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November 19 2001 New York Times
Top Democrats Politic Through Rural Mexico
By GINGER THOMPSON
PUEBLA, Mexico, Nov. 18 — Thousands of miles away from their own constituents, the two top Democrats from the United States took a morning ride today through a rural stretch of central Mexico that had all the trappings of a campaign. Senator Tom Daschle, the majority leader from South Dakota, and Representative Richard A. Gephardt, the minority leader from Missouri, visited villages in Puebla State that are connected to the United States by the blood and money of immigrants. They stopped at an elementary school where teachers complained about soaring dropout rates as children move with their families to the United States. They toured a women's cooperative that produces canned kumquats and peach wine, led mostly by wives left behind by their husbands. They gushed over the work of local artisans and tasted homemade candies.
Although they never asked for votes here, Mr. Daschle and Mr. Gephardt made a series of stunning promises.
"We want to ensure that that those people who have come from Puebla to the Northeast and want to stay in the United States as citizens can do so," Mr. Daschle said, to loud applause from the crowd.
Mr. Gephardt offered economic assistance to help develop more jobs for Mexicans who resist the lure of the United States and stay in their homeland.
Henry Romero/Reuters. Richard A. Gephardt, left, the House majority leader, and Linda and Tom Daschle, the Senate majority leader, with children in Puebla State Sunday. [ Continue....... ]
