The Latino Vote - Presidential Elections
Posted by: Hector M. Barajas | 06/26/2008 5:06 AM
In the past several presidential elections, Republicans have made significant inroads with the Latino community and it seems to be paying off.
1976: Gerald Ford received 15% of the Latino vote
1980: Ronald Reagan received 30% of the Latino vote
1988: Ronald Reagan received 37% of the Latino vote
1992: George H. Bush received 39% of the Latino vote
1996: Bob Dole received 21% of the Latino vote
2000: George W. Bush received 35% of the Latino vote
2004: George W. Bush received 40% of the Latino vote
2008: John McCain
1976: Gerald Ford received 15% of the Latino vote
1980: Ronald Reagan received 30% of the Latino vote
1988: Ronald Reagan received 37% of the Latino vote
1992: George H. Bush received 39% of the Latino vote
1996: Bob Dole received 21% of the Latino vote
2000: George W. Bush received 35% of the Latino vote
2004: George W. Bush received 40% of the Latino vote
2008: John McCain
The 'Clinton' loans were done long before this mess & would have had a significant impact long ago...
Interesting stats. It Looks like Republican pandering has had some effect.
But no one has been hurt more by this economy than hard working people (& the poor).
I'll bet you a "cyber Pacifico" that the hill for Republican gain of latino support has been crested ...
Latinos are not monolithic. They represent multi-generational immigration and economic mobility. (Economic results for Latinos are increasingly skewed downward by the influx of undereducated, low-skilled, low wage earning illegal immigrants whose multi-generational economic mobility is in question.)
Latinos do not vote in a bloc (unlike blacks who vote 90% Democrat). And they should not vote in a bloc. Democrat policies have hurt blacks by promoting higher rates of teen pregnancy and illegitimacy that are associated with poverty. And too many black political leaders promote a self-serving and pathological cult of victomology. Latinos should not go there.
If the GOP wants to make inroads into a Latino community that is increasingly threatened by multi-generational poverty, it must focus on local efforts to encourage and provide educational opportunities; discourage teen pregnancy.