by Jose de la Isla and Jackie Guzman
John McCain
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama hit hard at John McCain, his absent opponent, at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s gala at Washington, D.C.’s convention center Sept. 10.
He expanded on his reform theme to an audience of 2,300 political and social activists trying it to Latino community concerns. He called the imperative for change “a debate I look forward to have” with the Republican nominee who serves with him in the U.S. Senate. The first of three scheduled presidential debates is set for Sept. 26 in Oxford, Mississippi.
McCain was also invited to address the gala, but his campaign declined, citing a scheduling conflict. Had he accepted, he would have faced a mostly Democratic audience in a preview of the narrowing themes expected in the presidential debates.
As the flashpoint theme, immigration—in its broadest considerations—increasingly is a central focus in making appeals to Hispanic audiences. Domestic economics, the Iraq/Afghan wars, policy experience and capacity for the job have dominated the national discourse. The topic of immigration reform has often been skirted.
Due largely to strident legislative efforts by some GOP members of Congress to launch legislation that would criminalize undocumented immigrants, the Republican Party isn’t viewed favorably among pro-reform Latino elements within the party and among other sympathizers.
A recent study by Sergio Bendixen shows the position in several critical states has the potential to cost the GOP.
Barack Obama
“There are many ways to describe Senator McCain’s agenda,” Obama told the audience, “but change isn’t one of them.”
He referred to immigrants who “come here with so little, but with big dreams, big hearts and a willingness to struggle and sacrifice.” He related this to the experience of his own father, who came from Kenya to study when he met Obama’s mother.
The candidate referred to the oft-repeated line that McCain would be a continuation of the “failed policies of the folks in the White House. “
He called for a “stop of the hateful rhetoric” about the 12 million undocumented people “living in the shadows.”
Joe Baca
About McCain’s prior position on immigration reform, when he co-sponsored with Sen. Edward Kennedy a reform bill, then rescinded his position, Obama said, “If you cannot trust him to stand up for reform in his own party, how can you trust him to stand for reform in Washington?”
Obama had been leading in national polls until recent polling showed some weakening following the Republican convention and McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate.
“I can’t do this alone,” he pleaded. “So I’m here tonight to ask for your help. Latinos will make the election difference in Florida, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico and the election outcome. So I’m not taking a single Hispanic vote for granted in this campaign.”
CHCI spokesman Scott Gunderson Rosa said both presidential candidates were extended invitations in early spring to address the gala audience. A day prior to McCain’s Sept. 10 scheduled appearance, h is campaign sent a letter to CHCI chairman Joe Baca and executive director Esther Aguilera saying “an unforeseen scheduling conflict” would prevent the senator’s appearance.
The Sept. 9 letter followed an Aug. 28 CHCI press release stating McCain had agreed to address the group. McCain campaign spokesperson Hessy Fernández told Weekly Report,, “Sen. John McCain never confirmed that he would be attending.”
In addition to the Sept. 26 debate, others between the two candidates are set for Oct. 7 and 15. Vice-presidential candidates Sarah Palin and Joseph Biden will debate Oct. 2. Hispanic Link.
