GOP poll: Estrada opposition could cost Dems

The Hill ^ | 4/5/03 | Sarita Chourey

[Jean S]

The Democratic Party could pay a price for Senate Democrats’ effort to block President Bush’s nomination of Miguel Estrada for a federal judgeship, according to an internal GOP poll.

The poll, which questioned 1,000 registered voters about the impact of the nomination on Senate Democratic candidates, found that 42 percent of respondents have a less favorable view of Democratic candidates while only 32 percent had a favorable view.

Further evidence of the negative effect of the Democratic filibuster on its own party came from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a traditionally Democratic organization, which has become an ally of Republican Hispanic groups backing Estrada.

But LULAC is in a quandary. Last week, several members of the all-Democratic Congressional Hispanic Caucus expressed their irritation with the organization’s pro-Estrada stance and requested that LULAC’s board address their concerns.

“LULAC came out fairly early in support of Mr. Estrada,” said Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-Texas). “We respect that, but we disagree. The problem is that LULAC has allowed itself to be used to legitimize the illegitimate.”

He added, “LULAC needs to look carefully and deeply as to whether or not they’re being used as tools. We’ve worked with them, of course. I can’t believe they’ve allowed themselves to be aligned with certain organizations.”

LULAC has held two joint press conferences with GOP groups like the Latino Coalition, which criticized the Hispanic Caucus for not supporting Estrada.

Even though LULAC did not directly criticize the Hispanic Caucus, some Senate Republicans such as Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Trent Lott (R-Miss.) accused members of the Hispanic Caucus of being anti-Hispanic, and turning their backs on their own community.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, compared the Hispanic Caucus to a “lioness eating its cub.”

Gonzalez dismissed such criticism. “Trent Lott? I mean, please,” he remarked.

Brian Wilkes, LULAC’s national executive director, played down speculation that his organization is shifting its allegiance to the Democratic Party, and said he plans to issue a release this week criticizing Senate Republicans for their statements against the Hispanic Caucus.

“ We may have been unwittingly caught up in a play for the Republican vote,” Wilkes said. He expressed regret at attending briefings where the Hispanic Caucus was criticized.

“ Unfortunately, Republicans have taken the qualifications away from Miguel Estrada and tried to push a wedge between the Hispanic community and the Democratic Party,” he said. “We never signed up for that.”

Despite the organization’s apparent flip-flop, Wilkes praised President Bush for his outreach to Hispanic voters. He said Hispanic Democrats do have reason to worry about their base gravitating toward the GOP.

Asked about his views on Bush, Wilkes replied: “There is a sense that Bush, unlike his predecessor, has been reaching out to Hispanics. [But] we definitely disagree with his stance on affirmative action. We are concerned about his tax package. He seems to be tilting his economic program toward the more affluent, and that doesn’t help our community.”

While LULAC is going to some length to avoid an open breach with the Democrats, it is not budging from its position that Estrada should be confirmed.

“ We’ve evaluated his record, he’s got a very strong academic record,” said Wilkes, who remarked that Estrada worked in the solicitor general’s office under President Clinton and was once editor of the Columbia Law Review.

Hispanic Democrats say their constituents do not necessarily favor Estrada. Rep. Gonzalez added that his local LULAC chapter does not support Estrada.

The Democrats continue to hammer the message that Estrada is wrong for the job. “I was there when he came before the caucus and refused to answer a question,” said Rep. Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.). “I don’t expect George Bush to nominate a liberal, but I expect [the nomination] to be some kind of sensible person.”

[1Old Pro]

The Dems have given us this delightful issue (PRO-HISPANIC VS. ANTI-HISPANIC) on a silver platter. To take advantage of this politically and to do the right thing for Estrada the GOP must stand firm and not back down. Force cloture votes once a week. They must frame this in the press on a daily baisi as Dems being against Hispanics.

[syriacus]

The title of the article says the Democrats are in trouble over the Estrada confirmation, but the largest chunk of the article talks about criticisms that the Hispanics have of the Republicans.

Maybe the problem is that the author has strayed from her usual beat.

Sarita Mary Chourey

Capitol campus
Policy beat: Arts and education

Sarita Chourey was an intern at The Hill before joining the staff as an editorial assistant. She graduated from Indiana University in 2001 with a B.A. in print journalism and a concentration in violin performance.

[Coop]

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, compared the Hispanic Caucus to a “lioness eating its cub.”

LOL! Go, Orrin!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I think the Gipper said Hispanics are Republican. They just don't know it yet.

[Miss Marple]

The Hispanic community, however, is paying a LOT of attention.

[Cyber Liberty]

“LULAC came out fairly early in support of Mr. Estrada,” said Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-Texas). “We respect that, but we disagree. The problem is that LULAC has allowed itself to be used to legitimize the illegitimate.”

I see. Translation: "We screwed up. We forgot to check in with McCauliff before we said we liked the guy."

[MamaLucci]

Force cloture votes once a week.

Yep. All the way to the Nov.2004 elections, and beyond, if necessary.
The dems are just begging the GOP to "shut the senate down"....
ain't gonna happen.
Homey don't play that game anymore.

[Mister Baredog]

all-Democratic Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Please note that there are many Republican Hispanics in the Congress but I guess they too aren't allowed in the caucus because they aren't HISPANIC enough

[TLBSHOW]

The rats would be closing down the senate and that is what they fear, a backlash from that.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

My letter to my Senators:

Senator,

I have to say I am deeply disappointed by the racist tactics being employed by filibustering Miguel Estrada's nomination.
Even though he is Hispanic, Mr. Estrada is more than qualified to hold a high seat in the this nation's courts.
What is the reason for the stalling?
Sen. Schumer had at least two instances to question Mr. Estrada and failed both times to provide questions and now he's asking for material that no other nominee or Senator from New York has ever been required to provide.
Your continued racial policies are disgusting.
Please reconsider this ill-conceived racist filibuster.
Regards,

DITW

[Onelifetogive]

He added, “LULAC needs to look carefully and deeply as to whether or not they’re being used as tools. We’ve worked with them, of course. I can’t believe they’ve allowed themselves to be aligned with certain organizations.”

Typical Dimocrap attitude! Right or wrong is not a consideration. The only thing that matters is who you are aligned with. If the Republicans want something, Dims must oppose it. Good for the country ot not?? Doesn't matter!!!

[Howlin]

“LULAC needs to look carefully and deeply as to whether or not they’re being used as tools..."

I guess he doesn't think THEY are tools, right?

[MamaLucci]

Yeah, and clinton shut the government down....and the media helped the rats get by with blaming the GOP for it.
Been there, done that. As long as they stay united and make it clear that they won't give up until Estrada gets an up or down vote, the pubbies CAN win this without closing down all senate business. So far I think they are playing it just about right.

[SunStar]

“LULAC came out fairly early in support of Mr. Estrada,” said Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-Texas). “We respect that, but we disagree. The problem is that LULAC has allowed itself to be used to legitimize the illegitimate.”

He's only a "latino" if the Democrats say so. Otherwise, he's an "uncle miguel".

[justshe]

~~~The dems are just begging the GOP to "shut the senate down"....ain't gonna happen.
Homey don't play that game anymore.~~~

Exactly. One of the effects of a premature 24/7 would be the vulnerability to charges of NOT doing other business, in effect, shutting down the Senate. We're playing this exactly right, imo. And we are keeping ALL of our options open while not tipping our hand prematurely.

[TLBSHOW]

You will come up with any and all excusses for this won't you? The republicans will never get him in with this new way!

24 7 is the way

[citizen]

My guess is the WH/Pubbies are quite content to allow the Dims to block Estrada for quite some time, eventually this should sway a sizeable number of Hispanic/minority/undecideds to lean more in the conservative direction.

At least that's my hope.

Now if we could just get Pres. Bush to seal the borders.....

[CyberAnt]

Sounds like McAwful has been making phone calls to Hispanic organizations and making promises - or threats!!