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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2008 > November > 13 > Entry
Latinos and the future of electoral politics
The election of the first African-American president naturally has led to much discussion about the nation’s troubled racial legacy and the impact of its longstanding black-white divide. Rightfully so. Black voters went for Obama by an astounding 95 percent, one of the key factors in helping him turn states like Indiana and North Carolina blue on the electoral map.
But the other racial subtext to this election that hasn’t seen as much discussion is the embrace of Obama by Latino voters, and their corresponding rejection of the GOP. In states like Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado, Latino support was as much a key to the blue hue they showed on election night maps.
Already the nature of the Obama-Latino alliance is the subject of speculation. Can it last? Will Obama make good on his promises to the Latino community?
In 2000 and 2004, Karl Rove dreamed of bringing largely Catholic and culturally conservative Latinos wholly into the Republican coalition, in part to protect the party’s flank in traditionally Republican southwestern states. It was a real opportunity for the GOP, but one that imploded to a great degree when conservatives took a hard line on immigration reform, with icy rhetoric about throwing all illegals out of the country and building walls to keep Mexicans from crossing our borders.
So it would seem Obama would have reason to address Latino issues. Perhaps making immigration reform an early priority, passing a bill in Congress while Obama still has loads of political capital to spend, would be one way to solidify the affections of Latino voters?
Don’t bet on it says San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Ruben Navarrette.
Navarrette writes that the choice of Rahm Emmanuel as chief of staff is a bad omen for immigration reform. Emmanuel, according to Navarrette, sees the issue of immigration reform as a loser for the Democrats. The thinking is pushing such a bill will just inflame the conservative Republican base into activism and could endanger some vulnerable House seats if the party is seen as backing “amnesty” for illegals to remain in the U.S. Besides, the Democrats believe they can count on Latino voters even without immigration reform.
If that becomes the administration’s position, it would seem short-sighted. Immigration reform is needed and even many Republicans support changes that would allow illegals to stay. Business groups, for instance, do not want to lose the thousands of Latino workers that help boost our economy. And politically, a quick win on immigration and real attention to issues Latinos care about would be a good coalition-building move for the Democrats.
If Navarrette is right that Obama will take a pass on this issue, it re-opens the door for Republicans to again court frustrated Latino voters. Whether the GOP could successfully embrace a group that its most conservative faction has aggressively opposed is the harder question. Rove thought so, but so far he’s been proven wrong.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: National politics
Comments
By Mike
November 13, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
I think Navarrete’s view is a little myopic. Emmanuel’s role as Chief of Staff is not one of policy formulation. It is to press for enactment of the policies of the Obama administration. Emmanuel, no doubt, can be very hard nosed and partisan. But he can also be pragmatic. In the end, his role is as an adviser. One thing is for certain. The Republican base certainly needs no prodding to get fired up about “the scary brown people”. It is a central tenet of their politics. Obama and his people are well aware of the importance of the Latino community. And you can bet that Bill Richardson, highly respected in the Latino community, will play a very high profile role in strengthening the relationship of Latinos with the Democratic Party. And until the GOP finishes out their internal civil war and we see who will end up in charge of the party, I think Navarrete’s fears are very premature. The Republican Party right now is in no condition to wage a battle for any segment of the electorate outside of their base. The demographics of the November 4 results are a testament to that.By Ron
December 5, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
I think Richardson, who is hispanic and speaks Spanish was more qualified than Hillary to be Sec. of State. I also feel that Obama made a bad mistake by hiring a senior member of the racist, radical La Raza org for his White House team.By Muhammad Daheem
January 4, 2009 4:34 AM | Link to this
Obama can be an asset for the United States of America if he follws the policy of justice and fair play for all the communities.