Will Latinos vote for Obama?
Traditionally great fans of Hillary Clinton, Latino-Americans will now have to make the difficult decision between anti-immigration candidate John McCain and black candidate Barack Obama. Despite a long-running rivalry with the black community, they will not be swayed towards John McCain, say our Observers.
Since Hillary was thrown
out of the race, speculation has been mounting over which direction the
Hispanic community will veer towards. A new poll released by Latino Decisions
shows that Latino support for John McCain barely reached a quarter of the
community, whereas almost two thirds of the migrant group are planning to vote for
Obama. The figure has surprised some spectators, due to a recognized rivalry
between the African-American and Hispanic minorities, while others see it as the only choice they have.
Podemos Con Obama!
Various Latin rappers, singers and actors got together to produce this music video called "With Obama We Can".
"Even though he's not Hispanic, it's one step closer"
Layla Soberanis is Latino-American with parents from Guatemala. She's currently completing an internship at the Spanish Embassy in Washington and studying for a degree in Hispanic Studies.
The problem with Hillary was that she fired her chief of staff [Patti Solis Doyle, who has recently been chosen as head of staff to the Obama campaign], who was Hispanic. That was the deciding factor for my family. Clinton did seem to do a lot for the Hispanic community, but that could be a political trick.
If Obama does get elected then he'd bring in a lot of new policies that wouldn't just benefit the African-American communities but all minorities, so us too. Especially in education - I think there'd be a lot more opportunities for minorities in colleges and also in healthcare too which many Latino people just don't have access to. I also think if he was elected it would encourage minorities to do a lot of things, just from the sense of morale he'd bring.
I do believe there could be a slight resentment from the white majority if we get a minority president. I feel as though now it's just Obama and McCain left it will divide people on the colour of their skin."
"All a candidate needs to do is say "anti-comunista!" and they've got the Cuban vote"
Ernesto Haibi is an American national of Cuban descent. His parents moved to the States before he was born.
But for me, and the rest of the Hispanic community, McCain is veering towards the extreme right, and is now openly siding with the anti-immigration crowd. Latinos are listening to him saying "we don't want any more of you here" and thinking "that's my family he stopping from getting in". You'd be hard pressed to find a Spanish-speaking McCain supporter who's not Cuban. And that's almost all of 12.5% of the vote he's just lost."
"Latinos are more than aware of their "mongrel" status and they can relate to this mixed-race candidate"
François Durpaire, a professor specialising in black minority communities, published the book "Barack Obama's America".
Not being committed to either party, the Hispanic community is one that became a big stake in the primaries. And now Clinton is out, it's interesting to see that both Obama and McCain have created entirely Spanish speaking versions of their campaign websites. Obama certainly managed to secure a larger majority of Clinton's lost votes than McCain. He knew to directly address the Latino-Americans in his speeches. But that's not all. A largely poor community, the group is especially sensitive to questions of health insurance and the economy, and these are running themes in Obama's campaign. On top of that, Latinos are more than aware of their "mongrel" status, and they can relate to this mixed-race candidate who promises to break the black and white divide in America.
Some say that racism between Latinos and blacks could damage Obama's chances. On the contrary, I think that there's a certain solidarity between the two groups, and that could serve to his advantage."
Comments
Stop grouping all Latinos together
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 01/09/2008 - 12:19.I'm so tired of this, from our news agencies and practically everybody else in this country. Latinos, Hispanics, Latin Americans...whatever you wanna call them, are not a single group with a common identity. They do not have similar political leanings and they don't all even speak the same kind of Spanish! Some even speak Portugese!
Mexican-Americans or Chicanos, the largest group of Latinos in the US, predominate in the American Southwest (CA, AZ, NM, TX) and tend to vote Democrat due to historical experience with labor organizing and their own Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's (Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers). They were big Hillary voters and while Black-Chicano tensions are high in some parts of California (Southern California, especially) this group is composed heavily of recent immigrants and second generation Americans and will probably not back a GOP candidate based on immigration policies.
Puerto Ricans do not have to worry about immigration policies as Puerto Rico is a US territory. However, Puerto Ricans, who are most concentrated in Northeastern urban areas (NYC, Northern NJ, Philadelphia, Boston) tend to have less animosity towards the Black community, especially amongst the younger generation. Still, Puerto Rico did carry for Clinton in the Democratic Primary (as did heavily Puerto Rican precincts in NY and NJ), but it's doubtful that this historically Democratic voting block will cross over in any substantial numbers and vote for John McCain.
Dominicans, Cubans, Salvadorians, Guatemalans, Hondurans, Belizians, Columbians and other Hispanic groups are also represented in the United States and vote according to their own specific experiences. So to say the "Latino" vote will go this way or that is highly misleading and does not allow for nuance....
America and Assassinations?
Submitted by Musaubee (not verified) on Sat, 12/07/2008 - 22:54.Obama's plane emergency landing gave me flash backs! My mind was saying:What yall trying? What yall trying? What yall trying? Lincoln, King, Kennedy, John and Robert.Being that operation chaos,Yes American talk radio,boldly aired a song describing this tale for Obama! So my mind was racing,What yall trying?
What about Elian case?
Submitted by seeker (not verified) on Wed, 25/06/2008 - 08:32.You know that the two persons responsible for the forced return of Elian to Cuba are now the two major forces working for Obama.
Is that what you want?
Now the news uncovered that Elian is now member of Young Communists.
Want that? Please consider.
Went to America to fufil their Dreams but went to Communism
Submitted by seeker (not verified) on Wed, 25/06/2008 - 08:17.Review and study more about Obama! He has so many socialist stance!
You went to America for new life. If you change America like the country you came from, then what will happen?
Hope you change your mind. Italian mafia is a thing of the past. If you side with the Black radicals, do you think it will accord you some? That's what the Jews did that led to Holocaust.
In summary, "racism" and "cultural bias" is not the way forward. Your argument that because black are a minority, you will vote for black? That's how a great nation was destroyed as recorded in the History.
You don't know how much we are all blessed compared to other countries in the World.
McCain is right: You wouldn't love America until you are deprived of her company.
Changing America the way it is now will lead to greater dispair.
"Anti-Immigration candidate"
Submitted by Carlos Sagaz (not verified) on Wed, 18/06/2008 - 23:18.Actually, Senator John McCain "crossed the aisle" to helped craft the Immigration Bill with Senator Edward Kennedy so I doubt that Mr. McCain is "anti-immigration" as your subtitle suggests. Barack Hussein Obama's espousal of a broad amnesty is irresponsible as it does not guarantee a secure transition and will no doubt catch undesirables of foreign origin. Remembering that this website is French I need to comment that I intentionally Barack Hussein Obama - how long will it be until somebody with the a similar name is even considered an equal in France or allowed to run for office???? As a latino, I prefer McCain, and appreciate Mr. Obama's overtures. Please understand that being latino is hardly something monolithic.
The cuban caudillos can do what they want, they are no longer important as a cohort of the "latino vote" - as a South American NAFTA is something I find important to me - Democrats are against creating employment in the US and Colombia for example, by supporting NAFTA - there is a chance that increased economy can create more jobs. What a concept! As Latinos we should not let panderers dictate the crumbs they want to give us. We must make the Republicans or Democrats appreciate the value of our contribution to our wonderful country on a daily basis, not every 4 years.
Carlos
Race
Submitted by Matthew (not verified) on Wed, 18/06/2008 - 15:15.Why is it that so many people keep bringing up Obama's race? He cannot even decide what he is...black, white, Muslim, etc. and how it's going to effect various minorities voting habits. Sounds like people stirring up racism to me. If McCain went around reaffirming that he is white for his campaign tactic he would be labeled a racist skinhead. It's amazing how the flip-side of things work in this country.
Election Racisim
Submitted by El jefe (not verified) on Thu, 19/06/2008 - 14:53.Racisim between American Blacks & Hispanics is a fact of life. Just look at the politics of cities in Los Angeles, especially Compton where in South Los Angeles Hispanics now predominate except in politics. The resentment & bad feelings between the two groups is real. The negative treatment of Hispanics by Black Politicians is real. The blacks are not pro immigration reform as they see the definition as blanket amnesty. The schools in Los Angeles are on the verge of exploding in real violence because of the bad feelings between Blacks & Hispanics. Blacks in California really resent Hispanics as they have displaced them as the most recognized minority.
Obama although of Black/White heritage clearly chose Black as his identity & not only for political advantage. He chose to marry a Black Lady & apparently it feels more natural for him to side with the Black community as he even attends a Black Church. When he was asked about critizing the racist comments of his minister he hesitated & that delay shows the quandry he is in. At first he said he would not walk away from the minister & even went so far as comparing that to disowning his White Grandmother who raised him. In other words he showed he is conflicted about race having made choices (not unlike his mother) that are perhaps difficult for his White relatives. He surrounds himself & identifies with Black politicians some of whom are on the extreme left end merely because they support his Blackness. This is all about race & Obama only stands out as a Black first & a politician second. If he were more clearly identified with his White relatives no one would even pay attention to him. Obama is Black, he feels it gives him an advantage & he cannot divorce himself from it. Read his book & some of his greatest influence comes from Blacks he has encountered. It seems he has never met anyone from another race that has impressed him more than Blacks until now. Of course he will accept help & support from anyone that will help him reach his goal.
The most fearful thing of all is what I encountered recently in my business when a Black vendor asked me if I planned to vote for Obama. I replied I was not yet decided & he suggested I should strongly consider Obama because his race needs the money. ?? I was confused by his comment as I've known this man & have used his firm (he owns it as a minority contractor) over several years & I was shocked that many in the Black community believe that through Obama they will gain approval of reparations payments. I'm still in shock because of the source of the comment, a reasonably successful Black entrepreneur who drives a luxury vehicle & whom I have recommended to other friends & business people. Reparations is a surprise topic but it is being shunned as even a remote possibility as it could possibly undermine broad support for this candidate. Race is an issue and even a consideration for any thinking Hispanic during this election.
I really hope McCain win.
Submitted by J.E (not verified) on Wed, 18/06/2008 - 06:29.I really hope McCain win. Obama would help the cuban regime to stay in power. If we want to get rid of the Castro brothers, we need republicans.
Ha!
Submitted by Alexa (not verified) on Wed, 18/06/2008 - 09:07.As we can see from sixty years of refusing to negotiate with Cuba, this has worked extremely well. The communist authorities are still in power and the people there are poor and depressed. Great! Let's continue with Republican regimes in the US and maybe things will get even worse...
J.E, how on earth did you reach this conclusion?? I suppose you think refusing to talk with Iran is going to make them like the US too? Shun your enemies and wait for the backlash, instead of trying to reach some kind of negotiation and ease tensions.
Genius...
You fool. Keeping up
Submitted by Nathaniel (not verified) on Wed, 18/06/2008 - 16:02.You fool.
Keeping up pressure on Cuba is necessary, and will result in monumental change eventually, possibly after Castro dies.
I am anglo-American, but the fellow in the office next to mine is Cuban. He was at the Bay of Pigs when JFK, a typical democrat in his cowardice and foolishness, abandonned Cubans to die on the beach, thereby breaking his promise and that of our country.
We DO need Republicans, not socialists like Obama. One thing I will say for Obama: If he were elected and some of his idiot policies like the "Patriot Tax" were implemented, even American voters would stay away from silly Democrat promises for many years.