Juan McCain donde estas y quien eres en realidad? Where do you really stand?
Washington, DC, _ The longest and earliest presidential primary season in history has turned out a few surprises including the most money ever raised, the oldest nominee ever chosen, an African-American (and white) nominee for the first time ever but these were not the newest or most often cited top newsmaker of the season. It has been and will continue to be the coming of age for the Latino vote all across the country.
The turnout of Latinos has been referenced; spot and high lighted more this campaign year than all other years combined. For the first time the major media has given extensive national coverage of Hispanics and the vital role they’ve played in the nomination process.
This young phenomena is the result of a fast growing group of new Americans maturing as a community, protecting itself against anti-Latino slurs and sentiments, and a Spanish language media that has itself come of age and has taken a lead in pushing civic engagement as a way of life and a key to respect, better education and prosperity.
Now we have this fellow John McCain whose track record suggests he is good on Latino issues and respects the Hispanic contribution to the melting pot experience. The next Latino story across the nation will be less about immigration and sentiment and more about who is going to capture their minds, hearts and votes. Hillary Clinton is the only candidate so far who “gets it” when it comes to Latinos who she can thank for keeping her afloat this long in her “never say die” or give up quest.
Since the anti-Latino bashing party and its take no prisoners talk show allies started what amounts to drive Latinos out of the country and any due processes (by the way guys its way too late, your nietos will marry Latinos and speak Spanish) Latinos have been registering 3:1 Democrat and voting along those same lines. McCain will find some middle ground language to assuage his party base but the heavier lift will be to convince Latinos he won’t sell them out when the talk show hosts start bashing him as weak on immigration and other important issues.
He knows that the word immigration is code for Latinos, brown skin and accents no matter the citizenship. LosEstadosLatinos believes McCain will appeal to the patriotism and family values that are inherently Latino. He will need to come up with a Latino team of advocates that can credibly communicate his message of esperanza. For him this will be the tough part. The good news is this is a Latino electoral season like no other and we are going to be invited to both parties.
