SAN DIEGO, California (AFP)
July 14, 2008 — Democrat
Barack Obama on Sunday
promised Hispanic Americans,
a key voting bloc, to press
for immigration reform and
improved access to health
care in his first year if
elected to the White House.
"The system isn't working
when 12 million people live
in hiding, and hundreds of
thousands cross our borders
illegally each year," Obama
told the 40th annual
National Council of La Raza
convention, an influential
Latino group.
"I fought with you in the
Senate for comprehensive
immigration reform, and I
will make it a top priority
in my first year as
president," he said.
Obama laid out his stance on
health care, status of
illegal migrants and small
businesses, and acknowledged
that the Hispanic population
in the United States,
numbering some 44 million in
all, will be key to his bid
to defeat Republican John
McCain.
"Make no mistake about it:
the Latino community holds
this election in your hands.
Some of the closest contests
this November will be in
states like Florida,
Colorado, Nevada and New
Mexico, states with large
Latino populations."
In his 30-minute speech,
Obama vowed to "take on the
drug and insurance
companies, cut costs,
guarantee health insurance
for anyone who needs it and
make it affordable for
anyone who wants it."
He also said he has a plan
to "help more employers
provide health benefits for
their workers," adding it
was an "idea championed by
my friend Hillary Clinton,
who's been leading the way
in our battle to insure
every American."
"But I can't do this alone,
so I'm here today to ask for
your help," he told the
crowd of 2,000.
"Just think how powerful you
could be on November 4th if
you translate your numbers
into votes."
A Gallup survey earlier this
month showed Obama enjoys 59
percent support among
Hispanic registered voters
nationwide.
