John Kerry: the man who would be president: during a brief break in his busy campaign schedule, John Kerry made time to receive the publishers of Latino Leaders Magazine for an exclusive interview

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, August-Sept, 2004 by Jorge Ferraez, Jacobo Bautista, Charles Dews

The hostile 100-degree heat outside couldn't compete with the amicable warmth within the Phoenix Civic Plaza auditorium. The majority of the more than 3,000 participants at the convention of the National Council of La Raza, one of the oldest and most important Latino organizations, were filled with anticipation. There were also a number of Democratic Patty loyal supporters who had waited in line more than three hours just to see their presidential candidate. Finally, to the sound of applause and cheers, John Kerry appeared on the stage and greeted everyone. He looked tall and well appointed in a blue suit, white shirt, and orange Hermes tie. He took long strides, smiled, and shook hands with everyone. "Thank you, thank you, I am happy to be here" began his speech; then he greeted and complimented the work of Governor Janet Napolitano and Raul Yzaguirre, president of the NCLR.

We arrived earlier that morning having made arrangements with the Hispanic press team of the "John Kerry for President" campaign. They are a young and enthusiastic team, and in previous meetings in Washington, DC, they had seemed quite interested in having Kerry interviewed by our magazine. The previous Sunday I had received the call informing me that there would be an opportunity in Phoenix for the interview. My brother and I flew, one from Dallas, the other from Mexico City, to meet in Phoenix.

The NCLR event is very important. Raul Yzaguirre was there, so was his successor, Janet Murguia, and also Jose Villasenor, who was later appointed by Kerry to be one of the chairs of his campaign committee. Otherwise, the agenda was a typical NCLR affair. But in the afternoon, the imminent arrival of Kerry began to affect the mood of the crowd. The "Expo Latino" display was taken down, meeting rooms and offices were closed, and everyone went to see the senator. It was Ed Pastor, president of the Hispanic Caucus, who got the biggest round of applause of the afternoon when, in front of everyone, he said to George W. Bush, "Like father, like son; one term, and you're done."

After dodging all of the quasi-paranoid security the Secret Service had around the senator, we were invited to a special area, where journalists could sit, take photos, and do our work. From there we listened to the speech. It touched on many subjects, such as education, immigration, the minimum wage, patriotism, Latinos, Cesar Chavez, and so on. little by little his oratorical skills won the crowd over, and the 3,000 people in attendance gave him a standing ovation. John Kerry has clearly defined ideas: "In my first hundred days as president I am going to send to congress a bill to thoroughly reform the immigration laws. I am going to assure that good people who live and work here and pay their taxes have every opportunity to move toward American citizenship. I am going to offer English classes and civics, so they can easily assume the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. We are going to make it easier for families to reunite more quickly, more easily; we are going to arrange our visa programs so that they also protect salaries and working conditions."

Hispanics are important to John Kerry, and even though his Spanish is not yet too good, no politician today can afford to ignore or underestimate the importance of this group, which, in the elections of 2004, will represent nearly half of the independent vote that will most likely make the decision. And the Democrats know this. In a separate interview with Latino Leaders Magazine, Terry McAuliffe, president of the Democratic National Committee, said that it is precisely that amount of undecided voters they are working for. "A large number of them are Latinos," he told us.

After the speech, in a private room next to the auditorium, Kerry concluded his visit with Governor Napolitano, and then sat on the sofa to review documents and be interviewed on television. He was in a calm and pensive mood when we arrived for our interview. His voice was strong, but at the same time gentle. "We must improve our relationship with Mexico," said Kerry. "Today it is damaged, but my intention is to improve it, to make Mexico a true partner, so that our country will be protected from those who wish us harm. The relationship of the US with Mexico is crucial for our economy and our security, and those are the same things that are important to Mexico. I will work with President Vicente Fox, so that we can return to the talks about the possibility of temporary worker programs that were cut short."

Kerry, in a politically correct and Party-approved gesture, had cancelled a rally in Boston that same morning because he would have had to cross a picket line of Boston police officers. Democrats often support strikes in order to give moral support to workers and their rights.

Many of Kerry's pro-Democratic critics remain unconvinced by his promises, feeling that the true leader who could rally the US electorate has yet to emerge, but others say his best strategy is to let George W. Bush lose. Whichever the case, all the opinion polls place the two very close to each other. Right now, there really is no advantage for either of the two, which makes many think that the real fight is going to be in certain districts of certain states, and that whining will take much determination. Whatever it does for Kerry, he is already acting like a President. His extensive experience as senator has polished him. He is a player quite accustomed to high-level politics, has been close to several presidents, and has doubtlessly learned a great deal. "To be president one has to have a strong sense of leadership," he told us, "Also, strong convictions and a well-founded value system that is linked to our history. One has to be able to respond to the hopes of the people, respect the Constitution, and above all have the will to lead, to serve the people, and to do what one can on their behalf. One most take care not to favor special interests, but the interests of all Americans; that is very important." "But what makes me convinced that I can be a good president?" he asks, then answers: "My 35-year career, and the fact that I fought for my country. I have stood and fought for those principles I have always believed in, and I think that defines me as someone who wants to lead my country with strength and conviction, and that is just what I will do."