Latino vote 'up for grabs,' could swing election

 

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When several Democratic speakers announced their support for Obama, "I was the only person at my table clapping," said Michele Martinez, a City Council member from Santa Ana, Calif. "There's still some sensitivity in the Latino community."

Patricia Lopez, a Democratic member of the Phoenix school board, said she will probably vote for Obama. But, she said, "it's really hard" because of the loyalty she feels toward Clinton. "She was my hero," Lopez said.

Delia Garcia, a Democratic state representative from Kansas who had supported Clinton, said she has switched allegiances to Obama. She said most Hispanic Democrats will follow suit if Obama makes more of an effort to reach out to Latino voters and make Latinos "part of his top staff."

Obama recently hired Patty Solis Doyle, a longtime Clinton aide who is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Doyle, who left her post as Clinton's campaign manager after a staff shake-up in February, is to serve as chief of staff to Obama's vice presidential nominee.