US election 2012: Julián Castro, the Mexican-American thrust into Democrat limelight

Mr Obama will hope Mr Castro’s speech can extend his lead among Hispanic
voters. An NBC poll last week put the president ahead of Mitt Romney by 44
points among the demographic.

Turnout among the large Latino populations in the swing states of Colorado,
Nevada, Virginia and Florida could potentially be crucial in November’s
election, with the candidates virtually tied in most polls.

Mr Romney, the Republican challenger, has struggled to improve his standing
among Hispanics since taking tough positions on immigration during his party
primary contest.

Democratic
strategists suggest Mr Castro may become the first Hispanic US president – a
title to which Republicans claim he will be beaten by Marco Rubio, the
Cuban-American senator for Florida.

Like both Mr Obama and Mr Rubio, he is a charismatic speaker who appears
comfortable meeting voters on the campaign trail and holding television
interviews.

However, his youthful appearance could become a hindrance: at a conference on “green
jobs” in 2009, Mr Obama joked that Mr Castro was a White House intern
because he looked so young.

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