Latino Vote Boosts Obama

By Gilberte Saint-Prieux

Latinos were expected Tuesday to play a big role in the 2012 presidential election as over 23.7 million in this voting bloc decided to let their voices be heard, exit polls showed.

Compared to 2008, the number of Hispanic voters increased 22 percent and the Hispanic community has made it clear that they desired change. Other reports indicated that 53 percent of Latino voters considered the economy and jobs as their primary concern while 35 percent had immigration on their minds.

Many Latino voters said that the problem of immigration would never be resolved if Mitt Romney won the presidency.

“I definitely think that more Hispanic will vote now then four years ago because of Obama’s efforts to give them equal rights, more of a voice” said Samantha Urichima,  a 21-year-old John Jay College student.

In 2008, 67 percent of the Hispanic community supported President Obama. However, when Obama failed to deliver on his promise of immigration reform many Latinos toyed with looking elsewhere for their champion.

But Mitt Romney, who said during the Republican primary campaign that he would veto the Dream Act and opposed other immigration reforms, was not a viable alternative.

“ We love Obama because not only he cares about us but it is more likely he support the Dream Act. Romney will definitely let us down.” Said Samara Guerrero, a 22 –year-old Brooklyn College student.S

Fox News Latino predicted that President Obama would win the largest number of Latino votes in history.