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 News from Around the Americas | December 2007 
Richardson, Democrats Coach Hispanic Audience on Caucus Politics
 Associated Press
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| | Despite spending more time in Nevada than any other candidate, Richardson has failed to gain traction in polling here, even as he occasionally breaks into double digits in Iowa and New Hampshire. |
Las Vegas - "Enero 19, Sabado."
Next week, billboards will go up advertising the caucus vote on Saturday, Jan. 19, reminding Hispanics to participate in the Democratic presidential nomination.
Starting Thursday, the party also will go on the air with Spanish radio ads.
The ads say, "We all talk about politics ... but what about participating?"
Kirsten Searer of the state Democratic Party said the ad campaign aims to "make sure the Hispanic community knows that we're inviting them to participate, we want them to participate, and it's easy to participate."
On Saturday, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was the guest of honor at a mock caucus at Rancho High School in North Las Vegas. The school sits in a heavily Hispanic neighborhood.
Brightly costumed girls and boys performed Hispanic folklore dances, and the school's own mariachi band played a set.
Richardson sprinkled his short speech with Spanish. Of mostly Mexican heritage and raised in Mexico City, he hopes to become the first Hispanic president.
Despite spending more time in Nevada than any other candidate, 20 days so far, Richardson has failed to gain traction in polling here, even as he occasionally breaks into double digits in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Speaking to reporters after addressing the crowd of about 150, Richardson said, "We want to be in the top three in Iowa, we want to be in the top three in New Hampshire, we want to be in the top three in Nevada," and then, he said, he stands a good chance in the Feb. 5 states, many of which are in the West.
Party staffers then conducted a practice caucus in which participants picked their favorite Hispanic celebrities. Salma Hayek and Shakira were the big winners.
Las Vegan Gloria Ely, 56, said she came with her husband and granddaughter because "we didn't know what a caucus is." She said she would definitely participate in January.
Ely said she liked what Richardson had to say and it was neat to see a candidate in person. But she said her decision would hinge on whom the ironworkers union, to which her husband belongs, chooses to endorse.
"Whoever they tell him to vote for, we'll support," she said. |
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