Poll: More than half of Hispanics identify as conservative

AUSTIN – A bent to conservatism and family makes Hispanics a promising pool of votes for Republicans, but the party's targeting of illegal immigrants has withered its attraction.

Regardless, Gov. Rick Perry has fared relatively well, perhaps because of his anti-Washington rhetoric and his careful immigration stance, a recent poll indicates.

The spanish language press pound away at the idea that conservatives are racist; particularly they pound away at the idea that if you want to secure the borders the motivation is racist.

Meaning, they are pretty much in lock step with the english language press which says and does the very same thing.

The upshot is that if you get your information from the english or spanish language press, finding your home in the Republican Party is an uphill climb.

Part of the issue is the fact that most American conservatives are “classic liberals”, meaning, they believe in limited government, private property, and individual rights and responsibility.

Hispanics are by and large conservative in terms of family and morals. And coming as they do from countries with disfunctional governments, they operate well in an environment in which government intentionally limits itself.

But they have not all internalized the idea that government ought to be limited or that its primary responsibility is protecting freedom. There is still a presumption that, if there is a social or economic problem, the government ought to do something (this is an idea that is accepted with fully half of Americans in general). The idea that some problems must be solved by private people or private institutions has not been internalized and its a difficult sell. Classic liberalism is, in fact, a difficult sell which is why it took root mostly only in the US and it hangs on by its fingernails even here.

But that is the hurdle conservatives face in reaching out to anyone, not merely hispanic voters. When you are in a debate with a party that promises special programs for ethnic voters, color-blind citizenship is a hard sell. And when you are faced with a party that has a government solution for every ill, limited government is a very tough sell.

“What do you propose to do for hispanic Americans?” “Nothing.” “What do you propose to do about global warming?” “Nothing”. “What do you propose to do about the endangered red-feathered loon?” “Nothing”. “What should government do about medical care?” “Nothing”. Its a tough sell. It will attract a certain type of person, and that type of person is the kind you want. But its not going to be an easy sell. And you’re right, we haven’t found our spanish-speaking Limbaugh or even our english-speaking hispanic Limbaugh who can articulate this clearly and convincingly.

There’s nothing wrong with being proud of ones ethncity, but as you stated, what’s the point? I remember a college prof asking me about my last name. He thought it was Italian, but I informed him it was actually Slovenian. Then he wanted to know if I had explored my ethnicity. I told him I really hadn’t given it much thought. I simply don’t care. I am, however, very proud to be an American.

“...hispanics who are here LEGALLY, and thus LEGALLY allowed to vote,..”

GOOD GOD!! Resident foreign nationals are NOT allowed to vote, period.

Voting is for U.S. citizens only!

If you know any legal residents - foreign nationals who are or have voted in the past, contact your locals elections office. Those people should be removed from the voting rolls immediately.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.