With his usual air of rational certainty, KOA talk-show host Mike Rosen told Secretary of State Scott Gessler Monday that the ASSET bill, which would give undocumented high-school graduates a lower in-state tuition rate for college, is "transparently part of a strategy to court Latino voters."
"Yeah," Gessler responded. "I think one of the challenges the Democrats have is Latino voters, in my experience and sense is that, I mean, they're fundamentally conservative folks. I mean, they're oftentimes very socially conservative. They're people who put their heads down and work hard and aren't looking for government handouts. And the Democrats' stock and trade is government handouts. So they sort of have to rile 'em up as a way to try and get their votes."
Rile 'em up? As if the Hispanics are like children who should be winding down before bedtime?
Yes, Hispanics are upset, and rightly so.
As Gessler should know, with all his knowledge of Latino voters, it's the GOP that's doing the riling. There'd be no issue here if Republicans took the advice of conservative Denver Post columnist Vincent Carroll and supported the ASSET bill. Then the GOP and Dems would be doing the right thing together for undocumented, mostly Hispanic, children.
If effective governments counts as courting, then I'd love to see the Democrats and Republicans do more of it.
But did Rosen even gently question Gessler's condescending and irrational comments, like he might have if a first-time caller was on the line? No.
So I called Ricardo Martinez, Co-Director of Padres y Jovenes Unidos, for his perspective on Gessler's comments.
"ASSET has passed in thirteen other states," Martinez told me. "Among them are Texas, Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma, which are all Republican-controlled. They saw it as an economic benefit. They didn't let ideology stand in the way of common sense."
So, I guess Gessler would say that it's the GOP in Texas that's riling up Hispanic voters?
Martinez also pointed out that the ASSET bill doesn't provide any free benefits, so Gessler's statement about handouts is irrelevant.
"They would be paying the standard tuition," he said, adding that no tax dollars would support the tuition of undocumented students. "This is not a hand-out."
Rosen and Gessler also discussed the Colorado Democratic Chair Rick Palacio's suggestion that Gessler resign or be removed from office.
Rosen read Gessler a portion of an article from the March 30 Denver Post by Sara Burnett, quoting University of Colorado Professor Ken Bickers' view that Democrats are calling on Gessler to step down to appeal to Latino voters who are critical to the re-election of President Obama.
Rosen read from the Post:
Bickers speculated Democrats may have an ulterior motive [in calling on Gessler to resign or removed from office]: creating "a storyline" to appeal to a particular group of voters. Most likely that's Latinos, who are among those voters Democrats say will be disproportionately affected by Gessler's efforts, and a voting bloc that will be key to President Barack Obama winning re-election this fall.
"To me it's a sign that they think they have a weakness in the presidential election," Bickers said.
Gessler responded, "Well, it's good that we've got some good professors at the University of Colorado because every now and then they nail it. And I think that's absolutely correct as to what's going on."
So, not only are Democrats are riling up Hispanics, but they're creating a story line, with Gessler as a main character, in a cynical ploy to get votes?
I wish Rosen had asked Gessler if he thinks undocumented high-school graduates, who can't go to college because Republicans like Gessler are blocking them, see the ASSET bill that way, as an empty story line or a useless riler-upper.
Or do they see it as real? As a chance to work hard and get ahead?
If Rosen had asked questions like those, maybe more Hispanics and others who believe in all-American opportunity would get riled up.
But that wouldn't be good for Rosen or Gessler, would it?
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.