Posted on 04/01/2015 9:32:55 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is vying to become the nation's first Latino president, but the conservative Republican won't be able to count on Hispanic voters in 2016. Despite his heritage, Cruz, the son of a Cuban immigrant, is unlikely to rally voters around his potentially historic candidacy the way President Barack Obama did in 2008, when black, Hispanic and other important voting demographics were eager to elect the nation's first African-American commander in chief.
"I can't envision any scenario in which Ted Cruz can make any appeal to Latinos at this point," said Matt Barreto, co-founder of the polling and research firm Latino Decisions and a political science/Chicano studios professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. "If anything, he will hurt Republican chances [with Latino voters]. It will be worse than Mitt Romney."
Cruz has often cited his father's move from Cuba to the United States with only $100 as a symbol of his own tough work ethnic and resilience. But Cruz has otherwise largely shied away from using his Hispanic heritage as a selling point on the campaign trail. He also has made no grand overtures in the past to Hispanic voters, unlike some of his likely GOP primary rivals, including U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, whose parents were born in Cuba, or former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who speaks Spanish and married into a Latino family.
"The real question is whether the senator perceives himself as a Latino candidate," said Hector De Leon, co-chairman of the Associated Republicans of Texas, which reaches out to Hispanic voters. "And I don’t know if he does ... I have never heard him use that phrase or even hint at it."
But Cruz's biggest problem with many Latinos is his harsh views on illegal immigration.
(Excerpt) Read more at ibtimes.com ...
Standing for the truth is a bigger draw than a moniker of “hope and change.”
And is hard working uncomplaining cheap labor with no aspirations to more opportunity.
The leaders of hispanic activist groups try to herd hispanics into a single identity. That's just not valid. I'm wondering if it's more a case of say, for example, there are some Puerto Ricans or Mexicans (etc) who wouldn't favor a candidate based just on ethnicity.
Many hispanics I know are tradesmen and small businessmen. A message of how with hard work they could set their own independent futures and have the basic job skills to do so would play real well in those communities.
so the only thing that “Latino” voters care about is open borders?
CRUZ or LOSE!Standing for the truth is a bigger draw than a moniker of “hope and change.”
That’s right. Truth beats “Jive BS” every time.
“Hope and Change” is a disaster and disgrace and anyone with a lick of sense knows it.
Copy and paste leftist attacks. Not an original thought.
I disagree with the article. American-Hispanics are far more likely to switch parties than blacks.
First, they already vote GOP in the 30% range, as opposed to the 5% range for blacks. From my own experience, most of the 70% that vote democrat are not hard-core leftists, but are closer to the squishy middle. I understand that there are a lot of militant Hispanics on the west coast that want California returned to Mexico, but I’m under the impression that most of these are here illegally and are not voters.
Second, they democrats have done nothing for them, and as American citizens the democrats have done a lot of harm.
Third, they are a lot more Christian than blacks. Christians are under attack by democrats.
“But Cruz has otherwise largely shied away from using his Hispanic heritage as a selling point on the campaign trail.
Senator Cruz is running as an American.
I don’t know anything about Barreto, so...
God, this doesn’t stop does it?
Does this writer know that a good number of Latinos who are here LEGALLY want someone to crack down on ILLEGAL immigration?
This is sounding more and more like with Reagan. HE WAS DEMONIZED SO MUCH BEFORE AS BEING THIS WAR MONGERER, AND DUMMY ETC., BEFORE AND DURING THE PRIMARIES THAT BY THE TIME THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SAW HIM IN THE DEBATES, HE CAME ACROSS DIFFERENTLY.
I see the same thing happening here with Cruz. They are painting a picture of this guy that is false, and the public will soon see this.
SEcondly, unlike Obama, Cruz will campaign every where. Once he goes on Spanish TV and they hear his story they will FLOCK to him!
They do not care, facts are not going to be allowed to change the narrative
“I understand that there are a lot of militant Hispanics on the west coast that want California returned to Mexico, but I’m under the impression that most of these are here illegally and are not voters.”
I do not believe a few dozen college loudmouths represent the masses.
Most Hispanics are here because they were born here, or they want to be here.
The pander...It hurts.
I hope Cruz takes out a SUPERBOWL AD next February just as Primaries are going and SPELLS IT OUT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE in 30 seconds!
The author doesn’t know if Cruz perceives himself as a Latino; does it ever occur to these people that someone could just be an American?
I don’t think every Hispanic is for illegal immigration.
I think the premise of this article insults a majority of Hispanics who consider themselves Americans first. They want our immigration laws enforced. Had they been enforced all along, we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in today.
With Latino ancestors who came to (what is now) Texas in the late 1700’s, you bet your ass I despise mojados-so do just about all Texans from old Latino families...
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