In the days leading up to Super Tuesday, Bronx Democrats took to the streets, the parks, and the banquet halls to show their support for their candidate of choice. Before the votes were counted, support for Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton seemed divided. Obama got some vocal grassroots support, while Clinton had the endorsement of most of the borough’s Democratic politicians.  

(The polls had not yet closed when the Norwood News went to press Tuesday.)

University Heights resident Haile Rivera spent the morning of Saturday, Jan. 26, in front of the Target on West 225th Street with a dozen other Obama supporters and members of Latinos Con Obama, a group Rivera started last summer.

“This is Hillary country,” admitted Rivera, “but Obama is being underestimated.”

The reggaeton music of D.R. Flow blared from a minivan as volunteers passed out bilingual literature and spoke to potential voters before heading down to an Obama rally in Columbus Circle

A candidate for City Council in 2009, Rivera volunteered for Clinton’s senate campaign eight years ago. But he now feels Obama can provide the leadership the nation needs.

But, as much of his work targets Latino voters, national polls show that Rivera had a lot of work to do: The most recent Gallup poll had Clinton with a commanding lead over Obama among Hispanic Democrats, 57 percent to 29 percent.

But that did not deter the campaigners at Target. D.R. Flow member Manuel Vasquez, stage name “M. Sosa,” stood by as his group’s song “Obama Presidente” –  which has become a popular ring tone – played. Vasquez said they wrote the song to convey a message and a rhythm that Latinos are in love with.

Meanwhile, Clinton received powerful support from local Bronx politicians. Last Saturday, Feb. 2, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion headlined a Latinos for Hillary gathering in Manhattan with Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez at the upscale Ambar Room.

Clinton also has the support of City Council Member Joel Rivera and Representative Jose Serrano, who, earlier that day, joined other volunteers at the corner of Fordham Road and the Grand Concourse to campaign for their candidate. Why Clinton? Said Rivera, “One, she’s native. Two, she’s fighting for something I’ve been passionate about for a long time – good, quality healthcare.”

Some saw Super Tuesday as a test of the sway and clout local politicians have in their communities. Turnout would be an indication of this, said Angelo Falcon, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy.   

Not all of the borough’s politicians supported Clinton, though. Assemblyman Michael Benjamin chose Obama because he is the candidate most closely aligned with his beliefs. Benjamin said Obama shares his ability and willingness to work across party lines and considers him to be more electable in the general election.

For some, the election is about pride and leadership. Noreen Brooks, a retired accountant, hasn’t been active in a presidential campaign since John F. Kennedy ran in 1960. While leafleting for Obama in front of Target, she said voters would have to look deep into their conscience when choosing a candidate. “It doesn’t matter whether you are black, green or white,” she said. “The country is collapsing and we really need someone to bring it together. We voted for many white presidents. Now we can vote for a black one.”

Whichever of the two Democrats advances to the general election, Vasquez noted, “we will be making history.”

Update: As expected, Hillary Clinton ended up winning the state primary, taking about 60 percent of the vote. Hispanic political leaders said they had a lot to do with her impressive win.

*Additional reporting by Laura Sayer.