If the importance of the Latino vote in this year's presidential election weren't already clear, two major events last week made sure to drive that point home: first, President Obama announced that he would defer deportations for some, younger undocumented immigrants; then, just days later, both the President and Mitt Romney made sure to show up to address the largest gathering of Latinos in the country: the 29th Annual NALEO conference in Florida.
NALEO stands for the National Association of Latino Elected and appointed Officials, so both Governor Romney and President Obama didn't miss the chance to be in a room of very influential Latinos and try to rally voters to their side.
The President's immigration announcement last week left Mr. Romney--who has touted self-deportation for illegal immigrants, and said in Republican debates that Arizona's harsh immigration enforcement law, SB 1070, should be a model for the nation--with some ground to make up with Latino Americans. Hispanics wanted to hear from Romney about, among other things, whether he would leave Mr. Obama's new policy in place, or if he would rescind it once he were in office. (Romney did address the subject, but with very few details, and no straight answer on the question). From President Obama, they wanted to hear if he would continue to support that issue, and others important to the Latino community. I was in the room during the President's speech, and I could see that he enjoyed more support from the attendees than his opponent. READ MORE
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