Kennedy's Illness, Obama, & Hispanic Voters?
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5/21/08- 2 words for you: Not Good.
Not good in many ways, and of course our best wishes go out to Senator Kennedy in his recovery. I met him just under a year ago at an event announcing Hispanic demographic results, together with Hispanic union leaders at the Senate building.
Long a supporter of immigrant issues (experts say since the 1960s) and a supporter of the working class...unions, and immigration issues, Ted Kennedy's support on the election front will be missed. Especially by Obama campaign, as Kennedy is an Obama supporter.
The two, Kennedy and Obama had been working together to make a dent in Clinton's Hispanic support. Kennedy. Senator Kennedy's brother Robert marched with Cesar Chavez long ago.
It will be interesting to see what the next Hispanic voter strategy move is, and whether the Kennedy illness will impact Hispanic supporter efforts on the Obama campaign.
As someone who has met Senator Kennedy, I wish him the best and can't wait to see him back at the Senate after he gets well to continue his support of Hispanic and union issues.
-Thalia Valencia
tvalencia@hispanic.com