by Alex Meneses Miyashita
Antonio Villaraigoza
Addressing hundreds of Hispanic activists July 8 during the 79th annual convention of the League multipolarityof United Latin American Citizens in Washington, D. C., Democratic presidential candidate Barack Okama promised to push to ensure that comprehensive immigration reform passes before the end of his first term as president.
He criticized presumptive Republican opponent John McCain once again for “abandoning” a comprehensive immigration bill that McCain had cosponsored with Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) two years ago.
Speaking in San Diego July 14 at the National Council of La Raza conference, McCain responded to Obama’s suggestive comments that “he turned his back on comprehensive reform out of political necessity.”
McCain recalled aiding Kennedy and also trying to get the bill passed.
“My campaign was written off as a lost cause. I did so, not just because I believed it was the right thing to do for Hispanic Americans. It was the right thing to do for all Americans,” McCain said.
At the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials conference in the capital a week earlier, both candidates said that if elected they would make immigration reform a priority in their first 100 days in office. At NALEO, neither had specifically stated a time frame to pass a bill.
This was the second of three appearances by the two major presidential candidates before national Hispanic organizations this summer. Both candidates spoke this week at the NCLR conference, where Obama continued to emphasize that immigration reform will be a top priority in his first year in office.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who traveled to Washington, D.C to promote the Democratic candidate, pointed out that having the contenders speak before NALEO, LULAC and NCLR shows “that the Hispanic vote is key.’’
Unlike the Q&A format used at NALEO, the candidates limited their remarks to prepared speeches when addressing LULAC.
Members of the audience punctuated Obama’s presentation with loud cheers, bringing their voices in unison on occasion with chants of “¡SI se puede!”
McCain, who spoke four hours before Obama, was received with applause and some cheers.
Obama said the nation needs a president who “won’t walk away from comprehensive immigration reform when it becomes politically unpopular.”
He added it is time to bring the 12 million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and put them on a path to citizenship after they pay a fine and go to the back of the naturalization wait line.
McCain stated it is necessary to show to the U.S. public that “we can secure the borders first.”
Then, he added, there are “economic and humanitarian responsibilities as well.”
Republicans claimed Obama has yet to show any leadership on the issue of comprehensive reform the way McCain has.
Eric Rojo, national president of the Hispanic War Veterans of America, said McCain is the better choice for Hispanics because the GOP candidate knows the community well and shares its values.
Villaraigosa, who supported Hillary Clinton in the primary season but is now rallying Latino support for Obama, said McCain’s policies areas full of “division and distraction” as those of the Bush administration. He added that if McCain is elected it will lead to “four more years of economic stagnation.”
Obama wrapped up his speech calling for support from Hispanics, adding, “Now is the time to vote.”
A Gallup Poll in June showed him leading McCain among Hispanic registered voters, 59 percent-29 percent. Hispanic Link.
