Latino Democrats praise $20M effort

WASHINGTON, July 29 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's campaign's decision to use $20 million to reach out to Latino voters has drawn praise from members of Congress.

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus said the campaign's effort to target Latino voters in Colorado, Florida, Nevada and New Mexico is unprecedented, The Hill reported Tuesday.

The money will go to bankroll, among other things, voter programs and paid advertising in Spanish-language media, Democratic National Committee and Obama campaign spokesmen said.

Although money will be spent in all 50 states, the four target states will receive the bulk of the funds, the newspaper reported.

Many members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus supported Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York in the primary race for the Democratic nomination.

Reps. Hilda Solis, D-Calif., and Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y., supporters of Clinton, said Obama's overall message of change and outreach efforts will have the desired effect.

"That love that the Latino community had for Hillary and has for Hillary is also a love for true change in America," Serrano said. "On Nov. 4, New York will become Obama country."