McCain's national Hispanic outreach coordinator, Juan Hernandez, spent time in Las Cruces last week meeting with community leaders, including pastors and business people.


"We have to win New Mexico for Sen. McCain, and to win New Mexico, we have to win Hispanics," Hernandez said. "Thirty percent of Hispanics are going to vote for the person, not the party, and a huge percentage of Hispanics are still willing to be persuaded, either left or right."



Hernandez said McCain's platform resonates with Hispanics, who tend to be conservative on social issues.



That's the case with Las Crucen Hector Reyes, 62, who said he's backing the Republican ticket because of its pro-life stance. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Reyes said he believes McCain better understands issues involving veterans.



Al Perez of Las Cruces, a volunteer who's helping coordinate the McCain campaign locally, said McCain's "traditional values" are a reason behind his support.



"Family values, ties, unity," he said. "For the most part, it's going to be those values that Sen. McCain and (Sarah) Palin also agree with."



Though immigration matters are important to Hispanics, Hernandez said, their overriding concern now is the economy. He said he believes McCain's ideas for the economy, such as lowering mortgage values to help homeowners, appeals to voters, including Hispanics.


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