Hispanics emerging as pivotal bloc in presidential politics

SFGate.com ^ | 1/31/04 | Jacques Billeaud - AP

[NormsRevenge]

Hispanics are poised to emerge as an influential voting force in the United States, observers say, especially now that two southwestern states are playing an earlier role in the presidential nominating process.

More than 35 million Hispanics live in the United States, according to Census Bureau figures. Nearly 2.7 million reside in the seven states holding primaries or caucuses Tuesday, the first day of multistate elections for Democrats seeking their party's nomination.

[NormsRevenge]

FRom Merriam-Webster Dictionary Onine

One entry found for Hispanic. Main Entry: His·pan·ic Pronunciation: hi-'spa-nik Function: adjective Etymology: Latin hispanicus, from Hispania Iberian Peninsula, Spain : of, relating to, or being a person of Latin American descent living in the U.S.; especially : one of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin - Hispanic noun - His·pan·i·cism /-'spa-n&-"si-z&m/ noun - His·pan·i·cist /-sist/ noun - His·pan·i·cize /-"sIz/ transitive verb

[GeronL]

and this is news????

[Minuteman23]

This guy's just noticing this?

Could this have anything to do with Bush's amnesty plan for illegals? Hmmmm?

[NormsRevenge]

LOL.. You guys are vicious.. This is what the AP does is run crap like this on the weekends.. I just post it..

:-|

Come to think of it , they run this crap all the time. Must be some sort of covert desensitivity programming scheme or something. ;-]

[NormsRevenge]

Some good quotes tho..

Some of the candidates have run Spanish-language ads and bought airtime on Hispanic networks, but only Kerry is doing so now. In a 30-second TV ad, Kerry says in Spanish, "I want to return hope to this country." ... by leaving it.

[Texas Eagle]

As one of those categorized as "hispanic", I despise the word with every fiber of my being. To me, the word is political-speak for "mutt".

I'm "hispanic" because I have Mexican ancestry. But if I were of Cuban ancestry or Puerto Rican or Guatamalan or even Spanish ancestry, I'd still be "hispanic" even though each of those nationalities has cultures, traditions and histories unique unto itself.

Any self-respecting person who falls into the category called "hispanic" should be insulted to be referred to as such.

I'm an American dammit and if that's not good enough for somebody who wants my vote then he or she can kiss my royal bronze god body ass!

[Minuteman23]

Must be some sort of covert desensitivity programming scheme or something

I do think you're on to something. :-)

[NormsRevenge]

I have full faith and confidence in the decisions that Hispanics, Blacks/African Americans,Indo-Americans,Euro-Americans, etc make in November 2004.

Their stakes in the future of this country are as closely tied to its success as anyone else's. Don't underestimate them but don't try and bamboozle them with polemics either.

[NormsRevenge]

I hear ya and I meant no disrespect in posting this article.

It is a form of profiling that we are told we shouldn't use or pay allegiance to, even when it comes to our national security, per the head of the TSA, ironiclally enough.

I'm a bit of a slav myself, well, more bohunk. ;-]

[cyborg]

One wonders in the 21st century why we still have these dumb labels at all.

[Texas Eagle]

I hear ya and I meant no disrespect in posting this article.

My diatribe was not directed towards you. I apologize if that's how it came across. It was directed at those who allow themselves to be categorized in such a way that it devalues their own American-ness (if there is such a word).I realize it is a part of our political vocabulary but I despise it nonetheless.

[Henchman]

Hispanic is one thing illegal another. If illegality breeds control of our voting process, you have a good idea of what that AH Bush stands for. I'll bet the majority were "undocumented workers" or descended there from. They were not the original settlers there (a few perhaps but not the majority). After the Hispanics were through enslaving the Native Americans, it was Americans who settled the area and then fought Mexico.

End this BS or we stop paying taxes to the US of Mexico. Our country is founded upon tax evasion (Boston Tea Party, Stamp Acts etc), not illegal immigration.

[DoctorMichael]

"....Hispanics are poised to emerge as an influential voting force in the United States...."

No! Ya think?

[The South Texan]

I expect John F'ing Kerry to start referring to himself as "Juan Francisco Kerry" in order to pander to Hispanic voters.

[NormsRevenge]

I know but felt obligated to offer as some might misinterpret original intent anyway. Thanks :-)

[Amerigomag]

I'm an American dammit and if that's not good enough for somebody who wants my vote then he or she can kiss my royal bronze god body ass!

Here, here.

My parents and grandparents lived through the 20s, 30s and 40s were the same attitudes were espoused about their culture and heritage.

They hated it. They had worked hard to assimilate and were insulted that their heritage had more to do with public opinion than their character and good works.

[Pubbie]

"Hispanics emerging as pivotal bloc in presidential politics"

Bzzzzzzzt WRONG!

Hispanics will only be 6% of the total electorate in 2004 because (At least) 33% of the 39 million hispanics in the US are Illegals - and that figure could be as high as 41%.

Furthermore, 33% of the increase in the Hispanic population projected in the future will come from illegals who can't vote.

So the GOP has some time left on the clock.

[Amerigomag]

I realize it is a part of our political vocabulary but I despise it nonetheless.

It is a part of our political vocabulary for three principal reason, in historic order

1) The Democrat Party has been in power for more than 70 years and their views have become a part of our political culture. The party is a collection of disparate groups all vying for a seat at the table of power and they look at the world from that skewed point of view.

2) Bill Clinton was the master at holding this disparate group together and achieving power through division of the electorate along lines lines of race, ethnicity, and special interests. His legacy will be long reviled.

3) Last but not least, because of the recent, massive influx of immigrants from one geographic area with a common native language and similar cultural heritage these immigrants have tended to emphasize the culture at the expense of assimilation. Many have not only worn their heritage with pride but have kept that pride from allowing them to become a part of the "American" mainstream.