The Long Race Between Barack and Mitt Has Started

There are only two key words: economy and immigration. Everything revolves around these important issues, more particularly the economic recovery, the Latin American vote and the expensive electoral campaign. Obama is concerned with the figures of an unhappy economy and with the Fed, which projects the unemployment rate upwards for 2013. Although a unique and mysterious poll shows that he is leading by 13 points, he keeps his feet on the ground and realistically insists on new economic stimuli to create employment and production. Romney, on the other hand, pressures him by listing his “broken promises” and by offering to regulate the country less and give more power to businesses since he is convinced that with the help of deregulation and low taxes, the market will fix everything on its own. The great conservative sponsors met in San Diego behind closed doors to collect at least $500 million to inject in a colossal television advertising campaign in favor of Romney. This could largely exceed the already significant Democrats’ funds which come mostly from individual contributions and Hollywood celebrities.

It is still too early for the final sprint but the language has already changed. Barack Obama and Mitt Romney went back on the bus in order to have the feeling of being on the road and being in the midst of the people. The Hispanic vote will once again hold the balance. Obama’s executive order to heal the wound of illegal immigration, starting with skilled young people, has been well-received. The opinion on Romney’s minimum “openings” was more mitigated, however. Everyone wants to win the hearts of the voters. Obama wants to sell his Dream Act to a country that is changing too slowly while Romney appears only to erase all that the President does as soon as possible, starting with the new health care reform. The Supreme Court's decision on compulsory medical care for all, which was postponed until next week, is bound to have an enormous impact.*

The Latin vote in 2008 went to Obama, but the fact that Senator Rubio of Florida is seen by many as Romney's vice president could come heavily into play in other key states such as Nevada and New Mexico. The uncertainty is such that there are constant adjustments, and for the first time this year, Barack closed a speech to Hispanics by saying: "Yes we can... Sì se puede."


*Editor’s Note: The U.S. Supreme Court has since ruled to uphold all parts of the Affirmative Care Act.