Democrats & Liberals: Archives

Primary Color. BROWN

It’s been said that voters in primaries elections have more power to influence who is on the ticket much more than they do in the general election. Voting blocs can be based on age, economic status, and ethnicity among other divisions.

Who will get the votes cast by ethnic minorities this year? What is their potential for deciding the election? Is it more beneficial for them to play the spoiler or work with the two majority parties?

Will racial and ethnic minorities get their due or become part of the white male dominated power structure?

The politically motivated minority that’s getting the most buzz this silly season is the Latino population. If Fox News says so it must be true. Their politics range from the ultra right wing, ex CIA agent, anti Castro, Cuban militants on the right to the labor movement of Cesar Chavez and the Catholic social justice activists on the left. Bush is liable to get jeers as much as cheers from Republican cheerleader, Leo LaCayo.

Latino influence is not only in the West and South. There are growing Spanish speaking communities in the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast. Hispanic votes could determine a shift in the regional political fortunes of many candidates.

Let’s not kid ourselves. Bush played to the growing elite in Texas. Just as he's doing as president. He’s loyal to the people who got him into politics, including Hispanics. He did well enough with them to win the majority of votes for governor. Most likely because of his exaggerated Texas background and 8th grade Spanish.

The moderate and well spoken Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico is well aware of the power. VP rumors are connected with his name. Al Sharpton thinks it should be an automatic. Personally, I think Richardson's looking to 2008 for the top spot. Not Al Sharpton.

UPI reports that “The U.S. Census Bureau last week released figures showing that 38.8 million Hispanics now live in the United States, making them the largest minority group in nation. Blacks numbered 38.3 million in the survey, as of July 2002.”

Neither party can afford to ignore the Hispanic vote. Both parties must reach out. Howard Dean and Bob Kerry spoke at the National Council of La Raza gathering in Austin. Bush’s back yard. They don't want to repeat Bush's snub of the NAACP with the important Hispanic constituency.

Democrats cannot take either Hispanics or Republicans for granted and every major candidate is reaching out to Hispanics. Bob Kerry, supported by Henry Cisneros going to George Bush’s home state to seek support is good politics. The Democratic radio message of 7/12 is further proof Democrats are working hard to include Hispanics in their message.