A generational rift defines the Democratic race among Latinos in the Rio Grande Valley, where Clinton once enjoyed almost complete support. Obama introduced himself here two weeks ago, and he has since generated enough momentum with young voters to threaten Clinton's Latino support base. Polls indicate that Clinton's lead has evaporated in Texas, a state that her husband has said she must win Tuesday.
An argument that began two months ago in the Lucio household now echoes along the Texas border. Whose voice is louder: that of loyal Latinos who credit Clinton for her history of paying attention to an impoverished region that so many other politicians forget? Or that of younger, better-educated Latinos who identify with Obama as a minority who emerged from nothing?
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill and Texas State Rep. Eddie Lucio III. and , looks in the direction of Mexico during a tour of the border Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in Brownsville, Texas.(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
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