It doesn't sound like a particularly important political event, but it is a reminder of how -- as this race shapes up -- the black vote will likely decide it.

Narrower than that, the contest between Freddy and Mike is largely a struggle for the allegiance of the black middle class, a group whose political allegiance has never been as crucial as it is in this election.

With Freddy the first Hispanic major-party nominee, those African-American homeowners, professionals, and civil servants are this year's swing constituency.