Strong support from Hispanics, the fastest-growing demographic in
the United States, helped tip President Barack Obama's fortunes as
he secured a second term in the White House.
Obama's support among Hispanics was about 70 percent, according
to Reuters/Ipsos election day polling, roughly in line with the
percentage that voted for him four years ago.
It was critical for Obama to retain the coveted voting bloc,
especially because he lost support among white men, said Matt
Barreto, a political scientist at the University of Washington who
has tracked Hispanic sentiment for months.
Obama saw his support among white men decline to 36 percent in
this election from 41 percent in 2008.
Obama made a strong effort to court the estimated 24 million
eligible Hispanic voters, seeking to overcome some discontent over
his immigration policies.
In September, Obama said his "biggest failure" was the lack of
comprehensive immigration reform, although his administration
launched a program in June to allow young undocumented immigrants to
apply for temporary work permits.
"We saw Obama's standing among Hispanics and overall voter
enthusiasm increase after his announcement this summer," Barreto
said.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Obama's Republican
challenger, had taken a hard line, saying undocumented immigrants
should leave the country, or "self-deport," before making a bid for
citizenship.
