Hispanics the focus as Romney pushes ahead...

MIAMI (AP) — Hispanics are the focus as the race for the White House moves to Florida, a presidential battleground where a charged immigration debate is under way as President Barack Obama seeks to keep Republican challenger Mitt Romney on the defensive.

Facing a Spanish-speaking audience Wednesday night, the former Massachusetts governor was again forced to reiterate his commitment to all Americans following the release of remarks secretly captured on video in which he said, as a candidate, ‘‘my job is not to worry about’’ the 47 percent of Americans who don’t pay income taxes and believe they are ‘‘victims’’ entitled to government help.

‘‘My campaign is about the 100 percent in America,’’ Romney said at a Miami forum Wednesday broadcast by the Spanish-language television network Univision.

The Republican nominee later declared that the GOP ‘‘is the natural home for Hispanic Americans because this is the party of opportunity and hope.’’...