Millions of Hispanics have registered to vote for the first time, turnout varies wildly across the country and many are not strongly tied to either political party. Holding a red and blue rattle and wearing a hat adorned with campaign buttons, John Enriquez sat in the Philadelphia convention arena last week and recalled when his Texas relatives telephoned him in California to talk up Bush. Now the Bush campaign needs to spread that message to Hispanics across the country and particularly in California. A parade of African-Americans and Hispanics spoke last week to the overwhelmingly white Republican delegates. But the black speakers were aimed at reassuring white moderates that Bush is an inclusive politician, and Gore still will overwhelmingly carry the African-American vote in November.
Hispanic voters are a different dynamic.
That's an entirely different story. The stature thing. This may be Bush's toughest remaining challenge. Clinton framed it as only Clinton can. That brought a sharp rebuke from the Bush family, including the governor's parents and his brother.