Obama continues Hispanics push

(EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

ESPANOLA, N.M. -- Barack Obama intensified his push for Latino voters today with an outdoor rally in Espanola, a city in northern New Mexico that's 84 percent Hispanic.

He brought with him one of the country's chief Hispanic validators: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who greeted the crowd warmly in a mix of Spanish and English. In Spanish, he assured the crowd -- 9,500 people, says Obama's campaign -- that Obama believed in family and in religion.

Obama, delivering the latest in a series of speeches on the economy, sprinkled in references to specific concerns of Hispanic families, noting that they've been the target of predatory lenders and often don't have health insurance. And then he made a blunt pitch for their support.

"To The Hispanic community, I want you to start actually voting your numbers," he said. "Right here in New Mexico, you'll be the difference-maker. Don't stay home. Just remind yourself: Si se puede! Si se puede!"

Had he stuck to his prepared text, Obama would have said that in 2004, 40,000 registered Hispanic voters didn't vote, while John Kerry lost the state by less than 6,000 votes.

Obama also said today that he would meet tomorrow with his economic team to devise a plan, which he called a "Homeowner and Financial Support Act," to provide capital and liquidity to the financial system, and to help struggling families restructure their mortgages. It's unclear yet what exact form the plan will take. And he continued to mock John McCain for embracing economic populism and regulation after a career spent advocating a hands-off approach to corporate America.

"John McCain can't decide whether he's Barry Goldwater or Dennis Kucinich," Obama said. "You cannot just run away from your long-held views or your life-long record."

Obama hosts two fund-raisers in Albuquerque tonight before heading to Florida for events tomorrow and Saturday.