"All sides are trying to court the Cuban-American vote," he said.

They took more than 40 percent of the Cuban-American vote centered in Dade County, but such support may be unlikely this year.

But why shouldn't he try to wrest Florida's Cuban-American vote out of the grip of the Bush brothers?

To pick up some superfluous Cuban-American votes, he signed the Helms-Burton law, which predictably enraged America's key allies and trading partners.

And then there's Florida and its strong Cuban-American vote.

The Cuban-American vote in Florida was crucial to Mr. Bush in the 2000 election.

The Republican nominee prevailed in the state in 1988, 1984 and 1980, with 80 percent or more of the Cuban-American vote.

Democrats here say they hope for at least 30 percent of the Cuban-American vote.

Both political parties court the Cuban-American vote.

As Democrats, we make a huge mistake in walking away from the Cuban-American vote.