Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump rarely deviates from his script -- in this case, his backhanded appeals to racial minorities.

On Monday evening, he commemorated Hispanic Heritage Month during a rally in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

"He happens to be Hispanic, but I've never quite figured it out because he looks more like a WASP than I do," the President said about Steve Cortes, a CNN contributor and Trump's brand of conservative.

Trump continued: "Nobody loves the Hispanics more. Who do you like more, the country or the Hispanics? He says the country. I don't know. I may have to go for the Hispanics, to be honest with you. We got a lot of Hispanics. We love our Hispanics. Get out and vote."

What was on display at Monday's rally was the same kind of rhetorical sorcery the President is known for, this time in pursuit of an ambitious bid to upset New Mexico's decade-plus streak as a Democratic stronghold.