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CNN Saturday Morning News
Hispanics are now the Largest Ethnic Minority in United States
Aired June 28, 2003 - 09:40 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.
KRIS OSBORN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, a recent Census report shows Hispanics are now the largest ethnic minority in the United States. So it is no surprise that numerous politicians are aggressively courting them. Both parties will have candidates at today's conference of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.
CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is also there. She joins us now live from Phoenix. Hello, Thelma.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Kris.
Well, the candidates will be here in Phoenix to present their best case in front of some 1,300 elected Latino leaders today. Now, at this conference, they are expecting quite a turnout. All of this is very significant, because those leaders represent thousands more behind them who are influential in their own communities.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUTIERREZ (voice-over): Phoenix, Arizona.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God, I am so happy to be back home!
GUTIERREZ: It's a who's who of political players this weekend. Arizona Senator John McCain, former U.S. secretary of housing Henry Cisneros, and White House chief counsel Al Gonzalez.
GREGORY RODRIGUEZ, NEW AMERICAN FOUNDATION: The presence of both parties at this NALEO 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, seven Democratic candidates are making an appearance at the annual conference of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials -- John Kerry, John Edwards, Howard Dean, Richard Gephardt, 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: And so 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.
COLLINS: And I hope that they will come, and not only support us for a few hours, to come and go, leave and go back to Washington, D.C., and we're forgotten.
COLLINS: 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.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUTIERREZ: Now, later this morning, the candidates will address issues in an open forum. Among the top issues of concern, economic growth, higher education for children, and, of course, immigration.
Kris, back to you.
OSBORN: Well, Thelma, as you mentioned, I imagine you'll hear a lot of discussion about the kinds of policies that a future administration might embrace on the part of Hispanics in that voting bloc.
GUTIERREZ: I'm sorry, Kris. I'm losing you. Can you please repeat that?
OSBORN: Oh, that's all right. Yes, I was asking you, I expect, partly, as you were saying, that you're likely to hear a lot of discussion about policies which favor things Hispanic voters might like.
OK, I think we had a technical glitch, but we thank Thelma Gutierrez for that very important report at the Hispanic conference.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
States>
Aired June 28, 2003 - 09:40 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KRIS OSBORN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, a recent Census report shows Hispanics are now the largest ethnic minority in the United States. So it is no surprise that numerous politicians are aggressively courting them. Both parties will have candidates at today's conference of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.
CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is also there. She joins us now live from Phoenix. Hello, Thelma.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Kris.
Well, the candidates will be here in Phoenix to present their best case in front of some 1,300 elected Latino leaders today. Now, at this conference, they are expecting quite a turnout. All of this is very significant, because those leaders represent thousands more behind them who are influential in their own communities.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUTIERREZ (voice-over): Phoenix, Arizona.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God, I am so happy to be back home!
GUTIERREZ: It's a who's who of political players this weekend. Arizona Senator John McCain, former U.S. secretary of housing Henry Cisneros, and White House chief counsel Al Gonzalez.
GREGORY RODRIGUEZ, NEW AMERICAN FOUNDATION: The presence of both parties at this NALEO 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, seven Democratic candidates are making an appearance at the annual conference of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials -- John Kerry, John Edwards, Howard Dean, Richard Gephardt, 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: And so 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.
COLLINS: And I hope that they will come, and not only support us for a few hours, to come and go, leave and go back to Washington, D.C., and we're forgotten.
COLLINS: 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.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUTIERREZ: Now, later this morning, the candidates will address issues in an open forum. Among the top issues of concern, economic growth, higher education for children, and, of course, immigration.
Kris, back to you.
OSBORN: Well, Thelma, as you mentioned, I imagine you'll hear a lot of discussion about the kinds of policies that a future administration might embrace on the part of Hispanics in that voting bloc.
GUTIERREZ: I'm sorry, Kris. I'm losing you. Can you please repeat that?
OSBORN: Oh, that's all right. Yes, I was asking you, I expect, partly, as you were saying, that you're likely to hear a lot of discussion about policies which favor things Hispanic voters might like.
OK, I think we had a technical glitch, but we thank Thelma Gutierrez for that very important report at the Hispanic conference.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
States>
