Last tango in Texas for Hispanic vote

By Lourdes Heredia - BBC News, Dallas

America Ferrara (L) is one of many high-profile Clinton fans Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have been serenading the vote of the US Hispanic community with Latino music.

"His fight is our fight," sings a pro-Obama band, dressed in traditional sombreros and black suits, in a tune posted on the internet.

"It doesn't matter if you're from Corpus Christi, from Dallas or from El Valle, from Houston or El Paso, the important thing is that we vote for Obama... Viva Obama!"

Meanwhile, the latest campaign anthem the former First Lady is using during rallies is a cumbia tune - very similar in style to salsa.

"We need a change, we have to improve and there is only one candidate that can do it," the lyrics urge. "Hillary Clinton, I will vote for her!"

Hispanics make up about 36% of Texas's population and about 21% of registered voters.

They could account for more than a third of the state's Democratic primary turnout, according to the Pew Hispanic Centre.

With such a tight race between the candidates, the Latino vote could make a big difference.

Let's see if a woman does a better job than men Juana Rosa Gutierrez, Texas voter

Lydia Camarillo, vice president of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, explains that for Mrs Clinton, who is now trailing in the national delegate count, it is crucial to get at least 40% of the Hispanic vote or she could lose Texas.

"The Obama campaign only needs to take a portion of that vote and that's the reason both are spending a fortune on Spanish ads," says Ms Camarillo.

The supporters of both candidates have spent the past couple of weeks criss-crossing the state.

Mrs Clinton has a lot of backing from big guns within the Latino community, including Ugly Betty actress America Ferrara, mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa and co-founder of the United Farm Workers Dolores Huerta.

Mr Obama, nevertheless, has on his side important figures like Sen Ted Kennedy, who is very well respected within the community.

Barack Obama's campaign has gained momentum in recent weeks

"Un voto para Obama es un voto para el pueblo (a vote for Obama is a vote for the people)," Mr Kennedy tells the rallies in Spanish with a horrible accent that is greeted by rapturous applause from the crowd.

Compared to the beginning of the campaign, Mr Obama has increased his effort to connect with the Hispanic community but it has not been easy.

"I like Hillary," says Juana Rosa Gutierrez in the farmers' market of Dallas. "Our lives during her husband's years were better than now."

The mother of seven says her priorities are education, health and jobs.

"I wouldn't vote for a Republican because of the way they speak about us, as if they didn't need us for the worst jobs, but if I have to choose between Hillary and Obama, I will go for Hillary," says Ms Gutierrez.

"Let's see if a woman does a better job than men."

Anti-Republicans

In the market, the discontent about George W Bush, who won huge support from the Latino community of Texas in 2000 and 2004, is evident.

"I am not going to vote," says Feliciano Flores, a grocer with two children.

"They come and they promise us stuff, but then when they get to the White House they forget all their promises. Look what happened in the last eight years!"

Pedro, who did not want to give his surname because his wife does not have proper documents, feels both Democratic candidates are running strong campaigns.

"I only want the Republicans to lose," he says.

"They want to kick us out of this country, we live in constant fear. I can stay, but they can deport my wife, and what would my children do without their mother?" While Mr Obama is regarded favourably, Mrs Clinton has cultivated her links with the community for a long time.

Both Democratic presidential hopefuls have promised to support immigration reform, but the polls indicate that the New York senator has stronger support in the Hispanic community.

According to the Latino Decisions Texas Poll, completed on 24 February, Mrs Clinton has 62% support while Mr Obama has 22%.

While Mr Obama is regarded favourably, Mrs Clinton has cultivated her links with the community for a long time.

"Her name recognition is much higher, but as soon as they start getting to know Obama, they change their mind," says Carlos Odio, part of the Latino outreach team for the Obama campaign.

Even if Mrs Clinton has more support, Ms Camarillo says that no candidate should take the Latino vote for granted.

"They can give us a serenade but we won't dance unless there is a commitment behind it," she says.

The Hispanic community identifies five priorities when choosing a candidate: education, health, the economy, immigration and the war in Iraq.