Continuing his efforts to woo Hispanic voters away from President Barack Obama, former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, unveiled his Hispanic Steering Committee on Wednesday which includes a number of prominent Florida Republicans -- including U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and former Gov. Jeb Bush.
Romney announced the formation of Juntos Con Romney on Wednesday which will be chaired by former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, former Puerto Rico Attorney General Jose Fuentes, and Hector Barreto who had been in charge of the federal Small-Business Administration.
The inclusion of Gutierrez and Barreto -- both of whom have experience with directing the governments role in the marketplace -- was clearly an effort from the Romney team to press their points that Hispanics have been hit hard in the Obama economy.
The Hispanic community has been especially hard-hit by President Obamas policies, said Gutierrez on Wednesday. Instead of spurring economic growth and creating jobs, President Obama has only expanded government and hurt job-creation. We need a leader who will bring back jobs, help small businesses, and ensure that the American Dream remains for future generations. Mitt Romney has a proven record of creating jobs both in the private sector and as governor. Together with Mitt Romney, we will be able to do what President Obama has failed to do: fix the economy, create jobs, and get our country on the right track again.
Romney tapped Rubio and three governors -- Luis Fortu of Puerto Rico, Susana Martinez of New Mexico and Brian Sandoval of Nevada -- to serve as co-chairmen of the new organization. Both Rubio and Martinez have garnered some buzz as possible running mates for Romney.
President Obama inspired many Americans in 2008, but since then he has deliberately pitted Americans against each other, failing to live up to the promises of his 2008 campaign, Rubio said on Wednesday. He has failed to fix our economy, bring back jobs, lower gas prices, and stop runaway government spending. We are not better off than we were three and a half years ago when he took office. We need to take a new course. Mitt Romney will bring his economic experience from the private sector, and record of creating jobs and lowering spending as governor, to Washington and will be able to restore Americas promise.
Romney also named a host of prominent Florida Republicans to the national advisory board for his Hispanic outreach, including Bush whose name is also in the mix to end up as the vice presidential candidate. Romney named two current Republican members of the Florida delegation -- U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart -- to the advisory board. Former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez and former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart were also added to the advisory board.
Two rising stars were also named to the group. Romney named Florida state Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, who represents parts of Miami-Dade,to the advisory board as well as George P. Bush, Jeb Bushs son, who has been active in trying to woo Hispanic voters for Republicans.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
