US Presidential elections: ‘Latino Barack Obama’ enters national spotlight

Julian Castro

A telegenic young Texas mayor billed as a Latino Barack Obama in the making, Julian Castro, bounded on to the world’s brightest political stage Tuesday, the first Hispanic to give a keynote speech at the Democratic convention.

The 37-year-old mayor of San Antonio, the second-largest city in the Lone Star State, told his family’s personal rags-to-rich story, the embodiment of the American dream.

Ahead of the speech — the most important of his political life — he told AFP there were a few butterflies.
“Of course, I’m a bit nervous but I know that when I walk up there I’ll be ready for it,” Castro said.

In the end, his performance brought adulation from the party faithful and complimentary comparisons to President Barack Obama, whose speech at the 2004 convention catapulted him toward the White House.

Read more: ‘Latino Barack Obama’ enters national spotlight - Khaleej Times