U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has proposed a taxcredit for small business owners who offer health insurance to theiremployees.
The Senator from Illinois unveiled the proposalSunday in San Diego, California, in a speech to the National Council ofLa Raza, a leading Hispanic civil rights group.
Documentsdetailing the tax credit note that while small businesses create mostof the new jobs in the U.S. each year, they have been hard hit by therecent economic downturn, particularly in Latino communities.
Obama'spresumed Republican opponent, Senator John McCain, is to address thesame Hispanic group Monday, at 1945 UTC. A top McCain advisordescribed Obama's healthcare tax-credit proposal as short on details.
Thisis the third time in three weeks both men addressed major Hispanicorganizations. Hispanic voters are expected to play a pivotal role inthis year's presidential election.
Several battleground states have significant Latino populations, including Florida, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.
In his speech, Obama said the Latino community "holds this election in your hands."
Bothcandidates also spoke out Sunday about the federal government's supportfor mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Obama said thegovernment should give top priority to the interests of homeowners andtaxpayers not just shareholders or investors. McCain said he believesthat problems at the government-sponsored housing lenders cannot bepermitted to spill over into the financial markets.