Immigration debate sours Latino attitude toward GOP

[Bretttido]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4046001.html

WASHINGTON - Latinos to some extent hold the Republican Party responsible for what they perceive as the negative consequences of the national debate over immigration policy, a poll released Thursday concludes.

It was unclear, however, how the sentiment might play out in the November elections.

In a recent national telephone survey of 2,000 Hispanic adults in the United States, the Pew Hispanic Center found that party affiliation of Latino registered voters has not changed significantly since 2004. Slightly more than 40 percent called themselves Democrats; slightly more than 20 percent Republicans.

The survey's conclusion about Latino attitudes toward Republicans is based on erosion of support for the party's position on immigration.

I'm glad to hear all that confederate-flag waving, eeeng-lish only posturing has hurt the GOP!

:dem:

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. They will shift back to the gay marriage thing. That one polls

much better with the latino voters.

[Hekate]

2. It all remains to be seen. Latinos have been socially conservative...

...traditionally, while voting Democratic. But a lot of groups used to vote Dem -- blue collar workers, union members -- while being socially conservative. The party lost a lot of these people over the years.

Latinos are right to be offended by illegal-immigration politicking and ranting. Lou Dobbs, whom I like very much on a handful of other issues, consistently conflates illegal-immigration/bilingual ballots (Lou? you have to be a citizen before you get close to the ballot)/and people of Hispanic ancestry generally. That's just wrong. The Republican politicians and the conservative talking heads are worse.

I hope Latinos are turning away from the Repub party, but Dems have to continue reframing social policy issues to appeal to values voters -- not to abandon our core principles, but reframe them, or we'll continue to lose voters who should be turning to us.

Hekate

[ProgressiveEconomist]

3. kick