Sen. Barack Obama, perhaps looking toward the general election before the nominee is decided, announced this morning a new "Obama Hispanic Leadership Council."
Frank Sanchez - who worked in the Clinton administration - will lead the effort, which Obama said would be aimed at "reaching out to Latinos about our campaign's vision to unite our country and expand our growing enthusiasm in the Latino community."
Sen. Hillary Clinton has fared better among Hispanic voters over the course of the campaign, but Obama notes on the trail he is making inroads and plans to continue targeting the growing segment of the electorate.
Here are portions of the release:
The Obama Campaign announced the appointment of Francisco "Frank" Sanchez, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Transportation, as the National Chair of Latino and Hispanic Fundraising. Sanchez, is also an advisor on Latin American policy for the campaign. In his new capacity, Sanchez will Co-Chair along with Illinois Attorney, Manny Sanchez, the Obama Hispanic Leadership Council. This newly formed Council will work with the national finance team to increase the already growing enthusiasm and fundraising efforts for the Obama campaign in the Hispanic Community."Barack Obama is the candidate in the race who will deliver change we can believe in," said Sanchez. "During the course of this campaign, we have seen thousands of inspired Latinos turning out to do whatever it takes to spread Senator Obama's message of bringing our country together. We need a president with the leadership and judgment to not only unite our country but specifically address the issues affecting Latinos; Senator Obama's record has proven that he will be a strong advocate for Latinos nationwide."
— Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (1)
I have noticed that since the Wisconsin primary, the strategy of fear and divisive politics has raised it�s ugly head once again. I�m actually old enough to remember the politics of the 1990�s, and it�s devastating effects on the Democratic Party. The slash and burn Clinton�s we knew well in the 1990�s, have returned �back from the future,� with a vengeance. Every democrat that remembers these political tactics, has to wonder whether the Clinton political machine is trying to re-destroy the new Democratic Party in year 2008. The political team that now claims to �embody� �change,� is seemingly very comfortable using the same old strategy of fear and divisive politics to reclaim their throne in the White House. Anyone truly interested in the future of our Democratic Party has to be very alarmed. The Clinton�s political strategy of slash and burn will serve them well now, but the eventual cost to the Democratic Party will be devastating once again. The same strategy of half-truths, nuance, fear mongering, and divisive ideological battles, that won the Clinton�s the presidency in 1992, and a subsequent New York Senate seat, will cost our national and local party seats and possibly the 2008 upcoming presidential election. The last time we allowed the Clintons to lead our party, we suffered historical political losses, never seen before in American politics. The net result of the divisive, self-serving Clinton political machine of the 90�s, shrank the Democratic Party base, and cost the party control of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. The sad result of the Clinton politics, and continuous scandals, eventually empowered George W. Bush past the setting democratic incumbent vice president, Al Gore in the 2000 presidential elections. As a result the republicans have took firm control of the United States Supreme Court, appointing 7 of the last 9 justices, currently serving. Looking at the complete picture, I don�t believe that the Clinton administration or politics have lead, served, or is currently serving our Democratic Party well in any capacity. We have to understand, that as a democrats, we have yet to fully recover from the political damage inflicted by the Clinton administration scandals, investigations, and politics during the �1990�s. As a party, if we don�t learn from our past mistakes, and demand a new leadership, we will surely suffer the same devastating consequences in this election year 2008 and beyond. We have to move forward as a party, and turn the page of manipulation and division, if we are going to expand our electorate and chart a stronger, more inclusive future for this country and the Democratic Party.
H. Thomas Smith
Posted by H. Thomas Smith | March 28, 2008 5:45 AM