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Miami Cubans Toe Softer Line on Embargo

'Waving the bloody shirt of anti-Castro politics' may be out of date

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted May 23, 2008 9:43 AM CDT

(Newser) – In his speech in Miami this week, John McCain talked the familiar macho talk on Cuba, taking a hard line on the embargo and ridiculing Barack Obama for suggesting that he might open a dialogue with Raul Castro. That may still play with older exiles, Time notes, but a growing number of younger Cuban-Americans don't believe the embargo has any hope of toppling the regime and would like to see more openness in both diplomacy and borders.

"Waving the bloody shirt of anti-Castro politics is going to be less effective" this time around, says a Florida political analyst. A majority of Miami Cubans now supports unrestricted travel between the countries, and three Miami congressional districts that have been Republican bulwarks are now looking iffy, as Dems outpace the GOP in voter registration.

John McCain holds a press availability with Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Thursday, March 6, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Following former presidents' strategies on Cuba may not win him votes.
John McCain holds a press availability with Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Thursday, March 6, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Following former presidents' strategies on Cuba may not win him votes.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
John McCain addresses staff and guests of the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla.
John McCain addresses staff and guests of the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
John McCain slammed Barack Obama's openness to talking with Cuban President Juan Castro, but Miami Cubans' turn towards more contact with the island may make the Democrat's plan more appealing.
John McCain slammed Barack Obama's openness to talking with Cuban President Juan Castro, but Miami Cubans' turn towards more contact with the island may make the Democrat's plan more appealing.   (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)
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