GOP strategists worry about future of Hispanic vote

[Still a Democrat]

As jubilant Republicans prepare to take control of the U.S. House and increase their clout in the U.S. Senate next month, some GOP political consultants are urging them not to ignore the lessons of their biggest failure: California.

While Republicans swept into congressional offices and governors' mansions across the nation, the Golden State elected two liberal Democrats to their top statewide offices, returning U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer to the Senate and electing Attorney General Jerry Brown governor despite early predictions that Republicans would win both seats.

Those results, GOP strategists say, can be tied directly to the alienation of Hispanic voters turned off by years of tough rhetoric on immigration by California Republicans. And unless Republicans in Washington heed the warning and tone down the way they debate immigration policy, this year's GOP successes could be short-lived, strategists say.

...

http://www.rgj.com/article/20101220/NEWS/12200318/1321/GOP-strategists-worry-about-future-of-Hispanic-vote

[muntrv]

1. Really? I thought republickers only care about the whaaat krischin man.

[Lisa D]

2. They'll just try to make it illegal for Hispanics to vote

It will be called the NIGHTMARE Act. On second thought, the Nightmare Act describes everything they do.

[Still a Democrat]

7. Don't give them any ideas n/t

[Vogon_Glory]

3. By The Looks Of It, They've Little To Fear In Texas And Arizona

by the looks of it, race-baiting rabid-right Republicans have little to fear from Hispanic voter retaliation in Arizona and Texas. I believe that fully-legal, American citizen-voters of Mexican heritage constitute about a third of Arizona's adult population. In Texas, the proportion of Hispanics to "Anglo" voters is even greater.

Arizona Hispanic voters had a wonderful opportunity to punish right-wing race-baiters and opportunistic Republican politicos like Jan Brewer this last November or serving notice on John McCain that he works for all Arizonans, not just the rabid right. Instead of flexing their muscles at the polls, Hispanic voters stayed home in droves.

The same sorry scenario played out in Texas. Rick Perry is back again, as is the same cast of statewide Republican politicos. Texas Democrats had a disastrous set-back in the state legislature--nearly two dozen Democratic legislators lost their seats and with two defections, the Texas Republican Party now has a super-majority and can stick it to the poor and minorities as often as they please.

Yeah, I'll concede that Texas Hispanics could be a "sleeping giant." But they'll have to wake up and rouse themselves first.

This year they've chosen to sleep in and like Polyphemus of old, who slept while Ulysses was plotting against him, they've been done unto.

[Raine]

4. Bwahahaha it's a little too late to worry about that

isn't it?? It suited their purposes for years to use Hispanics as their scapegoats now all of a sudden they worry, well duh. Dumb asses! :silly:

[Still a Democrat]

6. + 1

n/t

[patrice]

5. Around here there are Hispanics who will scowl at you if you say "Si se puede" to them.

Fact.

The churches and our CoC are tight here and EVERYTHING is about jobs!

[Xicano]

8. TOO LATE!! You Already Exposed Yourselves and LYING Won't Hide Your True Colors Now.

n/t

[dkf]

9. Maybe Hispanics who came here legally don't like people assuming they condone and welcome illegal

Immigration. I sure don't appreciate when someone of my race breaks the law.

[Rex]

10. Notice how they worry about the hispanic vote, but not the hispanic

people? All they care about it getting elected, the actual people are just irrelevant numbers.