GOP Outreach to Latinos Draws Fire from Conservatives
Who’s afraid of a little outreach to Latinos by moderate Republicans? Both the hard right and the hard left, it seems, albeit for different reasons.
The left is easy to figure out. They benefit from the status quo and the virtual monopoly that the Democratic Party holds on Latino voters, an unearned benefit if ever there was one.
The Obama administration has proven that. It regularly plays Latinos for chumps, using the immigration issue as both a carrot and a stick. Aware that many Latinos favor a comprehensive approach that secures the border but also provides a pathway to legal status for the undocumented, President Obama will — on Cinco de Mayo or whenever he speaks to a Latino audience — promise to deliver just that. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, his administration — specifically, the Department of Homeland Security — has continued the same workplace raids that Obama criticized while running for president and seems to be trying to set a record for deporting as many illegal immigrants as possible.
In fact, during a recent speech in El Paso, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano bragged that the administration has deported nearly 800,000 illegal immigrants in its first two years. There was no applause from the left, who voted for Obama in part because he criticized a system where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents “terrorized” families and local communities. Well, who is doing the terrorizing now?
But what’s more interesting is why the right has its knickers in a twist over attempts by prominent Republicans such as Newt Gingrich, Mike Pence, Norm Coleman and Jeb Bush to mend fences with Latinos, many of whom are upset over the GOP’s harsh language on immigration, and convince them that Republican candidates want their votes. The “kiss and make up” tour is not an officially sanctioned activity of the GOP. But it is terribly necessary given that Latinos are expected to make up 30 percent of the U.S. population by 2050.
One stop on the tour was Miami, where Coleman and Bush recently helped convene the inaugural meeting of the Hispanic Leadership Network, a new organization that intends to act as a bridge between Hispanics and the “center-right” movement.
I was invited to participate as part of a media panel. The whole event was on the record, and there was a good amount of press in the room.
Your articles consistently point out the ignorance and stupidity of people that you disagree with.
In example today’s rant in essence ends by saying that the majority of Latinos are so stupid that they will kiss Obama’s ass come Election Day just to make you happy.
Point of Interest: Newt Gingrich, Mike Pence, Norm Coleman and Jeb Bush are establishment kingpins, not prominent Republicans. They, like you Mr. Navarrette are has beens that cannot accept the fact that they no longer matter to anyone except themselves.
Good point! Navarrrette’s bigotry here is as pathetic as the Washington D.C. Ward 4 Council member who said WalMart should not open stores there because they would prove to be too much of a temptation to residents to steal.
Of course, then there Senor Bigot’s race baiting with, “many Republicans antagonize Latinos by using them as piñatas to entertain white constituents” nonsense. Apparrently Ruben would prefer that Latinos be “assuaged” as if they were underage ladies of easy morals in a Democratic W*house South of the Border.
PJM: DUMP THIS AUTHOR!
I just want to point out one thing: 5 de Mayo? What the heck? That’s a very Mexican commemoration day.. only! Me and the rest of latinos don’t know and don’t care about Mexican days. That said, Latinos and Republicans don’t need outreach. The whole point of a political party is that it’s an organization with certain values, and the ones who share those values are sympathizer of that party. So the GOP don’t need to reach latinos but to reach people who share republican values, independently of their origin, religion, race or social condition.
You are spot on, pelao. I have been trying to say that to this Navarrette bozo for a couple of years now. There is nothing conservative about people who incessantly try to represent special interests with assinine group speak. That goes for all these paid lobbyists in Washington and at the State Houses. This is collectivism in its second to worst manifestation. The worst manifestation is the tyranny that will inevitably result from the collectivist approach. We have a Constitution that should protect from this outcome if we will only follow the guidelines it contains.
Excellent point Pelao YY. We are not stupid. I will not vote for Obama simply because I do not share his values! Most hispanics share the conservative values and will vote those values in the ballot box.
Well, from a purely strategic perspective the GOP most certainly has to appeal in some way to Latino voters. Demographically their future depends on it. In short, here’s why: brown people are having babies, while white people are not and are getting old and dying off. The Democratic Party understands this. The GOP does not.
The only problem with your thinking, Praetorian, is that you mix up
“appealing to voters based on principles”
with “bribing voters with government subsidies.”
That you don’t see a difference speaks volumes.
Pinatas? So you feel comfortable accusing “whites” of bashing ethnic others? That’s a false accusation and a racist one. I am always surprised when Pajamas Media give space to this sort of knee-jerk racial pilloring.
Exactly. I am a Latina and resent anyone saying that “whites” are using me as a pinata. I am a conservative because I believe in those principles and I don’t need “special attention” because of the color of my skin. You either believe government should get out of the way, or you believe government should dictate what you eat and drive. Either way your ethnicity has nothing to do with it! WE do not need any more outreach than anyone else!
Great article, bravo.
Rubén: I’m an American. Yes, from the United States of AMERICA. Like the Mexicans are from the Estados Unidos de MEXICO. Not a “unitedstatesian” like racist Latinos wish me to be called.
I also happily live in Latin America, happily married to a Latina for several decades. I’m no racist.
However, you who repeatedly write false innuendos of the American “right”, and all the Latinos that screamed filthy insults at America and their respectable citizenry these last years — while gobbling freebies — you all deserve to go live in Sonora for as long as they let you live, which won’t be long. You don’t deserve to be listened to.
Let the Latinos reach out to the Americans FOR ONCE! Let you advise THAT for once!
I don’t read this La Raza mouthpiece anymore. It’s the same thing over and over.
I concur, although I would call him a ‘Reconquista’ mouth piece. Zero credibility.
Your columns are demagogic and offensive. They stand in stark contrast to the rest of the thoughtful work that is presented her.
There he goes again – lying by omission.
There has been no “harsh language on immigration” from the GOP.
There have been a few (too few) Republicans who have had the courage to stand up to racists like Navarette and speak out against LAWBREAKING by foreigners who invade our country. It’s sometimes called illegal immigration, but it really shouldn’t be. It’s simple lawbreaking.
Navarette, find and post just one example of “harsh language on immigration” from the GOP for us. Just one.
I dare you.
i was taught that in the usa we have “americans” and those that are here temporarily (and now, illegally)
all of this hyphenization and subdivision does not let the melting and marinating and interaction, that would otherwise happen naturally in a free society, that eventually adds depth and flavor to our american stew
instead we have all the carrots in one corner, all the onions in another, we dont have any garlic (a result of some insect at risk in the garlic farms now protected by federal law), and the rest of the ingredients are separated, victimized, and ultimately protected from ever interacting with each other
we should never cater to a group but to americans
Another day, another strawman created by Ruben FOR Ruben to complain about. It’s typical for Ruben to complain about a lack of “schmoozing” and then claim “racism” is the cause. It’s also amusing to witness Ruben whine about “snarky” opinions from others. Clearly he feels that only HE is allowed to be “snarky.” Newsflash (again) for Ruben: The Latinos who are so “offended” by people who reject the idea of open borders are not interested in being Conservatives. They’re offended because they’re radical Leftists who use their ethnicity as a wedge issue. And as for “racism” …the rhetoric of Latinos on the Left speaks for itself.
I would love to stick a stake in the heart of the lie at the heart of this entire piece: that “imigration reform” is a “latino issue.” The truth is that “imigration reform” (or, more accurately, normalization of illegal immigrants) is a Mexican-American issue. Americans from Cuba don’t care. Americans from Peru don’t care. Americans from Brazil, Equador, Guatamala, even Spain don’t care. If anything, they are consistently and resoundingly opposed to amnesty proposals.
It is true that the majority of Latinos in the US have roots in Mexico, and that allows them and the left to characterize this debate as one based upon race or culture or bigottry, when the truth is that is not an ethnic matter at all, but, rather, one of nationality and sovereignty.
I reach out to Latinos. Latinos reach out to me. Every day.
Our reciprocal outreach has little to do with restoration of principles on which this country is founded, principles that are strong within the Latino culture, human freedom, hard work, personal responsibility et al. and etc.
As long as we stayed mired in the mindset of mollycoddling sundry identity groups, we’re stuck in the mud.
Conservatism isn’t about that.
It’s about bedrock principles of the human condition.
Rueben is a very conflicted man, he is obviously intelligent, and he can see the truth. The reality of his conflict is that seeing the truth and accepting the reality is the source of his conflict.
Carlos, I think Reagan described people like Navarrette well:
“It’s just that so much of what they know isn’t so.”
Conflicted? I think that’s too generous here, as I see no desire on the part of the author to “resolve” any conflict.
Moreso I see his screeds as AgitProp, drop after drop….
Ruben,
as Hispanic and as Conservative Registered Republican, I want to ponit out two things: Latinos could be the 30% of the US population in 2050 but right now we are less than 20%.
You, as Latino, must know that Illegal Immigration is a social-politico- economic disaster for the USA.
You cannot be a conservative and wishy washy on illegal immigation just because you are a minority or an immigrant.
Path for citizenship to illegals is a slap in the face of the people of Puerto Rico who has shred blood for this country for over a century, yet they can’t even vote for the President.
Before talking about path for legalization of these criminals let’s talk about equality for the Commowealth of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico wants to be equal, but doesn’t want to be a state. I think they go hand in hand. You want to vote for the President, and get representation in Congress, become a state.
Reuban, I disagree with you on a whole lot of things but — in some real sorta Latino — Illegitimis non carborundum.
…Latinos, many of whom are upset over the GOP’s harsh language on immigration, and convince them that Republican candidates want their votes.
Newly elected governor of New Mexico and former prosecutor Susana Martinez strongly supports enforcement of immigration laws currently on the books. (Nobody in the previous 8 years under GWB or 2 years under BHO has seen fit to change those laws, so, you know, the law is the law, despite the fact that, to some, it doesn’t mean much anymore, given the way the current Attorney General flouts it or the fact it was so flexible for Billy Clinton during Monicagate.)
Susana Martinez also plans to work for suspending drivers licenses granted to illegals under the former governor, half-Hispanic Bill (“even too dicey for a slot in the Obama administration”) Richardson.
Only Latinos who perceive they would stand to gain by not enforcing the rule of law might complain against harsh language or find the Arizona law anything other than logical given the failure of the federal government to do its job relative to illegal immigration.
Why should this nation be on a fast track to having such a huge percentage of our population be Latino by allowing millions of them to illegally pour over our borders which we make no serious attempt to control while we have largely shut the door to highly productive and educated Europeans?
Our culture is being significantly changed AWAY from our heritage as English speaking Anglo-Euro people. We do not require assimilation of these millions of Latinos as they bring their own culture of failure to our nation and support organizations such as La Raza and support the idea of reconquista and the forming of Aztlan in the U.S.
We are allowing Spanish to rival English in our national discourse and creating a de facto bilingual culture which always leads to problems. The languages of other immigrants are not accorded this advantage because we limit their numbers. Why should the U.S. give over our national identity to Latinos?
Republicans should stand for the values that were used to form our nation and reject those of Latin America. We should set Latino immigration numbers in line with those of other nations and demand that they assimilate just as everyone else does. We should not discriminate in either direction against or for Latinos or any other group.
I know Ruben: maybe we need to get NASA more involved in Hispanic outreach? Why should Muslims get all the affirmative action rides to the stars? Just think, you could be the first journalist to ride the shuttle to nowhere! Ooops, forgot, we have the mid night basket ball thing to fund in Chicago, Sweet Home Chicago. And don’t forget the trillion dollars here and a trillion borrowed dollars there to get free enemas for everyone as they come across the border with their anchor babies in the oven. Yes indeed, more selective abortion, less population, it’s the carbon free way to go! Hey, Ruben?
Hey rueben you racist POS. I did not even need to read your racist garbage.
No outreach to criminal aliens. That is ay who cross our border without our permission or who overstay their our welcome.
Your words make me ever more understanding of Dragging Canoe.
So the Hispanics are upset over “harsh language” regarding immigration??? or they don’t like our dislike of ILLEGAL immigration?
I am so sick of dealing with apparently terminally stupid people who don’t know the meaning of the word “illegal” or the function of an adjective with regard to the noun.
Go yank somebody else’s chain.
Are Hispanics any different from blacks regarding voting. And how have efforts to appeal to blacks gone for the GOP?
My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen:
Please, if you disagree with Mr. Navarette’s opinion–and I agree there is much to disagree with–don’t bother posting “harsh language” here… that just makes him more sure that he is right and all us knuckle-dragging conservatives are wrong.
Instead, go to PJM’s handy Contact Us page and express your opinion there, where it has a better chance of actually achieving the goal of removing this race-baiter from PJM’s pages.
I think the GOP HAS TO start marketing itself to blacks, hispanics, and every other group in the US. That doesn’t mean pandering to them, just tailoring the message and explaining how GOP policies help them.
True conservatives don’t ignore Latino citizens. We simply regard them as Americans and refuse to view them as a special class. In fact, aside from the La Raza side of the political spectrum, most Latinos are conservative and against illegal immigration.
Willingly dishonest, or woefully ignorant Mr. Navarrette?
Learn the difference between assimilation and demanded apartheid, and you might have an epiphany why so many of us think you’re nothing but a closet, race-baiting Lib and coward, masquerading under the guise of “moderation.”
I agree with you Keith_Indy. It isn’t about pandering, changing the message, or buying votes. It is about correcting the unnatural imbalance of the Democratic Party’s hold over those who think it represents their best interest.
Outreach means getting around the MSM’s and public education’s indoctrination agendas. I know. I lived in a 90% majority Hispanic city for 5 years in a Texas border town. I saw the Hearst-controlled newspaper opinion columns, mostly hate filled anti-Republican stuff. I saw the indoctrination of public school 2nd graders in their kid art/writing displays at the local library. I had well meaning and friendly coworkers who had never been exposed to a different point of view.
GET TO WORK, PEOPLE. It’s about fighting back against the forces of Regressive elitists who masquerade as Progressives. It’s about helping to keep a certain segment of the (newer) population free from the delusions of the elites.
Here’s one example: Mexico has strict gun control laws and has a murder rate of 15 per 100K. A full third of Switzerland households keep military style guns, and they have a 0.3 per 100K murder rate. Are you ready to reach out to a first generation American hispanic friend-a former Mexican-who might just love to know this, if the topic comes up? It might resonate with him.
Another example: would you be able to explain to your friend how affirmative action (as defined today, rather than the original late 60′s mild definition) might not be in his long term best interest because it might rob him of other’s trust in him, or his dignity, even though it might be in his short term material interest? That might resonate with him, even if he has been believing the opposite. Maybe he’s never have someone suggest to him how classical liberalism/modern conservatism might be in his best interest.
How about being ready to reach out with info on the anti-baby and eco-wacko population control agenda of the left? The anti-SUV nonsense? The harm in denying an adopted kid both a mom and a dad? The list goes on and on. The MSM lied about you for decades; perhaps it’s time to harvest the karma.
Note to Ruben. Your core message is right, but a part of the way you say it is not up to the highest standards. Please consider revising about 25% of your article. Replace with positive examples of effective outreach.