Fresh from a powerful endorsement from prominent Hispanic media figure Cristina Saralegui, President Obama's re-election team is launching new TV ads aimed at Latino voters in key battleground states.
Obama for America is running Spanish language television ads in Nevada, Colorado and Florida - swing states with significant Hispanic populations -- featuring Saralegui promoting Obama's policies on health care and other Latino priorities.
"Saralegui has dedicated her professional career to stressing the importance of Hispanic women and families living healthy and self-empowered lifestyles," the campaign said in a press release. "Her endorsement this week marked the first time that she has endorsed a presidential candidate or actively participated in a presidential campaign."
The 64-year-old, Miami-based Saralegui has won an Emmy for her 21-year-old talk show, "The Cristina Show." She is considered not only one of Florida's most powerful media figures, but also somewhat a community leader among Hispanics.
A statement from the campaign says Obama's controversial health care reform law will expand coverage to nine million previously uninsured Hispanic citizens by 2014 and enable more than 700,000 Hispanic children to stay on their parents' plans. The statement also says Medicare will be strengthened and prescription drugs made less expensive under the law.
Saralegui's endorsement could be critical to determining whether Obama wins Florida against GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney this year. A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found 61 of Hispanic voters favor Obama, compared to just 27 percent for Romney.
Obama already boosted his standing among Hispanic voters last week, when he announced that his administration will no longer deport some young illegal immigrants.
The Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of Obama's health care law, with a decision expected any day.
by RTT Staff Writer
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