This continues our series of HispanicBusiness.com exclusive reports from the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
DENVER--Despite Sen. Hillary Clinton's primetime speech and behind-the-scenes efforts at the Democratic Convention to bring her delegates to support Barack Obama, some resistance remained among Hispanic delegates here Wednesday.
Leaving a meeting at which Sen. Clinton officially released her delegates, 77-year-old Texas State Rep. Paul Moreno offered a glimpse at the challenge that lies ahead for the Obama campaign in reaching the holdout Hispanic voters.
"My heart is still with (her)," the El Paso lawmaker said, adding that he will reluctantly vote for Obama, although "with a certain conscientious objection."
"I don't feel Barack Obama knows the Mexican-American problems. He never brought them out in his campaign," he said, though Sen. Obama has pledged to spend $20 million dollars courting Hispanic voters in swing states.
If Moreno appeared angry leaving the Clinton rally, others appeared solemn, with tears streaming down more than a few faces.
"I'm a little sad," said Annelise Vogel of Houston. "But, I guess I'm ready to spend my time and money for Obama," she said, "Like Hillary said, it's about the cause."
Elderly Hispanics, like Ida Torres of New York City, said they know other voters who may be less likely to come out to vote for Sen. Obama after the bruising primary. The task now is to inform those voters about the contrast between Sen. John McCain and Sen. Obama, Torres said.
"I'm going to do what (Sen. Clinton) says. The Democratic Party has to win," she said. Barely an hour after the Sen. Clinton rally ended, influential Hispanics took to the convention floor trying to bring those Clinton-loyal Hispanics into the Sen. Obama fold. Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado gave the nominating speech for Sen. Obama. United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta also reluctantly shifted her support to Sen. Obama. "I stand with Hillary as she stands with Barack Obama to take our country back," Huerta said.
