Shoring up key support

Barack Obama's supporters are launching renewed efforts to shore up support among two key constituencies -- Hispanics and union members.

The AFL-CIO announced that starting today it is sending mailers to more than 600,000 union households in the key battleground states of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. "Union voters, like many voters across the country, are still learning about Sen. Obama and have heard many things -- some true, some false," the AFL-CIO said.

So one mailer tries to dispel the false rumors that Obama is Muslim, that he used a Koran for his Senate swearing-in, that he won't wear a flag lapel pin, that he won't put his hand over his heart while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and that he wasn't born in the United States. (To see the mailer, click here.)

The other mailer features testimonials about his record on jobs, healthcare, and workers' rights. (To see this mailer, click here.)

Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee and Obama's campaign this afternoon plan to announce a $20 million effort to mobilize Hispanic voters.

While Obama did not do as well among Latino voters as rival Hillary Clinton during the Democratic primaries, a Pew Hispanic Center survey released last week gave Obama a 66 percent to 23 percent lead among Hispanic voters over Republican John McCain.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus members joined representatives of the Obama campaign and the DNC after a briefing for 150 Latino community leaders on the effort, which includes voter registration, online organizing, community outreach, paid advertising, and "Camp Obama" training sessions.

"Senator Obama is honored to have earned a strong lead among Hispanic voters, but neither he nor the Democratic Party is taking a single vote for granted," Frank Sanchez, Obama's National Hispanic Leadership Council Chairman, said in a statement. "We know we have a lot of work to do, and this bold and unprecedented commitment to engaging and empowering Hispanic voters in our political process is an important step toward the November elections."

UPDATE: The McCain campaign issued this statement from Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida on Obama's Hispanic outreach efforts:

"Unlike Barack Obama, John McCain doesn't need an introduction to the Hispanic community. John McCain has been working for more than two decades for the values, principles, and issues Latinos care about. Hispanics will elect the next president of the United States based on who has the best record, experience and is better prepared to move this country forward. John McCain wants to keep taxes low for hardworking families, and small business owners, Barack Obama has stated he will raise taxes. John McCain has an energy plan, and wants to lower gas prices, Barack Obama has no plan. John McCain always put this country first, Barack Obama changes his mind depending on the political calendar."