Campaign watch: Appealing to Latino voters

The Patriot Post

Given a chance to soften what’s been portrayed as harsh rhetoric toward the growing number of Hispanic voters in America, most of the major Republican candidates participated in a debate translated into Spanish earlier this week in Miami. As one would expect, many of the questions dealt with the subject of immigration, with Rudy Giuliani and John McCain exhibiting laxer stances on the subject. Both showed a willingness to allow certain illegal aliens to stay in the country after the borders were secured, with Giuliani noting, “The people who want to come forward should be allowed to come forward.” John McCain added that the rhetoric on illegal immigration makes Hispanics “believe that we are not in favor of... Hispanic citizens in this country.” Thanks to demagogues like McCain, perhaps.

Most candidates, though, held a harder line despite the audience. Fred Thompson was among those who advocated a more conventional approach, stating, “We have to enforce our borders and we have to uphold our law.” The debate, which aired on the Spanish-language network Univision, drew all but one of the GOP contenders. Rep. Tom Tancredo boycotted the event, saying it furthers the “balkanization” of America. Recent poll-vaulter Mike Huckabee chastened the no-show, saying not participating would be an “insult” to both Republicans and Hispanic voters. It is possible to win votes while advocating for the law, and Republicans would do well to figure that out.