Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Well there's Marco Rubio, for one. But by the end of tomorrow, we'll most likely see two new Hispanic Republican governors and at least three new Hispanic Republican representatives. Carrie Budoff Brown at Politico reports:
New Mexico attorney Susana Martinez is favored to emerge as the country’s first Latina governor. Former federal judge Brian Sandoval is likely to become Nevada’s first Latino governor.
And in a little-noticed development, Hispanic Republicans could win three or more seats in the House – up from three now – including in some districts that are far from majority Hispanic.
The Hispanic vote will be crucial in the presidential election of 2012. And in terms of outreach to this segment of the electorate, the election of well-spoken, attractive Hispanic candidates is a darned good place to start.
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Jul '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Is Inez Sainz a Republican? How about Salma Hayek?
I'll bet either of them would have done a better job than Meg Whitman.
Edited on Nov 1, 2010 at 12:24pmOct '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Diane Ellis, Ed.:
The Hispanic vote will be crucial in the presidential election of 2012. And in terms of outreach to this segment of the electorate, the election of well-spoken, attractive Hispanic candidates is a darned good place to start. ·
I understand completely what you are saying and I don't necessarily disagree.
Still, it's a bit depressing that we're in the 21st century and we're still having to think about things like skin color and ethnicity when it comes to these sort of things. I would have hoped that by now in our history a message of liberty and opportunity would resonate with all Americans regardless of what the messenger looked like.
Aug '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
I have to tell you, Diane, identifying candidates by ethnicity makes me a little queasy. That's how the other side plays the game; our side should be pointing out that what matters is not identity politics but political convictions. I've always hated the notion that only a woman can represent women, only blacks can represent blacks, etc. I will vote for any person of any gender, ethnicity or religion that will reflect my political philosophy; we should encourage all people to do likewise.
The Republican party - of all parties - should be truly colorblind...
Jul '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Frozen Chosen: I have to tell you, Diane, identifying candidates by ethnicity makes me a little queasy. That's how the other side plays the game; our side should be pointing out that what matters is not identity politics but political convictions. I've always hated the notion that only a woman can represent women, only blacks can represent blacks, etc. I will vote for any person of any gender, ethnicity or religion that will reflect my political philosophy; we should encourage all people to do likewise.
The Republican party - of all parties - should be truly colorblind... · Nov 1 at 12:20pm
I hear you, Frozen. You, too, Publius.
But we work with the reality we have. And the reality is that people, since the dawn, have been tribal.
We'd like to think that America is exempt from that reality, but it never has been. First, we were politically divided by religious denomination - do recall that States had the right to declare an offical religion and sometimes did.
Then came the Irish. And the Italians. And the Jews. And, following emancipation, the blacks.
Hispanic Republican. Hispanic Democrat...Hispanic comes first.
Just ask Linda Chavez.
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Publius and Frozen Chosen: I agree with both of you. But the fact of the matter is that a Marco Rubio or Susana Martinez are better equipped to speak to the concerns that many Hispanic voters have.
First off, it helps if the person doing the outreach can speak in a common native tongue -- in this case, Spanish. While we should hope that Hispanic voters speak English (most do) it's important to convey the conservative message even to brand new immigrants. Democrats are beating us here.
Second, I have to tell you that I was really impressed with Rubio's last campaign ad. His family's story -- immigrants who came, worked hard, and were able to provide a better life for their children -- really resonated with me (my mom is a Mexican immigrant who came here three decades ago, worked really hard, learned English, etc etc). Being able to relate to the Hispanic electorate on this level is really important.
I have an aunt, also a Mexican immigrant, who's been a citizen for about ten years. She's a single mother who worked her tail off for the Obama campaign in '08. I asked her why she supported Obama. Her answer? "He can relate tomy story. He's gone through a lot of the same things I have. He knows my struggles." Geez louise. We need candidates who do a better job at connecting with people like my aunt.
Edited on Nov 1, 2010 at 12:56pmMay '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Diane Ellis, Ed.: Publius and Frozen Chosen: I agree with both of you. But the fact of the matter is that a Marco Rubio or Susana Martinez are better equipped to speak to the concerns that many Hispanic voters have.
First off, it helps if the person doing the outreach can speak in a common native tongue -- in this case, Spanish. While we should hope that Hispanic voters speak English (most do) it's important to convey the conservative message even to brand new immigrants. Democrats are beating us here.
Agreed on all counts. Though I'm not familiar with the other candidates you mentioned, Rubio is genuinely impressive. Not perfect, of course, but who is?
If the GOP can speak to a demographic through qualified leaders who also happen to be Latino, it will be utterly devastating to Democrats for whom "Latino" is simply another checkbox on a list of interest groups, to be represented by whatever kook they dig up with the appropriate last name and party loyalty.
Aug '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Kenneth
But we work with the reality we have. And the reality is that people, since the dawn, have been tribal.
Does that mean that you and I are in the white honkie cracker tribe, Kenneth?
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
How can this be, Diane? Didn't BHO just tell Latinos that conservatives and Republicans were their enemies?
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
David Limbaugh: How can this be, Diane? Didn't BHO just tell Latinos that conservatives and Republicans were their enemies? · Nov 1 at 1:51pm
That liberals expect Latinos to buy into this rhetoric hook, line, and sinker like mindless sheep is evidence of their contempt for minorities.
May '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
So when is Diane running?
The issue for the GOP is 1) tone, and 2) balance. Right now, anyone who doesn't favor rounding up everyone who has a good sun tan and dumping them in Jaurez is accused of favoring amnesty (spoken at top volume). And every moderate proposal (e;g., Mike Pence's) that doesn't feature a sort of rendition is defined the same way.
You can favor sensible enforcement policies and still not come off as a nativist. And we won't be believed in our outreach effots until we pull that off.
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Diane Ellis, Ed.
David Limbaugh: How can this be, Diane? Didn't BHO just tell Latinos that conservatives and Republicans were their enemies? · Nov 1 at 1:51pm
That liberals expect Latinos to buy into this rhetoric hook, line, and sinker like mindless sheep is evidence of their contempt for minorities. · Nov 1 at 2:23pm
Good answer.
Oct '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
This Latino (from my mother's side of the family) says BHO needs to "callete el ocico."
By the way, Idaho might elect a Republican Latino to congress from their state's first congressional district: Raul Labrador.
May '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Oh, c'mon now. I'm not in favor of a Reagan 80's style amnesty (spoken with a moderate tone) because I think it rewards bad behavior. Having grown up in Central America and having traveled extensively in Mexico, there is a definite double standard. It is not okay to flaunt immigration laws when you are south of the U.S. border. However, once you are north of Mexico, the rules don't apply to any law-breaking brown-skinned folk. That's not okay with me.
We need to enforce the borders. People who are here illegally need to show their allegiance to the U.S. by respecting our immigration laws. It certainly would be expected of us Americans when going south of the U.S. border.
Aug '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
FeliciaB
I am not in favor of a Reagan 80's style amnesty (spoken with a moderate tone) because I think it rewards bad behavior... once you are north of Mexico, the rules don't apply to any law-breaking brown-skinned folk. That's not okay with me.
We need to enforce the borders. People who are here illegally need to show their allegiance to the U.S. by respecting our immigration laws. It certainly would be expected of us Americans when going south of the U.S. border. · Nov 1 at 8:53pm
Felicia, your anti-illegal immigration argument is fine.
The challenge facing the GOP as they attempt to court Latino voters is the lack of a coherent pro-legal immigration policy.
The left wants to wave a magic wand and register all illegal Latinos as Democrats.
We need an alternative solution that makes it possible for people here illegally to one day tell stories like those of Diane's mother and aunt and Mark Rubio's family.
Telling the fastest growing ethnic minority here to go back to a Hobbesian failed state is not going to win them over.
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Duane Oyen: So when is Diane running?
I will never be able to run. Ya see, my mom was an illegal immigrant at one point. Were it not for the Reagan amnesty, I would not exist. But you can never succeed as a Republican candidate running for office with that kind of detail in your history.
Oct '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Oh no...
Sep '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Diane,
I absolutely agree that the Hispanic vote will be essential in 2012, and it is nice to see as you said "well-spoken, attractive Hispanic candidates" in the field.
I would also add "principled" to that list. In the case of Rubio, he has actively sought out the Hispanic vote in Florida, while never diluting his message or beliefs. For example, Rubio has been a staunch supporter of Official English legislation.
Fearing a backlash from the Hispanic vote he could have easily dodged this issue, but instead he stuck to his beliefs rather than pandering to win votes.
May '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
FeliciaB
Oh, c'mon now. I'm not in favor of a Reagan 80's style amnesty (spoken with a moderate tone) because I think it rewards bad behavior.
We need to enforce the borders. People who are here illegally need to show their allegiance to the U.S. by respecting our immigration laws.
Oh, c'mon now, Felicia! I actually agree. If you read all of my comments on this subject, it is all about stopping the nativist tone and emphasis. I am as unimpressed by Reuben Navarette's crusade as you are.
Finish the fence, punish employers who hire illegals, deport lawbreakers, fine. Establish new rules for cultural and language studies, entrance exams, etc. to promote assimilation, and give priority to any applicants who meet those rules.
But everyone stop the harsh rhetoric, when the fence is done, we can talk about how to realistically handle the current illegal group in a non-incentive manner.
Diane, I beg to differ. We look at the individual, not the parents.
Oct '10
Re: Midterms Will See Rise of New Latino Stars in the GOP
Oh, I'm not disagreeing with your original post, Diane. I understand how the world works and your points are all very thoughtful and well taken.
I'm just sick to death of identity politics. I'm not a utopian so I understand we have to play the cards we're dealt and if we have the play the game, I want the Rubio card in my hand.