MichaelMoore.com

Obama, McCain Win Endorsement of Spanish-Language Newspaper

By Lorraine Woellert / Bloomberg

Feb. 2 -- The largest Spanish-language newspaper in the U.S. endorsed Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, who are seeking their parties' 2008 presidential nominations.

La Opinion, which is the second most-read newspaper in Los Angeles behind the Los Angeles Times, made the endorsement, posted on the newspaper's Web site today, as the candidates campaign toward Feb. 5, when more than 20 states will hold nominating contests.

``Obama's approach to immigration and his inspiring vision are what the country needs to break through the current feeling of political malaise,'' the newspaper wrote.

La Opinion also backed Republican candidate McCain, 71, as ``the voice of reason and common sense'' on immigration. The Arizona senator has drawn the wrath of many fellow Republicans for pushing a plan to give illegal immigrants a way to obtain citizenship after paying fines and other penalties.

McCain's leadership on immigration has made him ``the ideal candidate to change the bitter tone that prevails in Washington,'' La Opinion wrote.

While the newspaper complimented Obama's Democratic rival Senator Hillary Clinton, 60, the Obama endorsement said it was ``disappointed with her calculated opposition'' to allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. The New York senator rejected the idea in November after her state's governor said he wanted to issue licenses.

Obama in California

Obama strategists increasingly believe they can win a strong showing for California's 441 Democratic delegates on Tuesday. Television celebrity Oprah Winfrey and Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former Democratic President John F. Kennedy, will hold a get-out-the-vote rally for the Illinois senator in the Los Angeles Feb. 3.

Obama, 46, has won endorsements from 34 California newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times.

Latinos might help determine candidates' fortunes on Feb. 5 because of their large numbers in several Super Tuesday states. California's Latino population is the largest of any state, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, a Washington-based think tank. California's more than 5 million eligible Latino voters represent 28% of the group's total in the U.S.