their families. Clinton will confront the growing problems in the economy and provide affordable health care for everyone, Menendez said.
Campaign Manager Patti Sollis agreed, saying the Latino vote will deliver the Texas delegates to Clinton. She also announced that the Clinton campaign raised more than $4 million online the day after polls closed on Super Tuesday.
Obama's campaign raised more than $7.5 million online in the two days after Super Tuesday. Clinton's campaign reported a total of $6.4 million raised over the Internet in the same time period.
Money is as important as votes at this point. Without money, the candidates will not be able to advertise in key states voting over the next few weeks, including delegate-rich Texas.
Check back often to get the latest news from the campaign trail, as the Scholastic Kids Press Corps continues to follow the candidates around the country.
Lya Ferreyra is a Kid Reporter in the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.
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