Obama's Big Hispanic Voter Win In Presidential Election Worries Republicans

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER -- Omayra Vasquez blinks and does a double take when asked why she voted for President Barack Obama. The reason for her was as natural as breathing.

"I feel closer to him," said Vasquez, a 43-year-old Federal Express worker from Denver. "He cares about the Spanish people."

Millions of Hispanic voters seconded that emotion Tuesday with resounding 71 percent support for Obama, tightening Democrats' grip on the White House and putting Republicans on notice that they must seriously court the nation's largest minority group if they want to win the presidency again.

According to initial exit polls, Republican candidate Mitt Romney, who backed hard-line immigration measures, came away with 27 percent Hispanic support, less than any presidential candidate in 16 years and a sharp drop from the 44 percent claimed by President George W. Bush in 2004 after he embraced immigration reform.

"We could have won this election if the party had a better brand name with Hispanics," said Al Cardenas, chairman of the American Conservative Union. "I don't believe there's a path to the White House in the future that doesn't include 38 percent-40 percent Hispanic support."

Cardenas said Hispanics were only a large part of a worrisome trend in the electorate, which is increasingly comprised of younger and minority voters who traditionally do not back Republicans. If the 1980 electorate looked like the 2012 version, he added, Jimmy Carter would have defeated Ronald Reagan.

Matt Schlapp, who was political director of George W. Bush's 2000 campaign, drew parallels between the GOP's standing with Hispanics and the party's troubles with African-Americans, who now routinely back Democrats by 9-1 margins. "The idea that we would somehow copy that with the Hispanic community is troubling," he said.

Hispanics have long favored Democrats. But they have been trending even more sharply toward that party since Republicans stymied Bush's immigration proposal and favored hard-line immigration measures that critics decried as racially motivated.

Romney tapped an author of Arizona's controversial immigration law to advise him during the GOP primaries and called for "self-deportation" to lower the number of undocumented immigrants. Obama, meanwhile, announced in June that immigration authorities would grant work permits to undocumented people brought here as children who graduated high school or served in the military. The directive energized a Hispanic electorate that had been disappointed by Obama's inability to pass immigration reforms.

A survey of Hispanic voters by the firm Latino Decisions found that Hispanics gave Obama his winning margin in Colorado, Florida and Nevada, swing states where they turned out in unusually high numbers. Even before the races were called, some Republicans took to the airwaves and social media calling for the party to back off its hard-line stance and embrace certain immigration reforms.

It's unclear whether the results would change the party's opposition to legalizing some undocumented immigrants. In a conversation with the Des Moines Register last month, Obama predicted that GOP opposition could crumble after Hispanics delivered the White House to him. The conversation was initially off the record but later published with the president's consent.

"And since this is off the record, I will just be very blunt," Obama said. "Should I win a second term, a big reason I will win a second term is because the Republican nominee and the Republican Party have so alienated the fastest-growing demographic group in the country, the Latino community."

On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid vowed to introduce an immigration reform package next year, saying Republicans would reject it "at their peril."

Opponents of an immigration deal warned that Republicans should not take the Democrats' bait. Steve Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies noted that Hispanics have reliably backed Democrats for decades, even after President Ronald Reagan signed an immigration amnesty in 1986 that gave many of them legal status. Those new American citizens, Camarota said, turned into Democrats.

Camarota and other supporters of immigration restrictions contend that Hispanics lean Democratic because they favor government social programs and higher taxes on the wealthy. "They changed the national electorate and now they have to move with the electorate," Camarota said of the GOP. "For 30 years that we have data, Hispanics have been voting Democratic. There's no reason to think that's going to change unless the Republican Party moves away from its low-tax, low-regulation position."

NumbersUSA President Roy Beck, whose group advocates reductions in immigration levels, argues that Republicans like Romney need to explain to Hispanic voters why immigration restrictions are in their interest. His group advocates reductions in immigration levels. "He should have talked about Hispanic unemployment and how much high immigration hurts Hispanic employment."

Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., an immigration hawk, agreed and said economic issues, not immigration, are key to winning Hispanics. "You should never sacrifice your core beliefs for political reasons," he said.

The debate is nothing new for the GOP.

Mario H. Lopez, president of the conservative Hispanic Leadership Fund, said he's heard arguments like that before – after every election in which Hispanics lean more Democratic and Republicans suffer. "The clock has been ticking," Lopez said. "Some of us have been talking about it for years. It's up to them if they want to listen or have more nights like Tuesday night."

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• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama points at supporters as First Lady Michelle Obama gives the thumbs-up, flanked by Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden following Obama's speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• Barack Obama, Joe Biden

  Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama wave to their supporters at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

• Barack Obama

  President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden acknowledge the crowd at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

• Barack Obama

  President Barack Obama waves to his supporters after his speech at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. At right is Vice President Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

• Michelle Obama, Barack Obama

  First lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama acknowledge their supporters at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

• Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Jill Biden

  First lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden acknowledge supporters at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

• Barack Obama

  President Barack Obama speaks at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

• Michelle Obama, Barack Obama

  First lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama acknowledge their supporters at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

• Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Jill Biden

  First lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden acknowledge supporters at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

• Barack Obama, Joe Biden

  President Barack Obama flashes a thumbs up as he leaves the stage with Vice President Joe Biden at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

• Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, Malia Obama

  President Barack Obama, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha arrive at the election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

• Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, Jill Biden

  President Barack Obama celebrates with his wife Michelle, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

• Barack Obama

  President Barack Obama addresses supporters at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

• Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, Malia Obama

  President Barack Obama waves as he walks on stage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

• Barack Obama

  President Barack Obama speaks at the election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

• Barack Obama, Joe Biden

  Vice President Joe Biden, right, talks to President Barack Obama at their election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

• Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, Malia Obama

  President Barack Obama, accompanied by first last Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha arrive at the election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

• President Barack Obama and wife Michelle is holds hands with Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill following Obama's victory speech to supporters in Chicago early Wednesday, Nov. 7 2012. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

• Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Jill Biden Joe Biden

  President Barack Obama with first last Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden celebrate on stage at the election night party at McCormick Place, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

• Barack Obama, Joe Biden

  President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden celebrate on stage at the election night party at McCormick Place, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

• Barack Obama

  Jill Biden watches as Vice President Joe Biden is hugged by first lady Michelle Obama at President Barack Obama's election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

• President Barack Obama smiles after delivering his victory speech to supporters gathered in Chicago early Wednesday Nov. 7 2012. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama accompanied by daughter Malia, First Lady Michelle and daughter Sasha waves to supporters as he arrives on stage on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama claps as he arrives on stage to deliver his acceptance speech on November 7, 2012 in Chicago. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US First Lady Michelle Obama hugs US President Barack Obama as they celebrate on election night November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama won re-election to a second 4-year term. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  (L-R) US First Lady Michelle Obama, US President Barack Obama, US Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden celebrate on election night November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama and Biden won re-election to a second 4-year term. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama (2nd L), First Lady Michelle Obama (L), Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden wave to supporters following Obama's speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden celebrate on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to a emphatic re-election win over Mitt Romney, forging new history by transcending a dragging economy and the stifling unemployment which haunted his first term. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama (2nd L), First Lady Michelle Obama (L), Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden wave to supporters following Obama's speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama hugs his daughters Sasha (L) and Malia (R) on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle and daughters Sasha (L) and Malia (R) wave to supporters on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden celebrate winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  (From L-R) First Lady Michelle, US President Barack Obama,Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden acknowledge supporters following Obama's victory speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle celebrate winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden celebrate winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  (From L-R) First Lady Michelle, US President Barack Obama,Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden acknowledge supporters following Obama's victory speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama celebrates on stage with his daughters Sasha (2nd L) and Malia (R) and his wife Michelle in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama celebrates on stage with his wife Michelle after delivering his victory speech ion Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama, flanked by First Lady Michelle Obama, points to his partner Vice-President Joe Biden, followed by Second Lady Jill Biden following his victory speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama celebrates on stage with his wife Michelle after delivering his victory speech ion Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama celebrates with his daughters Sasha (2nd L) and Malia (R) and US First Lady Michelle Obama in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  Confetti rains on the stage as US President Barack Obama celebrates his victory in the presidential election in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  (From L-R) First Lady Michelle, US President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden acknowledge supporters following Obama's victory speech in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama celebrates with First Lady Michelle Obama on stage on election night in Chicago on November 6, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama celebrates with his daughters Sasha (R) and Malia (2nd-L) and US First Lady Michelle Obama in Chicago on November 6, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  (From L-R) US President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden, Second Lady Jill Biden and First Lady Michelle acknowledge supporters on election night in Chicago on November 6, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle and daughters Sasha (L) and Malia (R) wave to supporters on election night in Chicago on November 6, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama and family arrive on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election in Chicago November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama gives a thumbs-up after winning the 2012 US presidential election in Chicago November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama (C) applauds at supporters on election night in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

• US-VOTE-2012-ELECTION-OBAMA

  US President Barack Obama (C) celebrates with vice president Joe Biden and his family members along with the First Family members on election night in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Comments

[1differentdrummer]

11:02 AM on 11/11/2012

People woke up!

[Theoray]

09:12 PM on 11/10/2012

To the 1 % Latinos are slave labor but forgot they can vote

[Lupin77]

02:49 PM on 11/10/2012

Actually the prez should have gotten more like 100 percent Latino vote given how repubs don't consider them part of traditional America.

[eilish]

11:39 AM on 11/10/2012

All the rich white businessmen that bussed illegals over the border for cheap labor are now screaming about the burden to society. THEY created the mess that is illegal immigration in AZ and they were the first to point the finger at the state government and demand that it be cleaned up.

Republicans are openly racist, they shout immigration reform as one of their major platforms - and they wonder that Hispanics are repelled?

[migsly]

12:52 AM on 11/10/2012

Poor Canada. Once Hispanics become the majority in America, America will become like Mexico is now. Then Hispanics will have to have someplace to flee too.

[John Oester]

10:56 AM on 11/09/2012

If one assumes Cuban voting in the 70/80's as an upper limit on the inroads Republicans can make with Hispanics, then the absolute limit they can ever hope for is high 60's support. That would be with the following: A common uniting external foe (Castro), the sense of an active betrayal by the Dems (lack of air support for Bay of Pigs), and a demographic drawn from the upper and middle classes more naturally sympathetic to Republican beliefs and values, and then essentially full on pandering/veto policy of all policies Cuban for the 20-30 years preceding. None of those apply to other Hispanic Immigrants but if it did, it would have increased Romney's share by ~0.3% and Obama down by 0.3%, or a 0.6% swing. In comparison,increasing white turnout by 1% (or depressing with Affirmative action/amnesty sops that dispirit some fraction of whites electorate) would have added or removed 0.72% (72% electorate times 0.01). Even better, actively drawing over an additional 1% of white voters from Obama would have yielded a 1.44% swing. Even if the percentage of the Hispanic voter turnout doubles in the next 20 years from 10 to 20 percent, the magnitude is not that much changed, not that Republicans should hasten it along by granting a path to citizenship for a currently democratic demographic.

[TejanaYo]

08:37 AM on 11/09/2012

The Sleeping Giant is just barely waking up, America. We are starting to vote and vote with our hearts, not with our money, which most of us have to earn by working 2 or 3 jobs. While we are not monolithic, I believe that most Hispanics' first concern is for their children and for their loved ones. We are as a general rule, hard working, loyal, passionate, religious, and loving. Take time, America, to get to know us not as a voting bloc, but as real people. We have a lot to offer, to make this a better country. There are some undesirables, yes, but what culture does not have them? We are not voting for meaningless tirades; we are voting for a better America. Please, get to know us better.

[eilish]

12:02 PM on 11/10/2012

A year ago I moved from AZ to a small Colorado town with a majority Hispanic population. In AZ I was disgusted with the politics, but I lived in a very isolated area that was primarily white. The first week in my new home my Hispanic neighbors sent their sons to shovel snow - from my driveway & walks - and the entire sidewalk for a block. They were horrified when I paid their sons, but I said I worry that teens don't have job opportunities to earn money like my sons had.

Then summer hit and we had the lawn thing. The boys' father told me we shouldn't pay them, that we are to help one another as neighbors. I replied that we also need to help THEM when necessary, and giving their sons employment from time to time encouraged their work ethics. He just laughed and shook his head.

Yesterday they cleaned my roof and gutters of leaves and dirt. We are only 59 and they treat us as though we are venerable elders. My husband works 12 hour days in the natural gas industry, so they worry about him.

I've had nothing but friendliness and acceptance from our Hispanic population here; I do not understand what the big deal is. I used to be Mormon but have been attending the Catholic church here and I love it, I love the Hispanic congregation who are devout and they seem so happy!

[TejanaYo]

12:36 PM on 11/10/2012

Eilish, I wish there was a way for me to  give you a hug.  I guess this cyber hug will have to do.  The important thing to remember is that there are tons of people out there like yourself who are open to at least finding out for themselves what all the fuss is about.  All of us us are people who care about this country and I am talking race, culture, ethnicity, values and so on.  I always carry in my head a picture of  Rodney King when he plaintively asked, "Can't we all get along?"  This great country will come together again when people stop living in fear and start getting to know each other.

[kiran1207]

07:41 AM on 11/09/2012

um it's easy republicans stop being racists, that's the big secret.

[Bogstomper2]

02:15 AM on 11/09/2012

Cardenas: ""We could have won this election if the party had a better brand name with Hispanics."

This is a problem with the GOP. The big business influence is so strong that the GOP sees itself as little more than a marketing effort. You can't build a "brand name" in politics unless you have some real principles to offer.

Right now, the Republican principles seem to include insulting everyone who didn't vote your way. You can't rebrand that kind of nonsense. You have to stop the nonsense.

That's the best advice the GOP will get all year. Stop the nonsense, and the brand will take care of itself.

[Langston Hughes]

10:08 PM on 11/08/2012

Here's a question to Republicans. Why didn't you speak out when members of your party were comparing Latino immigrants to farm animals, or talking about electrified fences on the border, or demonizing Spanish speakers, or dumping on people coming from Latin America to this country to make a better life for themselves, but being trashed as if they were moochers and criminals, when corporations, Wall Street and banks, and military contractors are robbing this country blind, getting bailouts and special deals from the GOP, yet unlike the auto industry not trying to build this country up? You could speak out but you refused to. Why? Why is racism and ethnocentrism such a motivating factor for so many in your party? Why don't you tell the Rush Limbaughs and Steve Kings and Donald Trumps and Newt Gingriches and Rick Santorums to go stuff it? They don't make this country better, and they are driving all decent people away from you. Please, turn things around or you will keep losing!

[MikeElPaso]

10:44 PM on 11/08/2012

Excellent post LH

[Phaedrah Ellison]

10:04 PM on 11/08/2012

When you spend your time telling people if you are poor or black you're a moocher; if you are Hispanic, show us your papers; if you are an overachieving student at an ivy league or liberal college, you've been indoctrinated by a vast communist conspiracy; If you are gay or lesbian you have no right to marry the person you love, or raise children; if you are raped and become pregnant, that's what God intended, besides, "some women are easy to rape." If you are on birth control you're a wh*ore; If you aren't rich, white or a Republican, then you aren't part of "Real America." Where only rich people get the best health care, and corporations are people; You can't obstruct at every turn then expect to be re-elected.
Most American's will never fully understand the details of how our economy works and what went so wrong but on average we can spot a charlatan. Sometimes it takes a while but eventually the truth is revealed. It's not often we get to see the effects of truth slamming into the king of charlatans like we witnessed on Fox News election coverage with Karl Rove desperately trying to change the outcome in Ohio just by sheer will of force and lies. Sorry Karl, the reality of the real "Real America" is diversity and if you exclude any portion of us, you will be excluded from power. It's as simple and as complicated as that.

[JohnDonohue]

06:51 PM on 11/08/2012

The power of the Hispanic vote is being blown up far out of importance. Obama was NOT elected by Hispanics; he was elected by whites and blacks. Here is the breakout of Obama's popular vote, per exit polls:

White 57%
Black 24%
Hispanic 14%
Asian 4%

[ScaredAcademic]

01:18 AM on 11/09/2012

Latino voters are far from uniformly distributed throughout the US states. The ``evidence'' that you cite does not actually require or imply what you think it does.

[JohnDonohue]

01:51 AM on 11/09/2012

Your reply was not very incisive. What do you mean by the first sentence?

Also, I don't claim the facts "require or imply" anything; they are just the facts. I got them from the Pew Hispanic poll and other exit polls.

[ernestvalerius]

05:25 PM on 11/08/2012

Having written off the black vote and mixed-race vote, Republicans are concentrating on the Hispanic vote.

[totallyclips]

04:40 PM on 11/08/2012

it's just amazing the delusional behavior of the right, re everything

[evefontenot]

04:36 PM on 11/08/2012

The Republicans ran some horrible campaigns, aligning themselves, and fueling the animalistic natures of the American people. But many of them STILL WON. The still control the House. That goes to show you that no matter how nasty and disingenuous they are, a lot of Americans share their views. Now....the next set of elections is just around the corner. Are we going to turn out en masse again and let our voices be heard, or are we going to sit back and think our job is done. In case you haven't thought about it yet, let me remind you that that is how they took the House in the first place. We were complacent, we didn't get out the vote. If you want a more moderate government, you had better be as vocal and as active as you were in re-electing our president. Republicans WILL NOT change their views, OR their tactics.. The only way they hear us is by our vote and by our voices. Let your voices be heard, even now. I have over 100 people sending a letter to speaker Boehner to work with this president on the fiscal cliff. Will you be one of them?

http://www.speaker.gov/contact/