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McCain, Obama court Latino group - Los Angeles Times

Each will speak today at a convention of the nation's oldest Latino advocacy organization. Changes to immigration policy will be a topic for both candidates.

POWDER SPRINGS, GA. -- Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama will speak today at a convention of the nation's oldest Latino advocacy organization as each eyes a key voting group in the November general election.

The pair will speak at different times before the League of United Latino American Citizens in Washington. Both will speak about the need for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants and the need for secure borders.

McCain angered many fellow Republicans by helping lead efforts to pass a bill that opponents derided as amnesty for as many as 12 million illegal immigrants. In recent weeks, McCain has stressed the need for secure borders, a nod to his hard-line critics on immigration issues.

According to an advance copy of his speech provided by the campaign, McCain plans to tell the Latino advocacy group that the nation must secure its borders "while respecting the dignity and rights of citizens and legal residents of the United States."

The Obama campaign is hoping that the Latino vote will help him, especially in the Southwest, which backed President Bush in 2004.

Obama began his day in Georgia, whose 15 electoral also votes went to Bush in 2004. With a boost from a large turnout of African American voters in the state, the Obama campaign is hoping to switch that outcome. Click here to read more.

Labels: General Election 2008, Latino community, McCain, Obama