Obama Appeal To Blacks, Latinos – President Obama did not include white, middle-age male voters in launching his first midterm election pitch Monday, calling on “young people, African Americans, Latinos and women” to deliver for Democrats in November.
In a video to supporters, Obama urged those who helped get him elected in 2008 not to abandon Democrats in an election year that is shaping up to take a chunk out of the Democratic majority in Congress.
In the appeal, Obama says new voters who “powered our victory in 2008” need to “stay involved” in 2010.
“It will be up to each of you to make sure that the young people, African Americans, Latinos and women, who powered our victory in 2008 stand together once again,” he said.
“If you help us do that – if you help us make sure that first-time voters in 2008 make their voices heard again in November – then together we will deliver on the promise of change and hope and prosperity for generations to come,” he continued.
The promotion, which reaches out to constituencies that voted in large measure for Obama but typically vote in lower percentages than older and white voters, is being sponsored by the Democratic National Committee and Organizing for America, the group formed from Obama’s massive e-mail support during the 2008 campaign.
The statement also echoes Obama’s warning during the health care debate – that voters will decide in November whether they like what the administration and Democratic Congress is doing. His remarks repeat the positioning from congressional Democrats who allege Republicans are in the pocket of “big business” to the detriment of the American people.
“Despite everything we’ve done, our work isn’t finished. Today, the health insurance companies, the Wall Street banks, and the special interests who have ruled Washington for too long are already focused on November’s congressional elections. They see these elections as a chance to put their allies back in power, and undo all that we have accomplished. So this year, I need your help once more,” he said.
A Fox News poll from last week shows that Obama has a 39 percent approval rating from independent voters with 47 percent disapproval.
