Just this past weekend Presidential Candidates Barack Obama (D-IL) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) paid homage to civil rights activists in Selma, Alabama. Trying to garner what has been a tug-of-war for the black vote, these democratic candidates are forgetting another essential group - the Papi's. As you may have heard, the Hispanic population in the US has surpassed the black population. Then why are these candidates still fighting for the black votes? Both groups have similar turnouts at presidential elections. The next presidential election may be even more motivating for the Hispanics with the issue of immigration still on the table that may result in a higher turnout.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Bill Richardson, the only candidate with ties to a Hispanic background, has managed to keep a low profile thus-far. But his popularity may only grow over time. Remember, the past few elections have shown how the front-runners, come election time are no longer in the running.
Do you think it's critical to focus on the hispanic vote?
8 comments:
I disagree. As a whole, The black population votes overwhelmingly Democrat, while the Hispansics - many which are conservative Catholics- vote Republican. I feel that it is too early anyway, but in essence i disagree with this thought
Latino's vote republican?! Where the heck have you been.
"A survey of 800 registered Hispanic voters conducted May 11-15 by the nonpartisan Latino Coalition showed that Democrats were viewed as better able to handle immigration issues than Republicans, by nearly 3 to 1: 50 percent to 17 percent. Pitting the Democrats against Bush on immigration issues produced a 2 to 1 Democratic advantage, 45 percent to 22 percent."
--Washington Post 2006
The black vote is more likely to face a larger split. Hispanics can vote as a group and this year its about who'll foster the immigration bill.
It's not to early if candidates have begun campaigning already, and the 08 elections have dominated the media.
As the Latino Voter Project demonstrated, the latino votes are up for grabs. Bush, representative of the republican party, has lost their credibility for them already.
Hispanics voting Republican is a baseless argument.
You cannot argue that a historical fact is baseless. The majority of the hispanics in this country are conservative catholics, and have voted republican. While it is true that they are losing faith in the administation, how can you call my argument baseless if a majority of hispanics voted Republican even in this past election?
Fact: 41 million latinos
Fact: 26 million Mexicans
Fact: Mexicans vote for Democrats (issue of immigration important to them).
Fact: Majority of Cubans in America helped Bush win (Florida).
(Their mutual hate for Castro).
It would be ignorant to say a majority of latinos voted for Bush.
It would be stupid to think Democrats cannot take the hispanic vote in '08.
This past election majority of hispanics did not vote Republican, hence we have a Democratic majority.
Source (US Census).
You cannot prove that Mexicans vote Democrat
Also, you cannot link the democratic majority to the hispanic vote - it was moderate white america in Mid-Western states that created the majority. Also, the majority was created because of dissent over Iraq, not immigration.
Hispanics are against abortion (hence 30-year jail sentence as punishment in Guatemala) and against Gay Marriage (standard of Catholic Church).
I am not saying that the Democrats cannot win thw Hispanic vote, I am simply explaining why the Democrats are focusing on the black vote - instead of gathering the hispanic vote.
You're right I cannot prove it, but that's what we have the US Census for.
Please check your facts then open your mouth.
I have checked my facts - I have shown my facts all throughout my arguments but they are being ignored...
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