By Javier Manjarres
Unfortunately for the Republican Party, the writing is clearly on the wall- its lack of a multifaceted, coordinated strategy that aggressively courts Hispanic swing voters will wind up costing the party votes. The blame for this lack of effort should be put squarely on the party itself, as it seems to have resigned itself to the status quo with regards to refining its efforts to woo Hispanics. While current Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus has to take responsibility for the lack of outreach efforts to Latinos since he was elected Chairman, this lack of effort is not all his fault- not by a long shot.
The problem with the Republican establishment’s lack of outreach to court Hispanics is really not all that complicated- as we have been saying all along, the GOP must first understand who Hispanics are- it is just that simple. We are tired of hearing the same old establishment talking points on how to reach out to Hispanics. Where is the real message? Which Hispanic leader is going to step up and speak the truth to Hispanics and appeal to their instinctive conservative beliefs and values?
Chairman Preibus says that “we are in a much better position today in 2012, than what we were in 2008.” Perhaps this is true, but what have you done lately? 2012 arguably is the most pivotal election in this country’s history. Priebus accurately states that “we have done a terrible job talking about it,” that being Hispanic outreach, considering the fact that we have Marco Rubio, Susana Martinez, Brian Sandoval and Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno that Priebus lists as possible ‘pied pipers’ for the Hispanic cause.
Chairman Priebus lists the things that the RNC is doing to be able to compete and court Hispanic voters but fails to address the real question- what is the message?
The RNC can have as many Hispanic political directors and field staffers as they want, but if they do not have an aggressive and accurate campaign of messaging what Hispanics believe in, then all of that time and money used for Hispanic outreach is wasted effort.
Priebus is right in saying that the GOP has great Hispanic communicators that could stand up and grab hold of the proverbial “mantel”, but who is it going to be? Will it be Senator Marco Rubio who is currently busy promoting his new book, who will step up his efforts towards Hispanic voters and affirmatively change their prevailing impression towards Republicans?
Republicans need to make inroads with Hispanic voters- now- otherwise, the party could face a substantial loss with Hispanics to Obama that could be too much to overcome. The GOP needs to quickly stop the bleeding and find a damage-mitigating message that will resonate among enough Hispanics approach to the 44% support that George W. Bush reached back in 2004.
After 2012, one can only speculate as to what kind of messaging and how sustained the outreach the GOP will finally engage in to reach out to Hispanics. The unfortunate problem for the GOP is that the answer is right in front of their eyes, but they are just too blind to see it.
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16 Responses to “Republicans Must Step Up Efforts With Hispanics”
Screw the Hispanics. If they can’t get on board with the GOP message, so be it. Let them destroy their own lives. The reason we are in the mess now in this country is from politicians pandering to special-interest groups.
I’m not sure what you mean by “GOP message”. My vision of the conservative message is one which offers equal opportunity and aspiration for everyone, regardless of race or origin – it is the quintessential vision of American ethic that has made our country the most successful ever.
Saying “screw” a particular group is a pretty poor way to bring them to appreciate your point of view.
Liberals would love to drive a wedge between conservatives and any demographic that they can – it’s classic divide and conquer. Is that what you are trying to do? Who’s side are you on, anyway?
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How about the RNC’s failure to reach out to Constitutional Conservative AMERICANS??? To continue to address and single out ethnic groups allows for the continuation of racism, IMO. I am an American. And as an American, I speak English. I have assimilated into the American culture, respecting others, working hard, educating myself and others and helping others when and where I can.
Our biggest problem is that we have just let the liberals frame things as “Hispanic” issues. We need to clearly define the issues in their Constitutional, rule of law context – NOT let the emotion of race dominate the discussion.
Immigration, for example is not a race issue – it is clearly a rule of law issue. Pandering to the Hispanic community has very unfair repercussions to those who have paid the price to immigrate legally, a point I made in my recent Letter to the Editor of the Sun-Sentinel. (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/purple/sfl-mike-hathaway-ssue-not-compassion-toward-illegals-but-presidential-duty-20120621,0,2431312.story) We need to make this issue about the true value and importance of citizenship – not about squandering away that value.
Compared to Hispanic countries, we already have a much more lenient immigration policy than they do. We are not responsible for the cultures of corruption, economic disadvantages and class distinctions that make those countries so unbearable – but unfettered immigration will only bring the cancer here. Just look at the problems that our people are facing in the border states – it’s inexcusable!
Hay una diferencia entre la Libertad y el libertenaje! Uno requiere el respeto de los demas, y el otro es sin verguenza.
The majority of hispanics don’t give a rat’s rectum about “conservative values”. All they want are handouts, amnesty and open borders. Sure, we might pick off a few who’ve bucked the underclass mantra by going to school, sacrificing and bettering themselves. The La Raza rabble would call them Tio Toms. But, aside from those few, these losers vote Dem the same way blacks do and keep perpetuating the loser cycle they’re mired in. They see the GOP as the white guys whose lawns they mow and guts they hate. Marco would have never won in NY, TX or CA.
The economy. Jobs. Family values. Respect for human life. Sanctity of marriage. Making America work! Latin surmaned Americans have proven to be some our Americas hardest workers and most clever entrepreneurs. Needs areas are improved vocation education and lower health care costs. Not punitive taxes!
Obama’s legacy is one of hollow promises. But Republicans must get out of their “Ivy League bubble” and respond accordingly. The party leadership needs to shift drastically south. The East is gone for Republicans! When they realize this, they’ll know how to connect with Latin surnamed Americans.
That’s my take!
Some of the negative comments made here (and elsewhere) are exactly why Hispanics shy away from the Republican Party. If we would stop with the hostile rhetoric, many more Hispanic voters would be willing to take a look at the GOP platform. This hostility benefits the Democrats – and every time a liberal reads one of these negative comments I’m sure they are smirking with glee.
Jsvier, Lets begin by agreeing that President “teflon Don” Obama has LIED to the Hispanics. Proven time and time again that the Great and Mighty Oblowso said just exactly what a bunch of shallow, non-thinking Hispanics wanted to hear and they returned with their vote. So three years and hundreds of broken promises later, you act as if there is a choice between Obama and the GOP? Are you a complete moron? Are you so ready to sell-out “your people” that you think there is a choice here?
Obama sold me a bill of goods and I bought his lies, hook, line and sinker. I will NERVER be that stupid again. While I do not fully support the actions of the GOP, I will certainly vote for their candidate as the one I thought would make a difference…..LIED TO ME!! Obama answers to only one person – George Soros and the New World Order. At least with Mitt, I have a chance of being allowed to stay (Illegally) in America. Oblowso pays me lip service and the only thing I have to offer him in 2012 is mmy zipper!
And another thing…..Americans of all backgrounds are AMERICANS. NOT LATION AMERICANS, HISPANIC AMERICANS, ITALIAN AMERICANS………..JUST AMERICANS”
This is not about color of one’s skin (except Obama wants you to thing so – the great white cheating GOP) it is about values. Legal AMERICANS are just that AMERICANS and need no further introduction.
Javier, you wrote: ‘Chairman Preibus says that “we are in a much better position today in 2012, than what we were in 2008.” Perhaps this is true, but what have you done lately?’
Here is what I do not understand. Non-Jews ask me (a Jew) why do so many American Jews support Democrats when 1) clearly the Republican party is more supportive of Israel than Democrats and 2) considering the fact that many Jews are hard working and successful, unlike the Democrats, Republicans do not punish hard work or success? Both good points.
While I do agree with the the second part of the question, I do not entirely agree with the first. The Republican party is every bit as committed as the Democrats to the establishment of a Muslim-enemy state in Israel. George W. Bush made the establishment of a Palestinian Muslim state in Israel a “formal goal of U.S. policy,” early October 2001. Romney made clear by means of the rebuke he administered to Newt Gingrich — in the December 10, 2011 Iowa debate; Gingrich said the Palestinians are terrorists who invented themselves into a phony people in order to destroy Israel — like the Republican party, he supports the Palestinian terrorist’s aspirations. Like the Republican party establishment, Romney supports the jihadists all the while he blows kisses at Israel, just as Bush blew kisses. Romney and the Republicans support giving these peoples a terror state of their own, one which will be dedicated to Israel’s destruction.
So you might ask Javier, why would a pro-Israel Jew (albeit not enthusiastically) vote for Mitt Romney this November? Because of the second part of the question. Because Republicans generally are not about confiscating wealth and property in order to redistribute it to people who did not work for it or earn it; unlike Obama and the Democrats. Romney is not about the destruction of this country as we know it. Unlike Obama he does not hate business or free enterprise or private property.
The Hispanics I have known and worked with over the years are a hard-working, industrious people. They should need little incentive to not vote for those who punish hard work and industry. In light of it your question, ‘what have you done (for me?) lately’, is perplexing.
Ok Javier, so let’s agree that Republicans have done a lousy job in outreach to Hispanics. So you tell us what we need to do is bring a message of things Hispanics want and we need to understand what those things are.
Sadly, no one seems to really KNOW what Hispanics want, unless it is another government handout. And that is totally against ANY Republican Hispanics principles (ask Marco!). So Democrats continue to pander to ALL races and ethnicities in order to “Win them over”. You can’t very well “appeal” unless you out promise the promise makers on the Left.
With that, is that what we REALLY have to do? So what IS the message that appeals OTHER than the same pandering of government goodies?
Heres a hat tip: Lets quit pandering to ANY group of people and talk about what is best for ALL FRIGGING AMERICANS. Screw the this group and that minority group, America is dying and we need real solutions.
I am a 71 year old Hispanic who could not care less about what anyone thinks of me or my ethnic group…just do not attempt me bodily harm.
The Aforementioned is for the losers who voice their ignorance and give confirmation to it.
As to the Republican party and ALL political advisors, I advise to wake up and smell the roses.
Stop politicing with worn out and nonsensical methods.
Believe what you may, but James Carville said it best, when he said,
“IT’s THE ECONOMY STUPID”.
I can’t imagine that Florida Hispanics would vote for a Marxist/ Communist President. endorsed by the Communist Party. If they like socialism/ communism so much then they should go back to Cuba, not change our country. with a President who trashes our Constitution.
It’s people like you that don’t understand that the Hispanics are needed to win the GOP, especially living in South Florida. Wake up and stop being ignorant.