Not sure how you can write an entire article on the importance of the Latino vote and not mention the candidate leading among Latinos even once.
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Oh Yeah? Go vote for Trump then.
"It's affordable housing, stupid." Although that will be almost
impossible to achieve with the destructive power of the
Real Estate industry.
Many Hispanics have become disenchanted with the
outrageous authoritarianism of the Roman Church and have migrated to reformed Mainstream Protestant and Anglican Churches rather than outrageously authoritarian Evangelical Churches.
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Perhaps the trick to appealing to Latino voters is to just appeal to them as human voters.
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Thank you! As a the son of Puerto Rican-Valencian-Gallego parents, I learned early in life that just because you speak Spanish, doesn't mean that you share similar past experiences or political views. The relationships are complex. Puerto Ricans are Americans. Cubans had the "dry foot" policy that allow entry into the US. Mexicans were here before the Anglos. And Central Americans are targets for ICE. Terms like "Hispanics" and "Asians" smack of intellectual laziness. I implore candidates to explore these nuances. Lump us together at your own risk.
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Outside of the United States of America there is no such thing as a Hispanic/Latino.
Having a Spanish cultural and language heritage has nothing to with color aka race or national origin or any combination of those factors. Any more than Anglo aka having an English language and cultural heritage does.
There is only biological DNA genetic evolutionary fit human race species that began in Africa 300, 000 years ago.
What we call race aka color is an evolutionary fit pigmented human pigmented response to varying levels of solar radiation at different altitudes and latitudes primarily related to producing Vitamin D and protecting genes from damaging mutations in ecologically isolated human populations over time and space.
Ted Cruz is as white as Mike Pence.
David Ortiz is blacker than Bob Menendez.
Jose Abreu is more brown than Marco Rubio.
See ' The Race Myth: Why We Pretend That Race Exists In America' Joseph L. Graves; ' Decoding Watson' American Masters PBS
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It’s a bit astonishing that the Democrats don’t understand this—and clearly they don’t. The “woke” party really isn’t. Its failure to view Hispanics with a wide-range vision is, sadly, simply racist. Maybe, however, one or another of the candidates will take this good advice and at least pander intelligently.
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If Latinos aren't motivated to vote against the awfulness of Trump's lies, corruption, and stupidity, then just what will motivate them?
And in general, why do various identity groups fall into the "the Democrats take me for granted" trap, leading them to excuse the non-voting by many members of their group that ultimately harms the group and all of its members?
Maybe people in the many identity groups need to grow up and recognize that voting against Trump is essential to preserving the country, and that they may not get some special prize for doing so.
Doing the right thing should seen as its own reward.
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Democrats, stop pandering, is the message of this article. Good advice.
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This is a very good article, starting with the fact that the authors refer to Latinos, as opposed to using the title “Latinx” that many progressives insist upon imposing on Latinos (a 2019 poll found that only 2 percent of Latinos prefer to use the term Latinx). It shows respect to refer to people how they want to be referred to, and there is no reason that this courtesy shouldn't be given to Latinos.
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In California, a proposition 187 some decades ago, supported by the Repub party was aimed at illegal immigrants and it passed though never implemented. Since then, the large population of Latino voters has wrecked the Repub party in the state in response to that support. Latino voters are likely quite conservative being family oriented and Catholic religious and could be good conservative voters. However, the clear direction of the Repub party in support of white nationalism, insults to Latino immigrants ("they are murderers and rapists") and even a judge of Mexican descent, has been repelling them. How about the Repub failure to send significant hurricane damage aid to Puerto Rico? Following the California historical example, the continuing insults to Latinos by Repub politicians will probably result in heavier than usual Latino voting and many new votes for the Dem candidates. Somehow I don't see how Dems can go wrong when the Repubs are doing all the up front work for them.
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Good points to engage Latinos, however heterogeneous they might be. Just don't take them for granted.
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Two points: 1) It is certainly true that the liberal, people-of-color-obsessed Dems mistakenly assume that Latinos are all progressive. I am in Miami where we know that such is obviously not the case by a longshot, and not just on abortion and gender issues. But 2) most non-Cuban, non-South American Hispanics are working and lower middle class still, and so it is no surprise that the candidate doing best among Hispanics/Latinos (see the NYT Jennifer Medina piece) is Bernie Sanders. If Dems wasn't to win this vote, they need to do class, not culture!
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The greatest number of Latino/as are Mexican-American. and don't live on the east coast, so they are out of sight, out of mind (the same can be said of Indigenous Americans.) But the east coast is the real center of political power in this country. Easterners need to acquaint themselves with the barrios and rural towns of the southwest.
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All the points apply to all minority communities. Indian-Americans like me are completely alienated by the embrace of an anti-Hindu/anti-Indian agenda by prominent Democrats.
Democrats are taking people like me for granted. I voted for Clinton (biting my tongue here), still not voting from Trump but not voting for Democratic nominee either.
Democrats like Ro Khanna and Pramila Jaypal (who are far left Indians) have convinced me that the party I voted for down the line since 1976 is no longer my party. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have taken similar positions.
My parents were migrants from across the Rio Grande to get away from the fighting during the Revolutionary war in Mexico. I was born in San Antonio and raised in Chicago then joined USM C. After being discharged, went to College on the GI Bill.My parents were looking for jobs and of course they worked as field workers.
I have read enough to know that social security, Medicare along with the GI Bill are programs that have helped create a middle class in this country. It is no accident that these programs were passed during Democratic administrations, I.e., FDR, LBJ and BHO (Obamacare). These programs need tweaking, but it's been good start for the majority of Americans.
We have to keep reminding our representatives why it is that we vote democratic and will keep doing so until or unless they refuse to represent our interests. That's what democracy is about.
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I am not sure the tax issue is the answer, everyone got a cut even though business got the biggest break. Do I want to go for Liz and get a tax increase. I don’t care much except what my own cut is. I just don’t get excited about the inequality thing, taking it from someone else doesn’t give me anything.
The GOP's decision to largely abandon national efforts to build Hispanic support has made it the largely secure national Dem constituency it has become since 2008. When the GOP changes that, which it will eventually, Democrats may not have the advantage they enjoy now. As recently as 2004, George W. Bush, who made a significant effort, took over 40% of the Hispanic vote.
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A high percentage of the Latinos that I know have a strong commitment to family, devoting significant time and resources to their children. Most work hard to help their families get ahead. Many are religious. Like most of us, they want to be treated fairly. Many of these values are more aligned with the values of the pre-Trump Republican Party. Democrats appear to mistakenly take the Latino vote for granted. Democrats need to get close to the many Latino communities at the local level. Democrats need to promote Latino candidates that reflect the values of their communities.
3
@David but democrats support many of the policies that help families even pre-trump. If the civil rights focus is anything, it's promoting the most economically-significant and voter-supported idea of making it easier to raise happy healthy families. The policies also recognize that working hard is not enough because basic needs of a four person family out-price many wages. And abortion is a tough sell, but most of my fellow liberals see it as policies that promote preventing pregnancy without infringing a woman's right to choose based on scientific evidence. But yes, there should be many more Latino people promoted by the democratic party to public office. I think this is done okay on the national level, but not well at a state level.
I have a fantasy where one of the Democratic candidates have a "Sister Soulja" moment on identity politics. It would go something like this:
"Look, I'm not going to play identity politics. I don't think it's helping us, or helping the country. I promise to be the best President I can, for all Americans. I'm going to build an administration that is representative of our diverse country, but anyone who's not with me on serving ALL Americans won't have a place in it."
"If the Congress brings me legislation that I believe makes us a stronger nation, more in keeping with our deepest values of liberty and equality of all people under the law, then I will sign it. If the Congress brings me legislation that pits Americans against each other, and tries to find political profit in sowing division, I will veto it."
"I am running to be the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, the Chief Executive of the US Federal Government, and the representative of our country's values and interests to the world. I am not running to advance a particular piece of legislation, or advance the interests of a slice of the country at the expense of everyone else."
I'll be tuning in to tonight's debate, hoping to hear some version of this. This statement of purpose, coupled with corresponding action, will win over Americans, and that's all that matters.
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It's not just the Latinos. Immigrants in general are never monolithic. Immigrants often come from overwhelmingly conservative countries, and will side with Republicans on just about every cultural issue. Because of the rapid exit of the UK and France from their former colonies, many immigrants were also running from communist takeovers in their respective homelands, and US foreign policy just made extremists out of those who remained. What we have is a block of older immigrant voters that is absolutely terrified of what rapid (leftward) change could mean, as they only want stability and the ability to ascend economically. Meanwhile, their kids, covering a huge spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds and without the memory of the Cold War in the back of their minds, are willing to give socialism another try for a better society.
4
Latinos are like any other Americans. They want a fair, moderate, progressive President that treats all races, genders, creeds equally.
Don't complicate it.
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@Paul I'm sure that most Latinos that came here legally support the president even though many don't likes his 'rapists, etc' comments. Even the DACA problem could be solved easily with the President approval but the Democrats don't want to give the President a 'win' so they're not going along with it.
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The Democrats desire to pander in the way that these men suggest is part of the problem. Pandering in the focus group way does not show integrity. It does not show respect. It doesn't show inclusion.
Trump lies all the time. But his side oddly trusts him. Because he panders to those who support his bigotries and have a deep distrust of Democratic pandering which is "I hear your pain, let me explain it to you" then they watch as they do nothing but support rich white people because nothing else is else is "politically viable." The positions of Trump, his party, and those that vote for him, however reprehensible, are in tune with one another. We make our case, we don't abandon it.
The male authors might be willing to bargain away a Woman's right to choose.Because like a balanced budget to Republicans, they just don't care. Because choice to those people isn't a policy, it is a tool for support. And yes, that is what men like them in the Democratic Party have done for the last thirty years. This has resulted in worse health outcomes for women, and that is now virtually impossible to get an abortion in much of the nation.
If that is the path they want to get Catholic hispanic votes, then they won't have mine. I am done sacrificing women for power. That is equivalent to the southern strategy of Republicans and is morally reprehensible.
We have to be honest about what we stand for. The right for a woman to choose included. We have to make that argument honestly, but firmly.
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The southwest and California has always been populated by citizens who trace their roots to this area before it became the US. To assume that they are somehow immigrants from Latin America demonstrates ignorance and is insulting to these citizens. The writer is guilty of stereotyping people.
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@Pepperman
Amen. A rare moment of deeper understanding.
Abortion is not a legitimate concern and really the only reason people keep voting for Republicans.
1
I generally agree. having grown up in NYC around Puerto Ricans (i'm Black), I know that the interests of my friends' parents differed from what I read about is of import to Cuban Americans.
Regarding abortion. Tough issue -- obviously. What democrats and everyone else need to do somehow is explain how voting for pure anti-abortionists isn't voting pro-life, it's voting pro-birth. The elected officials who espouse no abortion generally, nearly universally, are opposed to civil rights and economic rights. they favor corporations and police who don't serve or protect.
There are catholic and evangelical voters who will never vote for a candidate who thinks the government should stay out of a woman's womb, since they consider what's growing in there to be a baby. Fine. I'm conflicted myself. But if a candidate basically says "you're pregnant, go it alone, you got yourself into this mess." then I will never vote for that candidate. I don't see how it's pro-life at all -- the life of the woman especially. Consistency is what is lacking in the anti-abortion movement, except consistency against really helping people.
4
I could barely get beyond the condescending headline: condescending to Democrats and "Latin" voters both. Do tell everyone.
But once I got past that, the article was solid in the reminder that there is no monolith of "Latin" voters, but rather, immense variety - and considerable rivalry.
The choices individuals make will be largely dependent on where they live, and the challenges they are facing. Housing and healthcare are important -- and that is something shared by many voters, regardless of background.
What unites them is most likely the determination to get ahead, and political leaders who offer the best route to the future for their families, focusing highly on education and work opportunities, will find support. Inclusion in the political process is another part of " wooing" newer Americans. What do immigrant parents want?: better lives for their children.
1
In my experience, Latinos are go-ahead, independent minded, churchgoing, family oriented hard workers. To my way of thinking that makes them natural Republicans, not Democrats.
9
Latino Americans want the same things everybody else wants - good schools for their children, affordable healthcare and good paying jobs so they can support their families.
I am a 61 year old Asian American living in the liberal Bay Area, and I too find open borders and unlimited rights to abortions abhorrent. Sometimes, I feel that white elites (such as Elizabeth Warren) use us minorities to cram their extremist positions down everyone’s throats, and assert that somehow we are racists or misogynists when we object to their positions.
We need to defeat Donald Trump, and the extreme left is not helping.
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@Amy Make a list. Who has the most harmful policies for everyone? I'm sure that Donald trump would. Don't let one issue define your vote. It did for many people and look what it got us.
5
@Amy
Warren is the enemy of middle America, of those who want peace, prosperity and freedom of choice.
Her my way or the highway is exactly why so many immigrants left their dictatorial lands for freedom.
Her shrill, strident insistence that if we do not sign on to her pie in the sky leftist agenda we are an enemy of the people.
She is falling in the polls and will be only remembered by historians as yet another example of extremist attempts to hijack government.
2
"While Democrats can hardly be expected to turn their backs on the choice issue"; that's correct, and there aren't any votes to be gained by fudging the issue. Instead, tell the truth: restrictions on abortions are a tool to oppress women. Hold up El Salvador as a bad example.
5
All the Democratic Party needs to do to win the Latino vote is not morph into a clone of the Republican Party.
While the Dems have done precious little for Latinos, the Republicans have either studiously ignored them or cast themselves as a party inimical to Latino interests. At least the Dems pretend to like and care about us. Pathetic, but true.
If I think about that too much I'm tempted to stay home election day. Then I remember Trump still lurks among us.
Generations of Mexican-Americans and non-Cuban Latinos have mechanically gone with the Dems.
John F. Kennedy won 85 percent of the Mexican-American vote, a crucial factor in an election he came close to losing.
Since then, Latinos have been the second most reliable ethnic voting bloc for the Democratic Party. African-Americans are the most solid bloc.
Cubans who despised the Cuban Revolution enough to resettle in the U.S. have been the only Latinos to cast their lot with the Republicans, solely because it is the party that most intensely hates the Cuban government. They were a potent voting bloc in south Florida.
But as these immigrants die off and non-Cuban Latinos, such Puerto Ricans, move to Florida, Republicans can't look for much Latino support at the polls.
11
Why do Latino voters (or any voters, for that matter) need to be spoon-fed language highlighting their
pet issues, lest they sit at home pouting on voting day? Can they not see who is sending ICE out to terrorize their neighborhoods? Can they not see who is manipulating the tax code to strip public education of its funding? Can they not see who is doing everything they can to sabotage the Affordable Care Act? Can they not see who is providing a platform and support for white nationalism and racial hatred? Can they not see who consistently works to thwart policing reform in communities where policing has clearly been infected by that racism? Can they not see that every single pointless war since Vietnam has been started by Republicans who profit from these pointless wars?
I think this article undersells the intelligence and awareness of Latino Americans. Unless the abortion issue is so singly potent, that it cancels out all of the priorities listed above.
If that’s the case, then God help us all...
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@Wild Ox,
So, are you saying that unless we, the American people allow unrestricted immigration for anyone who happens to speak Spanish, in order to swell the Latino population, Latinos will pout.
That's what I thought.
Indeed from the article, the values specified there are core Democrat values: Education, comprehensive global health care insurance, economic stability spawned by responsible government programs and progressive tax plan, good neighbor international relationships, and strong defense, and responsible environmental policies, etc.
Focus on those and definitely stress the benefits of these to all.
5
Sanders, who is not my preference, seems to have a large lead in the polls among Latinx and has 80 Latinx staffers among 400 in his campaign. He does seem to connect. I am hoping my preference, Elizabeth Warren, if she is nominated as the D. candidate, runs with a Latinx VP - I think Castro's a good fit.
@rwgat I'm not Latinx. That word is an awkward attempt at forcing the way English is spoken, into the Spanish language. For a lot of of us it refers to only the LGBTQ community - which I love, but am not a part of. The generalized term referring to the Latino/Latina community already exists in Spanish. There is no need to invent something else.
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Democrats need all votes to win elections, white votes and votes from "people of color". Identity politics is probably a negative for the Democrats in winning the maximum number of total votes. Democrats need to present themselves as representing all American voters and not just one or two or three ethnic groups. Essentially the exit polls indicate that Hillary lost the electoral college and Trump was elected president, precisely because Hillary failed to carry even her own identity group - white female voters. This should be a lesson for the Democrats re identity politics. Go for the total votes and represent all Americans.
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It seems contradictory to emphasize that Latinos are not homogeneous in priorities and beliefs as the introduction to a list of specific policy positions Democrats should take to win the Latino vote.
That said, I am a bit out of patience with any group demanding Democrats adopt specific positions in order to attract their group's votes. How about Democrats continue to push for our core values in policies for equal opportunities and access to quality education, health care, personal freedom, humane immigration, fiscal responsibility, strong diplomacy paired with a professional military? How about voters decide to vote for candidates and the party that matches their personal beliefs closely, and not look for the perfect candidate? The search for perfect will re-elect Trump and the GOP that enables him.
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I'm not Hispanic, but I've lived most of my life in New Mexico and California and have certainly known many Latinos. They are not a monolithic block as portrayed by the media. Many Latinos are very pro-capitalism and pro-business and entrepreneurship. Many are very religious and anti-abortion. People don't realize that many are descended from people who have lived in the southwest since before the US took over, so are not immigrants. So many that I personally know have views aligned with Trump on the southern border.
The Latino vote is nothing like the black vote, and isn't necessarily "liberal". In fact, if Republicans were smart they could actually get a large fraction of the Latino vote. I guess fortunately for the Democrat party, the Republicans are completely inept at taking advantage of the situation. But the general theme of the column is 100% correct.
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I believe Latino turnout will b critical to turning Texas blue. Democrats would be well served to understand their communities nuances and priorities.
11
And yet, Republicans can refer to them as invaders and animals and Latinos STILL vote for them. It's so unfair.
I am a Hispanic, born and raised in these United States. I despise racism and inequality. I do not want to be made to feel like a second-class citizen. I also hate that Hispanics feel a need to make other Hispanics (LatinX), our brethren, really, to feel less than. I, for one, feel like every human being is my brother and sister, regardless of “race” or ethnicity. As far as an approach to appeal to all the different variations of Hispanics, start here. We all want to be respected and heard.
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@Angel Just say Hispanics or Latinos. I'm not Latinx, and most of us don't think of ourselves that way.
1