By JANINE COOPER
Observer Staff
OCT. 4, 2007

Frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., stopped at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 2007 Public Policy Conference on Wednesday. The CHCI held a forum that featured presidential candidates from the Democratic Party. In addition to Sen. Clinton, Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., former Sen. Mike Gravel, D-Alaska, and Ohio representative Dennis Kucinich also participated in the forum. Candidates answered questions from members of Congress about issues that affect the Hispanic community. They discussed immigration, education, health care, the war in Iraq, and employment.

Clinton said that the issues should be important to everyone, not only the Hispanic population, and that through hard work and education, the country can work together towards a common goal.

“We will not let the American dream die in the 21st century,” said Clinton.

Candidates also stressed how important the Hispanic vote is in the 2008 presidential election. Republican presidential candidates were invited to attend, but none were present at the forum.