Battle for Texas Latino vote challenges conventional wisdom

[babylonsister]

Battle for Texas Latino vote challenges conventional wisdom
Some analysts say Clinton is the front-runner, but a new report shows Obama has erased her advantage among Latinos.

By Juan Castillo
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, February 20, 2008


Political strategists trying to size up the race between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are talking a lot about former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk these days.

When he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2002, Kirk — an African American originally from East Austin — was virtually unknown in predominantly Mexican American South Texas. So, he blitzed the region, appearing there 15 times during his campaign.

It was a reliable strategy thatpaid off in one of the poorest regions in the nation but historically one of the richest sources of Democratic votes in Texas.

"It was a love affair, if you will," Kirk recalled. "They fell in love with me, and I did fall in love with them."

In fact, Kirk beat a Hispanic candidate in the primary with strong support among Latinos statewide.

Though he ultimately lost to Republican John Cornyn, Kirk's success with Hispanics undermines the oft-quoted idea that antipathy between blacks and Latinos will hinder Obama's own pursuit of Hispanic votes.

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http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/02/20/0220latvote.html