WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats sought Tuesday to tap into their networks of local Hispanic leaders to increase party support and turnout in the effort to deny Republican Sen. John McCain the presidency.
The Democratic National Committee, in announcing its 2008 Hispanic Leadership Council, accused McCain of betraying Hispanics on immigration reform and failing to address critical issues such as the economy in an ad he produced in Spanish in New Mexico.
The council is made up of Hispanic professionals, business owners, activists and community leaders who have given at least $5,000 to the Democratic Party. It's led by Gilberto Ocanas, a Texas-based consultant who has worked on four presidential campaigns, and Ingrid Duran, a Washington consultant and former CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
"We shouldn't wait for people to engage us. We should engage our own folks," Ocanas said.
Republican National Committee spokesman Danny Diaz dismissed the criticism and said that McCain, the likely GOP nominee, "has the track record, the judgment and character to address the challenges America faces with all segments of the electorate, including Hispanics."
The GOP already has Hispanic team leaders working every day to get out the Hispanic vote and an advisory board working with the chairman on outreach to the Hispanic community, Diaz said.
"The Democrats may be announcing their effort, but we've been executing ours for 365 days a year," he said.
By SUZANNE GAMBOA - AP
April 23, 2008
Democrats look to local Hispanic leaders in anti-GOP efforts
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WOW!!! To me this sounds like courting votes at the last minute! This is where the D's fail. This type of strategy is going to bite them in the but later on. They feel like they have it in the bag & do not have to be consistent in reaching to Hispanics.
Let alone....You have to contribute $5,000 in order to be considered a part of the Leadership Council???!!! What kind of crap is that?
The R's have had their Leadership Council in place a long time ago & I am proud to sit on the Council.
As a matter of fact the RPOF Hispanic Leadership Council will be holding a conference & luncheon May 10th in Orlando. For any of you interested check out www.RPOF.org. No $5,000 needed to come!! That's my plug-in for the day!
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