Democrats Focus on Hispanic Communities

The Democratic Party is focusing in on the Hispanic population in key states, including Nevada. New Obama television and radio ads began running in Spanish to appeal to the growing Latino community there. The ad addresses the economy and health care and mocks a statement by McCain that the fundamentals of the economy are strong.

Key issues to the Hispanic population include health care, education, immigration, and a sense of family. Nevada’s 11th District Assembly Member Ruben Kihuen is popular among the Hispanic community. Born in Mexico, Kihuen credits his success to his “personal touch” while campaigning. He says he knocked on doors and spoke with people then would follow up by writing each person a thank you note. Ultimately, Kihuen endorsed Clinton for president.

Community leaders such as Kihuen could have an impact on the turnout of the Hispanic voters in November. CNN reports Hispanics as making up 12% of eligible voters in Nevada and so turnout is crucial to the Obama campaign. A big hurdle is voter registration, and many cannot vote due to their illegal status.

Obama will need to continue rallying the Hispanic community and garnering the support of those who previously endorsed Hillary Clinton. The family ties Obama implies in his Spanish ad might help with addressing the personal touch Kihuen has been so successful with. Over the next few weeks the Obama campaign will need to watch carefully how effective the ads are in these communities and keep promoting voter registration to have influence in this swing state.