The Ad War for the Hispanic Vote

A NY Times editorial decried the shabby politics being played by both presidential candidates in their television ads in Spanish. John McCain started by accusing Barack Obama of killing comprehensive reform by adding "poison pills" to last year's Senate bill. The Obama campaign responded by "sliming" McCain "as a friend and full-bore ally of restrictionists like Rush Limbaugh". The Times does not think the Bush administration is helping with its ICE raids and ignoring of labor law when it comes to immigrants. It asks that the candidates return to a rational tone as they used in the early campaign.

. . . HOW WORRIED ARE HISPANICS? PEW HISPANIC CENTER FINDS PLENTY!
A recent survey by the Pew Hispanic Center found that Hispanic voters are favoring Barach Obama very strongly. While forty percent of Hispanic voters had supported George W. Bush in 2004, less than a third favor John McCain this year. That explains his targeting ads to Hispanics in the swing states of Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado, The appeal of Obama, who they did not support in large numbers during the primaries, reflects the fear in Hispanic communities of the raids and economic stress because of joblessness and the foreclosures. Interestingly, substantially more Hispanics think race is an asset rather than a hindrance for Obama.