President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign launched an advertising campaign today to attract Latino voters that it said would be a deciding factor in the general election.

The Latinos for Obama effort was rolled out one day after the national Republican Party and GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney unveiled their Hispanic outreach program to build support.

Obama advisers, including San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, swiftly sought to contrast Obama’s position on immigration with that of Romney, who has called for stringent immigration reforms and who opposes the DREAM Act.

“Make no mistake, Mitt Romney would be the most extreme nominee the Republican Party has ever had on immigration,” Castro said during a teleconference call with reporters arranged by the Obama campaign.

Castro, a national Obama for America co-chairman, said Romney is on the wrong side of every issue of concern to the Hispanic community.
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Thousands of supporters lined the streets of downtown Saturday afternoon, cheering and waving American flags to show their appreciation for Iraq veterans at a welcome home parade.
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“This is incredible,” said Tony Solomon, Iraq veteran and vice president of operations for the Lone Star Veterans Association. “It all comes back to you about being an American and everything you fought for and seeing all these civilians here and the color guard and the city behind you, it’s a great feeling.”
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“It feels good to see all these people. Texas and Houston are really good supporters of the troops,” said Greg, 34, who asked that his last name not be used. His cousin, Army Sgt. Omar Mora, died in Iraq in 2007.

Adults and children alike held signs thanking the troops while cheering as the veterans walked down Texas Avenue.

“I love the support of the community coming out,” Navy veteran Kelly Wilson said.
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