Republican, Democratic party leaders court Hispanics ((Dean - Libs Offer More In Politics))
Democratic and Republican leaders touted their parties' records on inclusion Tuesday, courting voters at the annual conference of a Hispanic civil rights group.
In a sign of the growing political clout of Hispanics, the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee chairmen both appeared at the event for the first time.
"There's a lot of talk about which party Hispanics in this country are most likely to affiliate with," DNC chairman Howard Dean said. "This is a party that will give opportunities for elected officials in politics to Latinos and Hispanics."
GOP Chairman Ken Mehlman shot back by listing Hispanics named by President Bush to his cabinet or to other prominent positions.
"This is the most diverse administration in history," Mehlman said.
Despite the courtship of the two parties, National Council of La Raza President Janet Murguia declared at the end of the speeches that "no political party or ideology owns us."
Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group in the United States with more than 41 million people and large populations in states such as California, Florida, New York and Texas that have many electoral votes.
While Hispanics have traditionally leaned toward Democrats, Bush garnered more than 40 percent of the group's vote in the last presidential election.
Mehlman also urged support for the Central American Free Trade Agreement intended to provide member nations opportunities for economic growth.
Dean, who peppered his speech with Spanish, said, "Free trade is good, but fair trade is better. We must have worker protection."
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/nati...al-48/1121811323314430.xml&storylist=national
Democratic and Republican leaders touted their parties' records on inclusion Tuesday, courting voters at the annual conference of a Hispanic civil rights group.
In a sign of the growing political clout of Hispanics, the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee chairmen both appeared at the event for the first time.
"There's a lot of talk about which party Hispanics in this country are most likely to affiliate with," DNC chairman Howard Dean said. "This is a party that will give opportunities for elected officials in politics to Latinos and Hispanics."
GOP Chairman Ken Mehlman shot back by listing Hispanics named by President Bush to his cabinet or to other prominent positions.
"This is the most diverse administration in history," Mehlman said.
Despite the courtship of the two parties, National Council of La Raza President Janet Murguia declared at the end of the speeches that "no political party or ideology owns us."
Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group in the United States with more than 41 million people and large populations in states such as California, Florida, New York and Texas that have many electoral votes.
While Hispanics have traditionally leaned toward Democrats, Bush garnered more than 40 percent of the group's vote in the last presidential election.
Mehlman also urged support for the Central American Free Trade Agreement intended to provide member nations opportunities for economic growth.
Dean, who peppered his speech with Spanish, said, "Free trade is good, but fair trade is better. We must have worker protection."
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/nati...al-48/1121811323314430.xml&storylist=national
