Latino voters key in battleground states

>>> the democrats are counting on a big hispanic turnout but republicans say the latinos and other minorities have higher unemployment rates than the rest of the population and are less enthusiastic about voting this year than they were four years ago. joining me now is co-chairman of the democratic caucus , california congressman, xavier becerra . welcome to my concert. this is really something else.

>> we're here to enjoy ourselves.

>> and to find out what you think about the hispanic vote and other minorities who are really impacted by this lousy economy, and whether or not you can turn out the margins the president needs to overcome mitt romney 's advantage with white men.

>> first, remember that for a long time, minorities have been suffering. they're always earning less, having a harder time getting their kids to college, but they always overcome. that's the thing about america . the american dream , we'll overcome. so the reality is a lot of folks, so long as you can tell them they will be able to go to work, they will get there.

>> will they get to the polls? will they be inspired to vote or will they feel less enthusiastic this time about barack obama ?

>> i believe they will get out because i believe they will understand how important this election is. last election was phenomenal. history. this election, move forward. they'll come out and vote.

>> what about the president's polls, you know, what he said today, which was that he has an incomplete on the economy. is that the right message going forward?

>> i actually believe the president has done phenomenal work for what he inherited. when you think about it this way, four years ago today, how many jobs did we gain or lose? 425,000 jobs were lost. last report, last month, 170,000 jobs gained. that's a 600,000 job difference. we're making progress. got to make more, but americans are going back to work.

>> you're going to be speaking tonight. hopefully without an accompaniment. just hours before the first lady. tell me what your message is going to be.

>> it's all about that hope, about the american dream , about investing in america . if you believe in america , you will invest in america . that's what we have to do from the president on down. we have to invest in those people who somehow managed to hold on to their home, who survived the crash of '08. invest in america .

>> tell me about the san antonio mayor who is going to be the keynoter.

>> i think he will knock it out of the park. he's a star, he's got a brother, twin brother , who will be in congress with us. they are both going to be stars. it's america 's face of the future.

>> he's the first latino to deliver the keynote address.

>> as i said, i think he will hit a home run and prove to people throughout the country why san antonio elected a mayor at such a young age.

>> do you have a problem going forward with the democratic caucus in that we're at historic levels of disapproval of congress. as a house member, what are your chances of regaining the house? you need 25 seats to regain control.

>> i think we can get there and i believe if we launch from this convention with energy and enthusiasm and the truth, we didn't steeee a lot of the truth last week, we will do well. but remember this, we just have to move forward. we just have to work hard and we will get there. the people want to believe that we are going to move this country forward and that's what president obama and the democrats will talk about. you need a partner in the white house working with you in congress. hopefully the president will have a partner next year to work with him, not obstruct.

>> isn't there some disappointment in the latino community that president obama did not do more on immigration? there has been no initiative other than his executive action to try to accomplish some of the goals of the dream act .

>> you know, it's really interesting. in the house of representatives , the president pushed to get the dream act passed. guess what? two years ago, we did so with democrats in the majority. in the senate, the senate actually got a majority to vote for the dream act . usually that means you go to the president, it becomes law. guess what, the republicans filibustered. 55 votes out of 100 in the senate did not give us a new law, why, because the republicans demanded that it be a 60 vote margin. so that's what the president has faced on the economy, on health care , and on immigration. he'll get it done. we believe he will. this is one of those things where the people have to recognize what's going on in washington, d.c., the dysfunction. by the way, the people are way ahead of the politicians. they understand what's going on.

>> thank you very much. good luck tonight. see you up