All Eyes on the Latino vote
It's the politics of immigration, that's taking center stage in the Presidential race. Both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, are set to address a major Latino leadership conference, in Florida. The president's shift in immigration policy, will be the hot topic.
President Obama's announcement about the US switch in immigration policy, has set off a quite a debate. Some say Obama's decision to stay deportation on youth, is purely a political decision. Others wonder how, if any way, Romney could counter it.
David Redlawsk,a political analyst at Rutgers University says, "I think it was politically brilliant. Two-thirds of Hispanic Americans are supportive of the president anyway. But there's been quite a lot of grumbling over the last couple years, about the slow pace of what they would see as appropriate immigration policy."
Some experts think Latinos will play a pivotal role in the November election.Especially in the state-by-state race for electoral votes.
"Hispanic-Americans hold the key in a number of states, Arizona, Colorado, new Mexico, California. they are important on the east coast," adds Redlawsk.
Which makes it difficult for Mitt Romney, to counter the president's move, too vigorously.
Redlawsk explains, "He certainly didn't take on the president. He played a bit with the executive order instead of Congress. But he knows he's on the wrong side of it, if he attacks it. He knows the Latino vote is critically important, in particularly the southwest part of the country and in Florida."
David Redlawsk and the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers University, recently took a poll ,that included asking New Jersians what they thought about the 'Dream Act' - nearly 80% supported it, to some degree.
"Democrats are more strongly supportive than Republicans. But really across the board, there's been a lot of support for allowing these young people to get a path toward citizenship," adds Redlawsk.
And other parts of the country agree. Increasing the pressure on Obama and Romney to be on the prevailing side of this issue.
Redlawsk deliberates, "As the fastest-growing population in the United States, their political clout is growing rapidly as well, and both parties recognize their need to get that support."
All eyes are on Romney, as he spells out his policy on immigration. At best, it has to come close to Obama's, if Romney has to have any chance of winning the Latino vote.
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