MIAMI -- Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain will address the South Florida Cuban-American community this week as they rally in the area.

Ten years ago, if a presidential candidate wanted support from the Cuban-American exile community in South Florida, there was a mandatory audience with Jorge Mas Canosa and the Cuban American National Foundation, foundation officials said.

Pepe Hernandez, previous leader of the CANF, stood next to Mas Canosa for years.

"It's important to understand that our community has changed," Hernandez said. "It is changing."

Mas Canosa died at age 58. His son, Jorge Mas Santos, assumed control of the power group. He watched as members defected, unhappy as Mas Santos steered the group on a more moderate path.

When Fidel Castro fell ill, his brother Raul took charge of Cuba, willing to speak with the U.S. government.

"We can't continue with the policy of just isolating Cuba and isolating ourselves from Cuba," Hernandez said.

Early in his campaign, Sen. John McCain found that Miami's Cuban population was fragmented. Some wanted to lift travel restrictions, modify the embargo and talk to Raul Castro under certain conditions.

Sen. Barack Obama came to Miami with popularity elsewhere, but not with Cubans who heard Obama's statements about unconditionally meeting with controversial foreign leaders.

"If you feel that you can talk to them, talk to them," Hernandez said. "But ask them, what are they prepared to do for the Cuban people? There's nothing wrong in talking."

Since January 2006, Florida Hispanic Democrats have increased registration by 18 percent. Republican Hispanic registrations have only grown by 2 percent. Independent Hispanic registrations have gone up 14 percent.