Hispanic Leaders Endorse Presidential Candidates

The 2008 presidential campaigns have spent the fall gathering hundreds of key Hispanic endorsements. From the halls of Congress to City Halls, conference tables and comedy clubs coast-to-coast, candidates have signed on Hispanic leaders to their cause. National candidates who fly around parachuting into local political landscapes, say these endorsers soften each landing and make each crowd feel like the candidate truly has a local connection.In the race for Hispanics endorsements, Democrats seem to have a significant edge. While many local leaders are still being sought for their seal of approval, most of the biggest national names in Hispanic politics are already committed. Among those big-name officials in California, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and California State Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez have both endorsed Sen. Clinton, while Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, California's first-ever Latina state legislator, is backing Governor Richardson.