ON THE TRAIL

July 2, 2008

Sen. Barack Obama and retired Gen. Colin Powell met privately two weeks ago in Powell's personal office in Alexandria, Va., the National Journal reports. Peggy Cifrino, Powell's spokeswoman, confirmed that the presumptive Democratic nominee and the retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff chatted for about an hour at the Armed Forces Benefit Association, where Powell rents space."Just an informal conversation," Cifrino said. "There's no looming endorsement." Obama's campaign declined to comment. Cifrino said Powell and Sen. John McCain met the prior week.

Voting by Hispanics surged in the last congressional elections, showing strength that could swing this year's presidential vote in closely contested states such as Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, The Associated Press reports. A government report released yesterday shows 5.6 million Hispanics voted in the 2006 general election, an increase of 18 percent over 2002, the previous year for a federal election without a presidential race on the ballot. That compares with a 7 percent increase among white voters and a 5 percent increase for black voters.

John McCain portrayed free trade yesterday as a win-win proposition for the United States and its Latin American economic partners, but labor leaders said it's been a big loser for Rust Belt voters, The Associated Press reports. The GOP presidential hopeful was beginning a three-day visit to Colombia and Mexico after a swing through Indiana and Pennsylvania.