Diaz: Latinos Need Not Run To Hillary

Bronx State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz, who also serves as the president of the New York Hispanic Clergy Coalition, is demanding that Latino elected officials across the state not attend Hillary Clinton's presidential endorsement bonanza on Monday, where she will pick up the backing of Governor Eliot Spitzer, until Clinton and every other presidential candidate pays more attention to the Latino community.

“So  far,  none  of  the presidential  candidates  from  either  party have paid attention to the Hispanic  community.  We  need to insist that all candidates – from both parties  –  demonstrate  their  concern  and  respect  for  the Hispanic community   and   Hispanic   leaders  and  clarify  their  positions  on immigration  reform,  and  to tell us where they stand on issues such as the status of Puerto Rico,”

said Rev. Diaz.

Diaz is asking Bronx Democratic Party Chairman Assemblyman Jose Rivera to organize a debate for the Democratic candidates, an idea that Rivera had [mentioned to me in the past].

“The Hispanic vote was clearly the swing vote  not  only  in  the  last  presidential  primary, but also when our country voted in a new Congress last year.  We can no longer be expected to energize our base if our leaders and issues are being ignored," said Rev. Diaz.

During the 2004 presidential primaries, Rev. Diaz endorsed Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman.