Rudy plays to Cuban-Americans
Posted: Friday, January 25, 2008 3:18 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC/NJ's Matthew Berger
MIAMI, Fla. -- Giuliani played maracas to the chants of “U.S.A.” as he told Cuban Americans that the country was better off with their presence.
“I know it’s two words -- Cuban American, but you know something, it’s not two words,” Giuliani said, as his words were loosely interpreted into Spanish at the Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Center. “But what’s the last name of all of us? Americans. That’s what we are. We bring with us our different religions, we bring with us our different traditions, we bring with us our different foods. And that’s why it’s the best country in the world, because you make it that way.”
Giuliani reiterated that he would like as president to travel to a democratic Cuba.
“There is no change in a Castro regime that changes from Fidel Castro to Raul Castro,” he said. “I understand that and will not be fooled by that."
He made a veiled reference to what he calls his opponents newfound support for Cuban Americans.
“My views about this do not come about because I am running for president of the United States,” he said. “My views on this go back to the earliest days that I began focusing on this issue and finding out about it.”
Giuliani was joined onstage by a group of dancers clad in white jumpsuits with red scarves. Before he arrived, the group danced passionately on stage to Spanish music behind a sign reading “Florida is Rudy Country.”
Giuliani was at times interrupted by audience members singing his praises, and reminding voters to select No. 11, where Giuliani’s name rests on the local ballot.
A new palmcard was also distributed, with an image of an airplane bearing Giuliani’s name. In Spanish, the writing says: “On Jan. 29, we’re launching in Florida the road to the White House. No one will stop Rudy Giuliani until victory in Nov. 2008.”
