Obama and Clinton speak to Hispanic Group, LaRaza, Today

[illinoisprogressive]

The occasion was the annual convention of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the large Hispanic civil rights

Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama arrived knowing their talking points: immigration, education, health care. All are issues traditionally crucial for Hispanic voters.

The difference was that Obama had another arrow in his quiver Äìhis opposition to the Iraq War from Day One.

Clinton initially voted to give President Bush the power to go to war in Iraq, although she has since become an opponent of the war. She made no mention of the conflict Sunday. But Obama drove home his point that lack of money for social programs important to Hispanics was partly due to the war.

"We are spending $275 million per day on the war," he told a crowded hall at the Miami Beach Convention Center. "It is time for us to start bringing our troops home." He also told the crowd that Hispanics are over-represented in the military and are at risk. His comments drew one the loudest ovations of the day.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/state/epaper/2007/07/22/0722speechfeed.html

[rhombus]

1. Richardson a no-show? That's surprising

I'm glad to see Hillary and Obama step up and court the Hispanic vote. Kudos to both of them.

[illinoisprogressive]

2. it did not say who was invited...

[maximusveritas]

3. He was invited, along with Edwards and the Republicans

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6798035,00.html
"Romney, fellow Republican candidates Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, and Democratic candidates John Edwards and Bill Richardson were also invited to the four-day La Raza conference but did not attend."

I know Richardson has spoken at that conference before, so I'm not sure why he couldn't make it this time. According to a poll I saw recently, he is trailing Hillary and Obama badly among Hispanic voters, so it's surprising that he would miss this chance to get his name out there.