Latinos, Republicans, and the “Tipping” Point

Not too long ago, I had an argument with a colleague over the issue of immigration. He is a strong believer in “self-deportation” and believes that  all “illegals” should be kicked out of the country.  I, of course, was amazed at his rhetoric. The reason? Well, my colleague is not even a US citizen, let alone a resident; he is an individual with a visa. I understand his point of view that immigration needs to be controlled, borders secured, and that “illegal’s” that are here committing crimes and causing trouble should be shown the door. That said, it is almost impossible, not to mention impractical for the U.S. to kick out over 11.2 million people.

Instead of self-deportation, the focus should be on fixing the problem, with Republicans leading the way. Latinos need to see that not all Republicans share the same rhetoric as my colleague.  Case in point: George Bush recently stated that there has to be comprehensive immigration reform.

Even Congressman Ryan approached Congressman Luis Gutierrez about finding a solution to immigration. Following-up on  this, Greg Hinz, a writer with Crain’s Chicago Business stated in his column, entitled “It’s finally Gutierrez’s Immigration Moment” (November 19,2012) that the momentum for comprehensive immigration reform had finally come.

What we see  happening today in the U.S. with the Latino vote is the “tipping” of the electoral vote and serious change in how candidates are being elected. Many decades ago it was the Irish who were the “tipping” point for the Democrats (mostly in cities in the North East) now Latinos are the “tipping” point in the political arena.

While 71% of the Latino vote going to President Obama does have significant political “tipping” power…what of the other 27%? Does anyone know what to think of the small percentage of Latino voters that voted for Governor Romney?

Proud (Latino) Republican - The American Dream

http://www.josefulgencio.com

NM Gov. Susana Martinez staying on Republican governors

SANTA FE (AP) — The Republican Governors Association is keeping New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez on its leadership team.

The group named new leaders at its annual convention earlier this month in Nevada, and Martinez was selected to remain on the eight-member executive committee.

The first-term New Mexico governor took office last year and is the nation's first Hispanic female governor.The association helps elect Republicans to governorships and is a significant fundraiser for candidates. The group was the largest contributor to Martinez's 2010 gubernatorial campaign, providing about $1.3 million.

Meet Jason Villalba

A product of hard work & determination.

A fourth-generation Texan, Jason was born in Dallas at Methodist Hospital. As the son of an airline mechanic, from an early age Jason was taught to work hard, study diligently, act with integrity and do what’s right. As a young man, Jason mowed lawns, worked as a checker at Walmart and a stockboy at a local hardware store to help out his folks. The first in his family to graduate from college, Jason worked his way through Baylor University where he studied Economics and Finance, then graduated from the University of Texas School of Law.

A business-minded approach.

As a former financial analyst and as a partner at one of Dallas’ most respected law firms, Jason has hands-on experience working with and advising growing businesses and start-ups and dealing with complex financial and corporate transactions. As our State Representative, Jason will put his diverse business and financial experience to work to grow our economy, create high-wage jobs, cut wasteful spending and keep our taxes at current or lower rates.

Dedicated to improving education.

As the product of Texas public schools and father of two young girls who will soon attend elementary school in the Dallas ISD, the quality of our public schools is not just a campaign issue to Jason – it’s personal. That’s why as our State Representative, Jason will work tirelessly for meaningful public education reform that broadens charter schools, includes intra-district school choice for our parents and requires more accountability from our administrators and teachers. Like you, Jason believes that improving our schools will strengthen our communities, our economy and our future.

Involved in our community.

An active member of our community for more than a decade, Jason currently serves on the development committee of the Dallas Zoo and is an active member of the Dallas Children’s Trust. Jason has served on the Board of the Dallas Housing Finance Corporation, as the appointee of City Councilmember Ann Margolin, and he has served as a member of the Dallas County Citizens Election Advisory Committee, as the appointee of County Commissioner Maurine Dickey.

A proven conservative.

Jason is the immediate past Vice-Chair of the Dallas County Republican Party and the current Chairman of the Dallas Chapter of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. In 2006 and 2010, Jason was named as a delegate to the Republican Party of Texas State Convention. As our State Representative, Jason will strive for conservative, bold, results-driven solutions that keep Texas great and that make life better for all of our families and citizens.

Texan. Husband. Papa. Republican. Candidate for Texas House District 114 in 2012.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Texans-for-Jason-Villalba/216547845074124
 

A Matter of Time: Latino Demographics Present Long Term Problem for GOP

José Fernando López, the Editor in Chief, PODER Magazine, provides this warning to the Republican Party, he writes:

The results from the first presidential debate have increased Mitt Romney's chances of winning the upcoming presidential election. But, this could be the last federal elections in which the Republican Party has any chance of winning if the GOP cannot find, in the coming years, an appropriate way to attract the Hispanic vote.

According to a report released this week by the Pew Hispanic Center, the number of Latinos eligible to vote this year has reached a record high of 23.7 million people (i.e. 4.2 million potential voters more than four years ago, a growth of 22%). According to the traditional definition, eligible voters are U.S. Citizens ages 18 and older.

In the past, the increase in the potential number of Hispanic voters (who, many years after the famous quote attributed to Ronald Reagan, "Latinos are Republicans. They just do not know it yet," continue to show in the polls their inclination for the Democratic Party), was not enough to tip the political balance of the country, because more than half never even registered to vote. Citing a study by Mark Hugo Lopez and Paul Taylor, the Pew Hispanic Center report says, "the turnout rate of eligible Latino voters has historically lagged to that of whites and blacks by substantial margins. In 2008, for example, 50% of eligible Latino voters casted ballots, compared to 65% of blacks and 66% of whites." At least 3 millon votes were lost.

more ...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jose-fernando-lopez/latino-demographics-gop_b_1939348.html

Después de la elección en Venezuela

Lamentablemente no hubo sorpresa en la elección presidencial en Venezuela. Hugo Chávez ganó convincentemente otro período de seis años con 54% del voto. A pesar de liderar una campaña inspiradora que en algún momento parecía amenazar el régimen de Chávez, Henrique Capriles obtuvo solamente el 44%. La votación fue limpia, aunque la elección en general no sería considerada justa en cualquier democracia madura.

¿Qué sucedió? Resulta evidente que Chávez fue capaz de movilizar a su base electoral a las urnas. A pesar del pésimo manejo económico, de la explosión en el crimen, de una infraestructura que se está cayendo a pedazos y de una corrupción rampante, muchos venezolanos todavía adoran a Chávez. Y él se aseguró de comprar ese amor aumentando el gasto público durante los últimos 12 meses en un 30% en términos reales. A otros puede que no les agrade Chávez, pero todavía se sienten obligados a votar por él. Más de 8 millones de venezolanos reciben algún tipo de ingreso permanente o subsidio del Estado. El régimen no fue sutil cuando les hizo saber que perderían esos beneficios si votaban por Capriles.

 La revista inglesa The Economist reportó la intimidación a la que se enfrentó un segmento importante de electores:

leer más ....http://www.libremente.org/?p=1063

Valerie Martinez-Ebers - Myths and realities of the Latino vote

Valerie Martinez-Ebers a professor of political science destroys the myths society has about   Latinos and voting, she writes:

The Democratic and Republican Parties featured high-profile Latino speakers at their recent conventions, reflecting the growing influence of Hispanic politicians and the parties' need to appeal to Hispanic voters. But what motivates those voters? There are countless misunderstandings about Latinos, their allegiances, and their interests, including: Latinos do not vote.

They do, and in increasing numbers. According to the Census Bureau, the number of Latino voters grew from less than four million in 1988 to 9.7 million in 2008. In 2012, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials expects at least 12.2 million Latinos to vote, representing 9 percent of the electorate.

Although only 55 percent of eligible Hispanics are registered to vote, about 70 percent of those registered consistently turn out. This November, the Latino vote will be pivotal in several battleground states, such as Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, and Virginia.

http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/inquirer/20121009_Myths_and_realities_of_the_Latino_vote.html

Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno addresses the 2012 Republican National Convention

Juntos Con Romney