As a leading Latino evangelical, Sam Rodriguez occupies a fascinating spot on the political landscape. Latinos went decisively for Obama but also supported Proposition 8 in California banning gay marraige. Rodriquez is President of National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and as such understands the oft-misunderstood religious contours of the Latino vote better than anyone.
In an interview I conducted over Trinity Wall Street, Rodriguez said that John McCain could have won the Latino vote had he stuck with his original position on immigration.
And Rodriguez also had a stark warning for Obama: Latinos voted for Obama largely because of anger over Republican approach immigration and the economy but will quickly defect if he moves “hard left” on abortion and gay marraige. “I can guarantee that,” he said.