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McCain, Obama woo Hispanics with economic plans

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

July 9, 2008

WASHINGTON - Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama pitched competing economic plans to Hispanics yesterday, the second time in as many weeks the presidential candidates directly appealed to the critical constituency.

Each stressed support for comprehensive immigration reform, a bedrock issue for Latinos, in separate speeches to the League of United Latin American Citizens.

But each was primarily focused on making his case that he could best lead the country out of economic straits and help the middle class achieve prosperity.

LULAC advocates social and economic policies benefiting Hispanics, and both candidates sought to show they could help voters struggling with gas prices, job layoffs and home foreclosures.

"At its core, the economy isn't the sum of an array of bewildering statistics," McCain said. "It's about the aspirations of the American people to build a better life for their families; dreams that begin with a job."

Obama struck a similar chord, saying in remarks prepared for delivery later that the election is about "making sure that we have a government that knows that a problem facing any American is a problem facing all Americans" and "giving all Americans a fair shot at the American dream."

"I have a plan to grow the economy, create more and better jobs and get America moving again," McCain said, promising to help small businesses prosper, make health care more affordable, improve education and free the country from its dependence on foreign oil."

But "if you believe you should pay more taxes, I am the wrong candidate for you," McCain said. "Jobs are the most important thing our economy creates."

Obama promised to cut taxes for small business owners, end tax breaks for companies that "ship jobs overseas," solve the housing crisis, help struggling homeowners and invest in infrastructure to create jobs in the hard-hit construction industry.

He also laced his speech with criticisms of McCain's economic plans, and accused McCain again of backing off comprehensive immigration reform.

"For eight long years we've had a president who made all kinds of promises to Latinos on the campaign trail but failed to live up to them in the White House, and we can't afford that anymore," Obama said.

McCain and Obama are courting Hispanics, who could tip the balance in battleground states of Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and others with large numbers of Spanish-speaking voters.

A recent AP-Yahoo News poll showed that Obama leads McCain among Hispanics, 47 percent to 22 percent with 26 percent undecided.