Tancredo commended for boycotting Spanish language GOP debate

OneNewsNow.com ^ | December 11, 2007 | Chad Groening

[fweingart]

An English language advocate is praising Republican presidential candidate Tom Tancredo for boycotting a recent Spanish language debate with his fellow GOP hopefuls.

The debate was held on the University of Miami campus on Sunday and was broadcast on the Spanish language network Univision. Candidates' responses, spoken in English, were simultaneously translated into Spanish. Congressman Tancredo (R-Colorado) was the only GOP candidate who turned down an invitation to attend the debate, saying his fellow candidates were "encouraging violation of the law" by taking part.

Tancredo -- who has made a tough stand on illegal immigration the centerpiece of his campaign -- boycotted the event, saying that the law requires individuals who wish to become a naturalized citizen to have a knowledge and understanding of English, including the ability to read, write, and speak the language.

Jim Boulet, executive director of English First, argues the Colorado congressman was "absolutely correct" in his decision, noting that about 40 percent of Hispanic voters speak English and get their news in English. "And they find this kind of thing demeaning," says Boulet. "So I really don't understand why the Republican candidates are bowing to political correctness on the language front."

Boulte agrees with Tancredo's contention that there is no reason to have a debate in any language other than English. He says even the candidates themselves cannot be sure their debate responses were properly translated.

"There are Cuban Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Puerto Rican Spanish, and Castilian Spanish [speakers]-- and they're all very different," he points out. "So even if you're being translated accurately into Castilian, the Puerto Rican voter might hear something entirely different that you didn't intend."

Boulet says U.S. voters have enough trouble understanding what the candidates are saying in English, so he questions the push to add another language.

According to a recent Pew Hispanic Center report, 23 percent of registered Hispanic voters align with the GOP -- five percentage points lower than in July 2006. That same report says 57 percent of the Hispanic voting bloc call themselves Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party.

[fweingart]

Enough, already!

[DoughtyOne]

Tancredo -- who has made a tough stand on illegal immigration the centerpiece of his campaign -- boycotted the event, saying that the law requires individuals who wish to become a naturalized citizen to have a knowledge and understanding of English, including the ability to read, write, and speak the language.

Jim Boulet, executive director of English First, argues the Colorado congressman was "absolutely correct" in his decision, noting that about 40 percent of Hispanic voters speak English and get their news in English. "And they find this kind of thing demeaning," says Boulet. "So I really don't understand why the Republican candidates are bowing to political correctness on the language front."

I don't plan on voting for Tom, and although this endorsement is great, it doesn't mean much to me.  This issue is important.  The figure mentioned above is something very few U.S. Citizens are aware of.  And that needs to be pounded into the soft mush-filled brains of those who don't think this issue is worth the effort.  (not necessarily including you in that thought)

I find it rather disconcerting to know that 60% of Hispanic voters are going to get their information from a Spanish language paper, radio or television news program.  Those programs are quite problematic as it relates to sound U.S.of A. policy.

[fweingart]

...60% of Hispanic voters are going to get their information from a Spanish language paper, radio or television news program.

One has to wonder what a typical IQ would be of this group.

[DCPatriot]

One doesn’t have to wonder what is your’s though, do we?

[DoughtyOne]

My first concern would be the disinformation they would be subjected to. Regardless of IQ, you can’t expect folks to get it right if they can’t hear the truth from decent sources. Lack of education may be a valid concern. I’m not convinced lack of IQ would be.

[fweingart]

147

[RedCobra]

For truth and honesty, which is painfully rare in today’s politicians, you can’t beat Tom Tancredo as well as Duncan Hunter

[Just A Nobody]

Amen!

[Eaker]

Why is this not a valid question?

If it is really legal for these people to vote how can they not speak English? Perhaps they are unable to learn the language of their adopted country even after being here for so many years working on attaining citizenship? Inability to learn a language is not a sign of intelligence.

Or maybe there is a more nefarious reason they cannot speak English but are still voting. Voting democrat most likely too.

[Uri’el-2012]

So it is painfully clear that all the GOP except
Tom Tancredo support having Illegal Aliens voting for them.

[End Times Crusader]

You have no proof that any of the attendees were illegal.

[End Times Crusader]

Voting democrat most likely too.

If conservatives continue their anti-immigrant/ anti-Hispanic jihad, they most certainly will be.

[Uri’el-2012]

What ?

[End Times Crusader]

The truth is that neither Tancredo nor Hunter are going anywhere in the polls because of their extremism on the issue of immigration.

[Eaker]

Kinda early to be posting drunk isn’t it n00bie?

Nobody on FR is buying the bullshit you are selling.

[End Times Crusader]

Great way to address my point.

[End Times Crusader]

The fact that 60% of Hispanic voters do not speak English is all the more reason for the GOP candidates to attend this debate. Tancredo made a huge mistake by staying home and whining, but then again his entire campaign has been one mistake after another.

What Republicans and conservatives need to do is release a newsletter or magazine in Spanish in order to counter the liberal propaganda that they are normally fed. I cannot stress how crucial it is to win over Hispanic voters. Without them our cause and our party is will fail.

[DoughtyOne]

I understand the reasoning. I don’t support the idea. If we have support amongst Hispanics, and I mean true support, it shouldn’t be the burden of English speaking people to pass the word. It should be those who professed to cling to family values and a love of this nation, that should do it for not only their own good, but the good of the nation they swore an allegence to.

There are over 165 languages that the LAUSD has to deal with on a daily basis. Imagine placing the burden on each Presidential campaign to cater to those who only speack foreign languages. Frankly there wouldn’t be enough time.

Deal with the 65% of the populace who is white and has a vested interest in this nation, that cannot be denied. The rest will either come along, or do what they would have anyway.

[Eaker]

Honesty is a bitter pill?

Illegal aliens need to be deported.

Can that be more clear?

[fweingart]

As amazing as this observation seems it is true.

I've had no doubt that Tancredo was the man for the times we've been forced to endure; however, he (being anathema to the Establishment Republicans, considering he was banned from the Bush WH and AF 1) didn't have a snowball's chance. I gave more to his campaign that any others, because I felt he truly believed that the dilution of American society by millions of practically illiterate Mexican society castoffs was bad.