By Chris Levister

There was never a question of Black-Latino unity between Linnie Frank Bailey and Jose Medina. The 44th District Congressional super delegates became fast friends long before the bruising Democratic contest between Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama.

Friends and fellow political activists Democratic Congressional District 44 superdelegates Linnie Frank Bailey (l) and Jose Media shake hands symbolizing Black-Latino unity at the party's new Riverside offices.

Bailey was so effective at organizing rallies and networking groups, that southern California Obama staffers asked her to be a regional field coordinator.

December to February was "a complete whirlwind," Bailey told the Washington Post recently. "It was just one thing after another, and everyone was so helpful." Suddenly Bailey's territory was not just Corona but all of Congressional District 44, which stretches from San Clemente to Riverside.

While Bailey set up Obama's flagship office in Riverside, Medina traveled with the Obama campaign to primaries in Iowa, Maryland and Washington D.C.

 "I saw Obama speak to 20,000 students at the University of Maryland, young and old, Latino, Black, White. I saw first hand - he's a unifier," said Medina.      

So by the time Mr. Obama made history in St. Paul, Minnesota in June as the first Black candidate to lead a mayor political party, Medina and Bailey were tried and trusted Obama warriors.

But days after Clinton conceded urging her supporters to rally behind Obama some Latino legislators skipped a meeting with the new presumptive nominee. Others in  Clinton's rock solid Latino base resisted the unifying call claiming they were slighted.

"No question there were hurt feelings," said Medina. "Some of Clinton's supporters have a very emotional attachment to her. Some have had long working relationships with the Clintons." But he predicts once Latino's learn more about Obama, they will jump on board.

"I think people across this country, Black, Brown and White, men and women alike, will ultimately understand the prize is this November," said Bailey

So it is only natural that Bailey and Medina have suited up and are now actively campaigning to deconstruct the Black-Brown myth.

"We all come from different backgrounds and different experiences," said Medina.

"For the good of the country, we're putting out a call for unity, tolerance and understanding."

But with the TV, radio, print and Internet media machine working 24-7 Medina and Bailey don't expect a cakewalk.

"The media love to portray a major ‘riff' between Latino voters and Black voters. They also go to great lengths to make the case that Latinos will not vote for a Black president.

"That's just plain not true," argues Medina. "What explains - Tom Bradley? Harold Washington? ...David Dinkins? ... The first Black governor of New York, David Paterson - all elected in major cities with significant Latino/Hispanic populations"

"I really do believe the media has missed the story about Black-Latino unity especially here in the Inland Empire," explains Bailey. "Most of the time when I'm interviewed it has to do more with me as an African-American supporting Barack."

"I don't support him because he is an African-American. I believe he is the best candidate for America. And I think that's the same reason that Latinos, Republicans and people from all races and backgrounds support him."

Obama has made some important inroads with Latinos in recent weeks. He and GOP nominee Sen. John McCain touted their respective tax plans to a key Hispanic group last week, arguing that their different approaches to the economy would benefit all Americans.

Their speeches before the League of United Latin American Citizens, the nation's oldest Hispanic advocacy organization, was one of many addresses planned to reach minority voters.

You could feel the unity and enthusiasm for Obama in San Diego this past weekend when he rallied 2,000 members of the National Council of La Raza added Medina. Monday night Obama received a prideful welcome from the annual NAACP convention. The organization is the nation's oldest and largest African-American civil rights group.

His speech to Unity: Journalists of Color, a coalition of Black, Asian, Latino and Native American journalists said Medina was not just a speech aimed at minority journalists. It was aimed at all working people.  

In 2004, minorities made up nearly a quarter of the electorate, according to surveys of voters as they left polling places. Hispanics are the most sought after group, with Democrat John Kerry taking 53 percent of the Latino vote four years ago to President Bush's 44 percent. Bush increased his Hispanic support by 9 percentage points over 2000.

"Hispanics have been projecting their demographics into political strength," said Janet Murguia, La Raza president and CEO, about the nation's fastest-growing group.  

Barack knows the importance of solidarity with his Spanish speaking neighbors, says Bailey.

"Latinos, Blacks, women, blue or white collar workers, whatever their race or stripe, have the most to gain by the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States and the most to lose by the election of John McCain."

"This is not about the Clinton's anymore, it's about stopping McCain. This election could well be decided by Latino voters," Medina said citing Florida, Colorado Nevada and New Mexico as key battleground states. President Bush narrowly won all four states in 2004.

McCain already has TV and radio ads in Spanish running in Nevada, New Mexico and Florida. The Obama campaign is set to launch its own outreach.

"Our emphasis right now is increasing voter registration," said Bailey. "There is no doubt in my mind that there is such a clear difference and so much at stake for our country that people are going to rally around Barack Obama."

Bailey and Medina stood in solidarity at the local Democratic Party's new headquarters in Riverside recently. For these tireless political warriors the hand shake symbolizes a message delivered by Obama following his historic nomination victory:

"This is our time America."