Goal: Divide GOP Cuban voting bloc

[ringmastery]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/8060732.htm

Hoping to exploit a rift between President Bush and exile leaders, Democrats in Florida and Washington are devising a strategy to undercut the GOP's Hispanic support.

BY PETER WALLSTEN

[e-mail]

Democrats in Florida and Washington are devising an aggressive strategy to court typically Republican Cuban-American voters, hoping to exploit a festering rift between President Bush and some exile leaders who say the administration has failed to deliver on campaign promises.

The plan was hatched at a private meeting this week in Miami between local Cuban-American leaders, strategists from the state and national Democratic Party, and at least one key fundraiser for the likely Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

The Democratic National Committee plans to showcase its potential inroads among Florida Hispanic voters -- Cuban and non-Cuban alike -- at a major summit being planned for May in Orlando, the political nerve center of the critical Interstate 4 corridor.

The goal: Match or exceed President Clinton's 1996 performance, in which he snagged 40 percent of the Cuban-American vote and won Florida's electoral votes.

''We think the president has taken that community for granted,'' said Nelson Reyneri, a senior DNC strategist and the party's point man on Hispanic outreach, who arranged the Wednesday meeting in Miami and spent Friday in Orlando preparing for the May gathering. ``If we peel off even a small amount of the Cuban-American vote, we win.''

[Cuban_Liberal]

1. They're right.

This President has all but ignored the concerns of Cuban-Americans. We are not a monolithic voting bloc whose entire world revolves around anti-Castro sentiment. Many of us, myself included, believe that distancing our two nations is the wrong thing to do; constructive engagement, easing travel restrictions and money-transfers, etc. (bridge building) are far more likely to ensure the evolution of a democratic Cuba, post-Castro, not to mention allieviating the suffering of the people of that now-blighted 'Jewel of the Carribean'.

[Mika]

2. Since when have Cuban-Americans been a singular voting bloc??

C'mon DUers, how many times have these graphs been posted

charts from www.opensecrets.org

[Cuban_Liberal]

3. We never have been.

Sadly, the RW/anti-Castro elements of the Cuban-American community have been given far too much 'face time' in the media, which has led many Americans to believe that we are ALL Republicans. Sadly, even a significant percentage of Democrats have bought into that, even though it is far from the truth, as your graphs clearly demonstrate.

[Mika]

4. Match or exceed Clinton's record?

Cuba better get get ready for another round of assaults then.

Helms-Burton (the modern extraterritorial US embargo on Cuba) was signed into law by Clinton. The Libertad Act was signed into law by Clinton. The usless boondogles of pandering Radio & TV Marti's funding was exponentially increased by Clinton. etc etc.


Do DUers know that the terrorist organization the CANF founder Jorge Mas Canosa was a S Florida Clinton fundraiser?


CANF founder and Clinton fundraiser Jorge Mas Canosa & Bill Clinton



Do DUers really want to out pander the GOPers to the extremist right wingnut "exiles"?

[Cuban_Liberal]

6. Most Cuban-Americans are NOT right wingnut "exiles"

Why do people think we are? You may well disagree with some of the Clinton-era strategies, but what would you do? Laugh at Radio/TV Marti all you like, but the fact of the matter is that it represents the ONLY non- Communist media voice available to the people of Cuba, one which millions literally risk imprisonment to hear.

It is easy to stand safely grounded in America and criticize any of dozens of efforts aimed at Cuba by our government, but again, what alternative plan(s) do YOU offer? You may not agree with many of the various programs, as I myself do not, but the most disastrous thing any of us could do would be to do NOTHING at all to help the enslaved people of Cuba. Jorge Mas Canosa, or 'Whore-hay' as many of us refer to him, is not representative of the Cuban-American community.

Most Cuban-Americans ARE staunch anti-Communists, but that does not make us RW-ers; FDR, HST and JFK were also staunch anti-Communists, I remind you. We are a people who are desperate to help our families and friends who remain in Cuba. Have you ANY idea of what 'life' is like in the worker's paradise that is Castro's Cuba? What would YOU do, if it were YOUR family who was trapped there?

The Democratic party should reach out to us, because we are 'all ears'.

/rant off

[Mika]

9. I know that, that's why I posted the charts.

I would normalized relations with Cuba now. The anti Castro factions thrive because the demonization and continuation of Castro's head of state status, while Castro thrives because of the acts of invasion and terra as well as continued threats of more from the anti Castro US government stance. Its just a fact.. people do rally behind war hero presidents in times of war. Its just simply time for the US to back off end the war against Cuba.


Poll: Cuban-Americans focus is local
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/cuba/6269237.htm

The majority of Cuban Americans living in Miami-Dade County are more concerned with improving their lives in the United States than with issues in Cuba, according to a recent poll commissioned by a national Hispanic voter-registration group.

Overall, 62 percent of the 600 Cuban Americans polled said that spending time and money improving their quality of life in this country was more important than working to remove the regime of Cuban President Fidel Castro.

___________


"Laugh at Radio/TV Marti all you like, but the fact of the matter is that it represents the ONLY non- Communist media voice available to the people of Cuba, one which millions literally risk imprisonment to hear."


What utter BS.

I have listened to radio from the US and Caribbean radio stations all over Cuba during many stays in Cuba, as do Cubans. In northern Cuba one can tune in several S Florida TV stations too, as well as the dozens of anti Castro radio stations in Miami. NO ONE is arrested for listening in. What on earth would motivate you to state such a ridiculous falsehood.


I don't buy into the rest of your "desperate in Cuba" rant. I've lived in Cuba and saw no desperation.. poverty yes, but not desperation.


Families are not "trapped" in Cuba. The US alone offers over 20,000 LEGAL immigration visas per year to Cubans (more than any other single state). Many of my Cuban-American friends visit Cuba for vacations. I addition, their Cuban based relatives come to Miami (and elsewhere in the USA) for visits and then return to their homes in Cuba. Surely you know this.

[Cuban_Liberal]

12. Read what I wrote again.

I did not say the Cuban people were desperate, I said WE were desperate to free them from Communism.

A vacation in Cuba is like a vacation anywhere else--- you see what makes for a good vacation, not neccessarily what represents everyday life in the country you're visiting. Families ARE trapped in Cuba, whether you agree or not. Families are not allowed to come visit 'en masse', and seldom are they allowed to emigrate 'en masse'---ALWAYS some family member is denied permission to leave, so as to serve as 'insurance' of good behavior and/or return.

It IS against Cuban law to listen to ANY American radio/TV station; the fact that it is rarely enforced does not make it legal. There IS no 'falsehood' in my statement, and it is certainly not ridiculous, although your assertion to the contrary is.

Now, to the things we DO agree on: I agree that any effort aimed at overthrowing Castro is worse than pointless. As I said in my initial post here, I believe that time, money and effort would be better devoted to 'bridge building' and a normalization of the trade, travel and diplomatic situations. The more interaction between our nations and our peoples, the better a foundation that can be laid for the democratization of post-Castro Cuba, and the less the chance that a thug like Whore-hay Mas Canosa will have his evil, sticky fingers stuck in it.

I frankly think we agree about 95%, and are quibbling over the least important %5.

[Mika]

5. Its going to be hard to outdo this

January 16, 2004
U.S. Official Urges Careful Planning for Democratic Transition in Cuba
Ambassador Roger F. Noriega, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Remarks at a USAID/Cuba Transition Project Seminar
http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/rm/28281.htm

16 January 2004
U.S. Official Examines Relief Strategies at Cuba Transition Conference
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=20 ...

16 December 2003
State Department on Repression in Cuba
"The Dream Deferred: Fear and Freedom in Fidel's Cuba"
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=20 ...

December 8, 2003
Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/12/20031208-8.html

October 15, 2003
Enforcement of U.S. Travel Restrictions to Cuba to be Enhanced
http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2003/Oct/15-270865.html

October 10, 2003
President Bush Discusses Cuba Policy in Rose Garden Speech
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/10/20031010-2.html

26 September 2003
President Bush Fully Committed to Democratic Transition in Cuba
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=20 ...

08 May 2003
U.S. Pledges Increased Support for "Voices of Freedom" in Cuba
http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ar/us-cuba/03050806.htm

16 April 2003
U.S. to Continue Working Toward Peaceful Change in Cuba, Says Official
http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ar/us-cuba/03041604.htm

17 September 2002
State Department Official Explains U.S. Position on Cuba
Says Cuba is attempting to impede U.S. war on terrorism
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02091808.htm

24 July 2002
Bush Administration Reiterates that U.S. Policy on Cuba Remains Unchanged
Voices opposition to House vote to lift restrictions on trade, travel
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02072500.htm

11 July 2002
Bush Administration Opposes Legislative Efforts to Amend Cuba Policy
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02071606.htm

05 June 2002
State Dept. Reaffirms Cuba Has Biological Warfare Research Effort
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/arms/02060502.htm

21 May 2002
Cuba Continues to Sponsor Terrorism, Says State Department Report
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02052118.htm

21 May 2002
Reich Testifies on New Initiative for Cuba Says initiative is designed to generate peaceful change in Cuba
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02052114.htm

May 20, 2002
President Bush Announces Initiative for a New Cuba
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/05/20020520-2.html

13 May 2002
Powell Says Cuba Has Bio Weapons Research Capacity
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/arms/02051405.htm

06 May 2002
Bolton: Libya, Syria, Cuba Need Scrutiny for Weapons Programs
Under Secretary addresses WMD threats at Heritage Foundation

07 April 2002
"The United States and Cuba," by Secretary of State Colin Powell .
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02040809.htm

Profile of the USAID Cuba Program
http://www.usaid.gov/regions/lac/cu/program_report/profile.html




Only ONE candidate for US president
openly states that he would end the
unjust policy of sanctions and embargoes
against Cuba AND Americans.

That candidate is Dennis Kucinich.

-The Democratic Presidential Candidates on Cuba-
http://www.lawg.org/tools/prez-candidates1.htm

[Bombtrack]

7. First way: NOMINATE ALEX PANELAS FOR SENATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a volunteer on his campaign. I haven't started working but I will soon. If anyone is in Florida I urge you to go to one of his appearances and speak to him. Don't believe all the crap that people like that blowhard Jim Defede at the herald writes about, and the misinformation about his involvement with the FTAA, which he tried to get 2 captains suspended for

[Cuban_Liberal]

8. Good for you!

He's an AWESOME candidate! :thumbsup:

[Mika]

10. What about his reversal on the AA Arena on public property?

Alex P campaigned on the platform of no stadiums for the rich on highly valued public lands for free. Three days after his election on that platform.. he reversed his position and signed the deal for the AA Arena on Bayfront Park.

Where was Alex's support for the law (and for Gore) during the 2000 selection debacle in Miami? He took a vacation to Spain just at that desperate time, coincidently.

[Bombtrack]

11. The Gore campaign brushed him off

They gave him signals that he wasn't welcome because of his opposition to Clintons Elian policy and sending a child back to an authoritarian dictatorship. You can hold the latter against him, but you can't the former. He offered his aide in the 2000 campaign, and recieved nothing but mixed messages. You should read this article about him.
http://www.floridahispano.com/html/alex_penelas_-_the_people_s_ma.html