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GOP Hurting Itself With Latinos

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 2, 2007

For the second time this year, most Republican presidential candidates are refusing to participate in an event designed to attract a significant Latino audience.

Only Arizona Sen. John McCain agreed to attend the Sept. 16 debate sponsored by Univisión, which was planned for translation into Spanish. The others begged off, blaming 'scheduling conflicts.' The Spanish-language broadcaster still hopes to find another date in the fall.

Don't count on it. This slate of candidates seems to be avoiding events that put them on the spot with Latinos.

Earlier this summer, they also shunned an Orlando forum hosted by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, again citing scheduling conflicts.

The Democrats seem to have no problem making time in their schedules for Latino voters. Univisión's Sept. 9 Democratic debate is on.

Talk about a missed opportunity for Republicans.

Polls show Latinos tend to agree with the GOP's conservative stances on social, economic and education issues, and with the moderate wing of the party on immigration reform.

Latinos made it clear in the 2006 mid-term election that they were not particularly happy with the choices in either party and that they would be discerning voters in future elections. Last fall, Democrats won the Florida Hispanic vote for the first time in 30 years - a message that Latino voters cannot be taken for granted anywhere.

The appointment of Florida Sen. Mel Martinez as GOP chairman was supposed to shore up the Republican Party's standing with Latinos, but so far, he has made little progress. Martinez worries, rightfully so, that the party is squandering its opportunity with this fastest-growing segment of the electorate.

A cold shoulder is hard to shrug off. If candidates refuse to show up at major Latino forums, they shouldn't expect Latinos to show up for them on Election Day.

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