Campaign '08

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama pitched competing economic plans to Hispanics on Tuesday, the second time in as many weeks the presidential candidates directly appealed to this critical constituency.

The rivals, to be sure, were pressing anew their support for comprehensive immigration reform, a bedrock issue for Spanish-speaking Americans, in separate speeches to the League of United Latin American Citizens.

But each was primarily focused on making his case that he - and not his opponent - could best lead the country out of economic straits and help the middle class achieve prosperity.

It's a poignant message for the audience, an organization that advocates social and economic policies benefiting Hispanics. The economy, health care, education and providing opportunities to reach what politicians call the American dream are issues that resonate strongly with members of the fastest growing minority group, many of whom came to the United States in search of a better life.

So, both candidates sought to show they best relate to - and can help - voters struggling with gas prices, job layoffs and home foreclosures.

"At its core, the economy isn't the sum of an array of bewildering statistics," McCain said. "It's about the aspirations of the American people to build a better life for their families; dreams that begin with a job."

"I have a plan to grow the economy, create more and better jobs, and get America moving again," the Arizona senator added, promising to help small businesses prosper, make health care more affordable, improve education and free the country from its dependence on foreign oil.

"If you believe you should pay more taxes, I am the wrong candidate for you," McCain said. "Jobs are the most important thing our economy creates."

Later, Obama was to be introduced by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, one of the nation's most prominent Hispanic politicians. Villaraigosa supported Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primary season but has backed Obama since it ended.

Last month, McCain and Obama pledged to make overhauling the country's immigration a priority in separate appearances to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials conference. McCain assured that audience that he wouldn't pursue the enforcement-only approach sought by hard-line GOP conservatives, while Obama accused McCain of walking away from comprehensive immigration reform.

Obama was expected to make the same arguments again, though his remarks were to focus more broadly on the economy.

Both McCain and Obama support a temporary worker program and eventual path to citizenship for millions of immigrants in the country illegally. But after a comprehensive Senate bill failed last summer amid coast-to-coast public outcry that split the GOP, McCain has added that the borders must be secure first before people will accept other reforms.

McCain also lamented that nearly half of Hispanics who enter high school do not graduate with their class, reports CBS News' John Bentley.

"In many schools, particularly where people are struggling the hardest, the situation is dire," he said. "I believe sincerely it is the civil rights challenge of our time."

Both candidates also are scheduled to speak to the National Council of La Raza annual conference in San Diego later this month.

They are making aggressive plays for this fickle Democratic-leaning group that could tip the balance in battleground states of Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and others with large numbers of Spanish-speaking voters.

A recent AP-Yahoo News poll showed that Obama leads McCain among Hispanics, 47 percent to 22 percent with 26 percent undecided.

Still, Obama, who is trying to become the first black president, doesn't have a lock on Hispanics. During the primaries, Hispanics preferred Clinton to Obama by nearly 2-to-1.

McCain senses an opportunity based on his links to the West and Republican inroads four years ago.

President Bush captured about 40 percent of the Hispanic vote in 2004, to Democratic rival John Kerry's 58 percent, down from the 62 percent former Vice President Al Gore got in 2000. Still, in the 2006 congressional elections, Democrats scored their biggest win among Hispanics since 1996.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)