Republicans Continue to Ignore People of Color

Univisión hosts the next Democratic presidential debate on Sunday, September 9 in Miami, but do not expect any live coverage from inside the debate from bloggers. Both sides -- Univisión and bloggers -- failed to do the necessary outreach to make it happen.

This is a real missed opportunity to build bridges between the Spanish-language media and los blogueros, especially for such a historic political event as a Spanish-language presidential debate. Spanish-speaking bloggers could have provided a real service with a unique perspective on a debate for non-Spanish-speaking blog readers and writers. Sadly, it appears neither side -- the media or Spanish-speaking bloggers -- had the foresight.

Beyond failures of both sides to reach out, the Latino community should take note of the starkly different approaches by the two major political parties and Spanish-language debates.

Democrats should be lauded for their efforts to reach out to the Latino community on this front. Contrast that with the fact that only Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) agreed to come to a Republican debate held by Univisión, causing the network to cancel it for a lack of interest. I applaud McCain for that. (And really, what does he have to lose? His campaign is virtually over.)

Something should be said, however, for the Republicans' refusal to show up at a Spanish-language debate. The candidates know that the nativist base would be up in arms if they actually went through with it. Remember last baseball season when right-wing conservative blogger, Michelle Malkin, went nuts because the Texas Rangers wore jerseys in Spanish? (And it was not just her, either.)

Yeah, it would be worse than that.

It is obvious that The Republican Party's base has moved so far to the right on immigration, Latino issues, and race-related issues, in general, that the candidates cannot be bothered for a few hours of their time to spend. For all their talk about the GOP's "big tent," Republicans conspicuously spend so little time on black, Latino, Asian, etc., issues unless to demonize them as red meat for the base.

This primary season, the Republican candidates have routinely ignored persons of color.

They'll Talk To Anyone... Just Not Hispanics, African Americans, Teachers or Young People

Only One Republican Candidate to Address NAACP. The NAACP is holding its annual convention Thursday morning in Detroit. Though all Republican candidates were invited over two months ago, only Tancredo might attend. Giuliani, Romney, McCain and Huckabee all cited scheduling conflicts. Giuliani will be in Michigan that day, and Romney has no public events scheduled. All eight Democratic presidential candidates have accepted invitations to speak. [Detroit Free Press, 7/10/07]

Only One Republican Addressed NALEO. "The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials invited all Republican presidential hopefuls to its annual convention at Disney World at Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Only one showed up -- Rep. Duncan Hunter, of California.... On Saturday, seven Democratic presidential candidates were slated to attend a forum at the NALEO conference, including Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Barack Obama of Illinois, Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, Joseph Biden of Delaware, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio." [Austin American-Statesman blog, 6/29/07][links added]

Comments

[writergal8]

Have you thought that maybe the GOP feels that everyone should be treated equally? Or maybe that not all non-whites are poor/disadvantaged (why do the media feel this way? It's annoying and racist, IMHO)? The media love to ASSUME, IMHO, and we all know what ASSUMING leads to!

[Matt Ortega - Huffpost Blogger]

You had me at, well, you didn't.

I don't see how my post aligns non-whites with poor/disadvantaged.

[Robert59]

Your article states a fact, but doesn't explore why. By and large when you talk about people of color you are referring to Hispanics and African Americans. Across the board (and there are exceptions i.e., the Cuban community) neither group votes. All told, 40 percent of Americans who can vote don't.

Republicans also don't pay much attention to young people because while they talk a good game, they don't play a good game (meaning vote).

The people who vote are white and 35 and up in age. So, just as the country is becoming more diverse we haven't seen a corresponding increase in voter participation.

And since Republicans emulate big business they tend to favor short term profits at the expense of long term. For the next 30 to 40 years white voters and their priorities will dictate American politics. After that who cares? They'll be dead, the money is in the bank, and it will be someone else's problem to save the Republican party.

[Qbear]

They didn't go to an LGBT debate either...quelle suprise.

Maybe Fred Thompson's Black queer Communications Director Traynham...is a token gesture to both communities.

[Robert59]

Qbear,

They don't have to pander to the LGBT community. Even though Republicans villainize the LGBT community do you see a mass exodus of LGBT individuals from the Republican party? NO!

You must have a very twisted sense of self to be a Republican and a LGBT.

[Boobaloo]

oh yes ... and they're not ignoring them at the border. Those people are definitely not being ignored by republicans.

[Boobaloo]

Well, in all fairness they're not ignoring them at airports, at Gitmo, in Afghanistan, Iraq and Abu Graib, nor under the all-white tree in Lousianna. Those people of color are getting ALL of the republican attention.

[tcagle]

They likewis ignore persons of sentience, ethics, couth....

[tcagle]

likewise

[drblack]

Remove the words "Of Color" and you are right on.
They ignore all but the richest and the most religiously extreme. Those they use and discard as needed.
Hillary is no different though and all politicians must be watched like the poisonous creatures they are.

[CLR]

It has nothing to do with color but everything to do with language. This is America- we speak English. Spanish isn't our language and it wouldn't be right to single out Spanish speakers. There are many other language spoken in the US; however English is and should always be our language.

[Matt Ortega - Huffpost Blogger]

I fail to see how skipping out on forums or debates with the National Association for the Advancement Colored People (NAACP), the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) or the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) has anything to do with language.

There are many issues that disproportionately affect the communities of color that we would like to hear their views on.

[Hastings]

The NAACP has degenerated into nothing more than a flack organization for the Democractic Party. Just look at who their leadership has been for the last ten years.

[fact finder]

Republicans ignore every one but the rich.

[provgrays]

For the sake of the progressive thought you claim to embrace, isn't it time to be done with the phrase, "persons of color?"? The phrase is patronizing and is used for political correctness instead of any reason pertaining to accuracy or fairness.

If you really want people to be judged by their character, stop pointing out color at every opportunity.

[uheardme]

"If you really want people to be judged by their character, stop pointing out color at every opportunity."

Fox News and white republicans should do the same.

[Matt Ortega - Huffpost Blogger]

Dr. King said in 1963, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

We can be judged on the content of our character without ignoring racial or cultural differences. I think as a nation, we have much to learn about different peoples. Perhaps our foreign policy will be better served, no?

[provgrays]

Matt,

I stand by my assertion that "people of color" is still inappropriate. I agree that we have much to learn about different people and cultures, but easy classification by color simply encourages people to embrace streotypes which should be discouraged in the first place.

A better phrase would be those of other cultures and we may even consider the values of those cultures instead of basic pigmentation. "People of color" is a patronizing phrase. I think that your use of King's quote validates my point.

[ImmanuelGoldstein]

One of the things that will prevent the Republicans from making any headway with 'persons' of color is their pose that racism wouldn't be an issue if it wasn't for the pesky liberals bringing the subject up.

[revolution]

Bigotry is unfortunately at the core of Republican history throughout the 20th century. What do Republicans have to gain by helping out Mexicans, African Americans, and even Asian immigrants? Absolutely nothing! They know it is near impossible to cater to those groups without marginalizing the WASP and ultra conservative organizations that help fund the party.

The problem that Republicans will face is that they need to change with the times or die a slow and painful death. Rewind a few months to all of the immigration debates. For example, I remember many prominent conservatives equating the Mexican threat with terrorists and even bringing up foolish stereotypes that only served to offend our neighbors to the south.

Republicans went the wrong way of 'dealing with the voter issue'. Instead of catering to Hispanics and trying to persuade them that conservatism is highly supportive of their traditional values, the party basically wants to minimize the damage done by Mexican Americans. Remember how quickly mescans multiply, the face of America is quickly changing into something that Republicans don't want.

So what is the solution? Lets close off the border, prevent any more potential Democratic voters from sneaking in the back door, and deny rights to those sneaky Mexicans that made their way in over the last few decades! The American Dream is only available to 'non-law-breaking Americans' e.g. no Mexicans allowed.

[CLR]

So you are saying that all Mexicans are "law breaking"? How about no ILLEGAL ALIENS allowed period no matter where they come from. We pay BILLIONS to educate and provide health care for ILLEGALS, we need to use this money on our own CITIZENS.

[darker]

It's simple: because Republican's aren't people of color. they've got NOTHING IN COMMON with people of color. And they don't care.

[revolution]

You are correct, sir.

[ImmanuelGoldstein]

Plus after seeing what 25 years of Neoliberalism has done to the WHITE working class why should WE want to sign on?

[mommadona]

BINGO!

Biggest "gathering of the clan"....ORANGE COUNTY/SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA.

[whatstheidea]

Do you realize that the Fox News were the only ones to reach out to the CBC to create a joint debate and the DEMOCRATS blew it off and strong armed the CBC to pull out.

No put away your race card.

[Matt Ortega - Huffpost Blogger]

FOX News is not a legitimate news organization. Their coverage of Democrats is horrible, biased, and completely skewed.

It was in the Democrats' best interest to not even legitimate an illegitimate "news organization." FNC engages in the most irresponsible, right-wing "reporting."

[Hastings]

Well, I'd have to say that the above comment just blew your credibility.

[1will]

Fox News is as legitimate as CBS, NBC, CNN or any other news organization.
Don't you think it's time for you libs to stop crying because 1. There is a news organization that is not an active cheerleader for Left Wing politics and 2. This news organization gets better ratings then your Left Wing biased media.

[Quaoar]

It's no up to you or the Democrats whether Fox is legitimate or not.

Anyway, Democrats chickening out of the Fox debate is no better than the Republicans chickening out of the Spanish language debate you mentioned above.

[revolution]

Haha, Fox News. It is nothing more than a glorified Tabloid for Republicans in much the same way the Weekly Standard and American Spectator are. What a joke.

[mommadona]

The Republicans are ignoring people of color
the way that
Scarlett O'hara ignored Mammy.

She KNEW she depended on her for every daily thing
but would never sit down to dinner with her.

"some" are much more equal than others and then, some "more" are more equal than others.

The Sauds never seem to have a problem as "people of color".

[DatelessNerd]

Excellent point!

I don't think it's accurate to brand Republicans as "racist." The only color they care about is green (as in money, not the environment).

You're absolutely right about how George W. Bush treats Arabs. He slaughters some, and kisses the asses of others.

The Bushies have some loyal, wealthy, Hispanic supporters. And Alberto Gonzales is not some "token," he's W's long-time buddy.

But if you're the janitor at the country club rather than a member, the Bushies don't want a darn thing to do with you.

[blu2purple]

Gonzo had something he could he could use...that was all.

[jeskiley]

You make an excellent point. Keep this issue alive, loud, and clear. I will be following it.