Candidates Failing to Reach Florida's Hispanic Voters

Hispanics could swing the presidential election in November, especially in crucial Florida, but the presumptive nominees aren’t reaching them, the St. Petersburg Times reports. Hispanics tend to vote on issues rather than along strictly party lines, but the media and candidates are pushing immigration reform though polls show the economy and education atop their list of concerns—with immigration reform 10th.

While a recent survey found Barack Obama leading John McCain 47%-22% among Hispanic voters, 26% remain undecided. “If they really want to do a good job, either McCain or Obama, they need to focus and get people in there who truly understand the Hispanic culture,” says the founder of nonpartisan group focused on getting Hispanics to vote. (More Election 2008 stories.)