Gonzales, GOP court Hispanics

It's no secret that Alberto Gonzales' appointment as attorney general was a watershed moment for American Hispanics--and for a yearslong effort to woo more Latino voters to the Republican Party.

Though the political strategy is long-term, Gonzales has moved swiftly and energetically, more like a political candidate in a campaign than a Cabinet member, to reach out to kindred ethnic audiences and showcase his status as the first Latino U.S. attorney general.

In office barely more than 100 days, Gonzales already has visited Mexico and met with Mexican President Vicente Fox and spoken to gatherings of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Latino Small Business Economic Conference and the National Council of La Raza.

In addition, trips for two major speeches in the last month took Gonzales to Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Ariz., in the heavily Hispanic Southwest. On May 7, he gave the commencement address at Houston Community College, which is about 25 percent Latino.

And when he held his first news conference in the Justice Department it was with Benigno Reyna, the head of the U.S. Marshals Service and a fellow Mexican-American. Numerous Spanish-language media were there to cover it.

"I'll probably get in trouble for saying this, but nobody has done more for Hispanics in the last four years than this administration," Garcia said. "They didn't take us for granted."

Anyone here doubt that Garcia is talking about Bush leaving the borders open, after 9-11, so that millions of hispanics can have free access to the U.S?

Heads turned in the Latino community on the night of March 8 when Gonzales spoke to La Raza, one of the nation's most influential Hispanic advocacy groups, which, though non-partisan, has roots in the civil rights movement and historically has leaned left and toward the Democratic Party.

With Republicans controlling the White House and Congress, however, La Raza has been eager to establish a beachhead with Republicans.

The group has invited Bush to its events, to no avail, according to La Raza spokeswoman Lisa Navarette.(It's only a matter of time before Bush goes to them and whips some spexican on them.)

Speaking moments before Gonzales, La Raza President Janet Murguia acknowledged that outreach to the GOP is controversial within her group.

"Some may not think this is the right thing to do, but I respectfully disagree. We have too much on the line," she said.

....For instance, Gonzales has not used his platform before Hispanic organizations to talk about his support for the so-called REAL ID legislation recently approved by Congress. REAL ID would greatly tighten requirements for illegal residents and others seeking a driver's license, and it is vehemently opposed by many immigrant and Latino groups.

For now, it's OK that Gonzales is not taking high-profile stands on issues, because much of the Hispanic media still are celebrating his status as a trailblazer and his importance as a role model, said Lupita Colmenero, associate publisher of El Hispano News in Dallas and president of the National Association of Hispanic Publications.

But eventually, the honeymoon will end, and Gonzales will be assessed on how he deals with tough issues, "especially . . . immigration, which is a very delicate issue," said Colmenero.

"Whatever results he brings . . . that's how he will be judged," she said.

"Obviously," Colmenero said, "the Hispanic community has big expectations."

Meaning they are looking forward to more pandering by this administration.

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