Rallies target Hispanic vote

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COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson urged Hispanic supporters of Barack Obama in Colorado not to get overconfident in the campaign's last days and to cast their ballots early.

"You can't take this for granted," Richardson told a small crowd Saturday in Commerce City, mixing Spanish into his stump speech. He was referring to polls suggesting that Obama leads his GOP rival, John McCain.

"The key to this race is Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. If Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada switch to Obama, the race is over," Richardson insisted.

Both campaigns have been targeting the three states. Any of them could help shape who wins the presidency.

President Bush narrowly won Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada four years ago and Democrats see them and their 19 electoral votes as a real opportunity.

The governor's appearance was part of a "Viva el Voto!" early voting drive aimed at Colorado Hispanics. Other Democratic Party rallies were held in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Pueblo, Commerce City, Aurora, and Longmont.

California Democratic congressmen Xavier Becerra and Joe Baca participated in the rallies, all of which were staged near early voting centers.

"You are special," Richardson told a Denver crowd later Saturday. "I don't have to tell you why all these big shots are here."

U.S. Census figures show there were about 228,000 Hispanic registered voters in Colorado in 2006, with about 158,000 voting. In the 2004 presidential election, about 204,000 Colorado Hispanics were registered to vote, and 165,000 actually cast ballots, according to the Census.

Federico Pena, Obama's national campaign co-chairman and Denver's first Hispanic mayor, visited Greeley and Fort Collins Saturday. He estimated about 100 people attended each rally.

"Latinos now realize that we can make a difference in a close race," Pena said.

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