By Howard Koplowitz
A group of young, politically active Latino voters had their eyes glued to the big screen televisions inside an Elmhurst bar last week as they viewed the final debate between U.S. Sens. Barack Obama (D−Ill.) and John McCain (R−Ariz.)
They belonged to the Queens chapter of a grassroots group called NY Latinos for Obama, which has about 50 members organized through Facebook.
The debate, held Oct. 15 at Hofstra University on Long Island, was marked by frequent references to “Joe the Plumber,” an Ohio man who became a YouTube sensation when he confronted Obama and argued that his tax plan would hurt his attempt to buy his employer’s plumbing business.
Jessica Ramos, the head of the chapter and the daughter of Colombian immigrants, said she was backing Obama because of his campaign’s mantra.
“As clichÉ as it has become, it’s change. I supported Obama from the beginning because it’s the only way for us minorities to get ahead,” she said. “He’s inspired so much, he’s awakened a sleeping giant. It’s not so much what he can do, but all that hope that he’s inspired.”
Martha Ayon, a Rego Park resident and the daughter of Cuban and African immigrants, said foreign−born residents identify with Obama because their values coincide with his life’s path.
“He proved himself and he worked his way up,” she said. “America’s a lot of things, but America has been a dream for immigrants, especially Latinos.”
Stephanie Salazar, a 21−year−old Elmhurst resident who said she will vote for the first time in November, echoed concerns from others among the group that an important issue to foreign−born residents was not being heard during the campaign.
“Neither candidate has mentioned anything regarding Latinos,” said Salazar, a first−generation American with Colombian parents. “Nobody mentions immigration and I think that’s huge. I have a lot of friends who have illegal status or are going through the process of becoming legal.”
In a phone interview Tuesday, Ramos said McCain’s most memorable line – that he was not President George W. Bush – did not resonate with her.
“John McCain said George W. Bush wasn’t on the ballot, but he couldn’t name any ways his economic policies would be any different,” she said. “It’s one thing to say, ‘O.K., I’m not George Bush.’ It’s another thing to show there’s a difference. He didn’t create that line.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e−mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 173.
