Hispanic advisors to Romney: It's time to tone down the immigration rhetoric

Several advisers said it is evident that Romney is getting the message, and there are plans underway to make a push among Hispanic voters, who currently support President Obama by more than a 2-to-1 margin. The Romney campaign recently hired a full-time Hispanic outreach coordinator and has held several strategy meetings in Boston with Hispanic leaders.

Spanish-speaking surrogates are being trained, and there are ongoing talks with a major Hispanic advertising firm to work on new television ads that are aimed at Spanish-speakers.

With a bit of irony, the campaign is also reaching out to a group that combines two constituencies that Romney has fared poorly with in the past: Hispanic evangelicals…

Romney is preparing a speech on June 21 before a group of Latino officials in Orlando, an address that some of his Hispanic advisers are pointing to as a potential major turning point. Romney will address that group, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, one day before President Obama does, so it will provide a stark contrast between the two candidates on dealing with the nation’s persistent immigration problems.