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CNN Live Saturday
Politicians Court Latino Voters
Aired June 28, 2003 - 16:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Politicians of all stripes are concentrating on Latinos this weekend as a bipartisan battle shapes up to win over the nation's new largest minority. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez reports from Phoenix.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a who's who of political players in Phoenix this weekend. Arizona Senator John McCain. Former U.S. Secretary of Housing Henry Cisneros, and White House chief counsel, Al Gonzales.
GREGORY RODRIGUEZ, NEW AMERICA FOUNDATION: The presence of both parties at this (UNINTELLIGIBLE) convention seems to tell us that both parties are interested that the Latino vote is not to be taken for granted, and both -- and that the Latino vote is in play.
GUTIERREZ: Case in point, eight Democratic candidates made an appearance at the annual conference of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.
John Kerry. John Edwards. Howard Dean.
REP. DICK GEPHARDT (D-MO), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Governor, good morning.
GUTIERREZ: Richard Gephardt, Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton. Appearing via satellite, Joe Lieberman, and Bob Graham.
HENRY CISNEROS, FORMER HOUSING SECRETARY: If one were a presidential candidate, this is the place to be this weekend.
GUTIERREZ: According to the latest census, it's simple. Estimates show Latinos now number 38.8 million, and are the number one minority group in the nation.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: It's the growth of the Hispanic vote is a critical item. And I'm proud to have received over 50 percent of the Hispanic vote in my last two elections.
GUTIERREZ: But many here say it's not about a candidate making an appearance, it's about accountability.
ERLINDA TORRES, HISPANIC ACTIVIST: And I hope that they will come, and not only court us for a few hours, to come and go, leave and go back to Washington, D.C., and then we're forgotten. LINDA MAZON GUTIERREZ, HISPANIC ACTIVIST: This conference is dedicated to the further election of more Latino officials across the United States, which does, in fact, include Latino women. I mean, it is just imperative that we're there, playing at the table with the big boys.
CISNEROS: If I were advising one of these candidates, I would say find the most uplifting, aspirational content, and identify yourself with where this community wants to go.
GUTIERREZ (on camera): The winning platform, according to the leadership here, must address economic growth, education, and immigration, issues that can help pave the way to the American dream for Latinos.
Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Phoenix, Arizona.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 28, 2003 - 16:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Politicians of all stripes are concentrating on Latinos this weekend as a bipartisan battle shapes up to win over the nation's new largest minority. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez reports from Phoenix.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a who's who of political players in Phoenix this weekend. Arizona Senator John McCain. Former U.S. Secretary of Housing Henry Cisneros, and White House chief counsel, Al Gonzales.
GREGORY RODRIGUEZ, NEW AMERICA FOUNDATION: The presence of both parties at this (UNINTELLIGIBLE) convention seems to tell us that both parties are interested that the Latino vote is not to be taken for granted, and both -- and that the Latino vote is in play.
GUTIERREZ: Case in point, eight Democratic candidates made an appearance at the annual conference of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.
John Kerry. John Edwards. Howard Dean.
REP. DICK GEPHARDT (D-MO), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Governor, good morning.
GUTIERREZ: Richard Gephardt, Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton. Appearing via satellite, Joe Lieberman, and Bob Graham.
HENRY CISNEROS, FORMER HOUSING SECRETARY: If one were a presidential candidate, this is the place to be this weekend.
GUTIERREZ: According to the latest census, it's simple. Estimates show Latinos now number 38.8 million, and are the number one minority group in the nation.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: It's the growth of the Hispanic vote is a critical item. And I'm proud to have received over 50 percent of the Hispanic vote in my last two elections.
GUTIERREZ: But many here say it's not about a candidate making an appearance, it's about accountability.
ERLINDA TORRES, HISPANIC ACTIVIST: And I hope that they will come, and not only court us for a few hours, to come and go, leave and go back to Washington, D.C., and then we're forgotten. LINDA MAZON GUTIERREZ, HISPANIC ACTIVIST: This conference is dedicated to the further election of more Latino officials across the United States, which does, in fact, include Latino women. I mean, it is just imperative that we're there, playing at the table with the big boys.
CISNEROS: If I were advising one of these candidates, I would say find the most uplifting, aspirational content, and identify yourself with where this community wants to go.
GUTIERREZ (on camera): The winning platform, according to the leadership here, must address economic growth, education, and immigration, issues that can help pave the way to the American dream for Latinos.
Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Phoenix, Arizona.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
