Free Republic

The heated debate over immigration has spurred Bernard Ortiz - and a handful of presidential candidates - to help mobilize Iowa's Latinos in an effort to shape the outcome of the state's upcoming caucuses and the 2008 presidential election. Ortiz, as a union worker, has helped hundreds of Latinos register to vote, while some presidential candidates have reached out beyond traditional mailings and phone calls to seek their support. For example, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, both Democrats, have introduced Latino outreach programs. Some Republicans have also made efforts to draw Latino voters, at least...