Why Do Gays and Latinos Support Hillary Clinton?Paul Hogarthbyline‚ Jan. 23‚ 2008As the Democratic Presidential race moves to California on February 5th, Senator Hillary Clinton holds the advantage in part because she leads Barack Obama among two crucial demographics: gays and Latinos. But if these groups were more “results-oriented” about which candidate would bring about substantive change for their community, Obama could have an edge. Clinton’s husband signed the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act when he was President, and she has only promised to scrap part 3 of DOMA – whereas Obama would repeal it entirely. While both have waffled on giving drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants, when pressed to take a position Clinton said “no” and Obama said “yes.” Gays and Latinos either don’t know such policy differences -– or else have put them aside in favor of symbolic gestures, high name recognition or top-down endorsements. Before it’s too late, LGBT and Latino voters must look at the issues, and decide which candidate would better pursue their interests. |