The Latino Vote

The Latino vote will play a crucial role in the 2012 presidential election especially in the swing states of Colorado, Nevada, Arizona and yes-my home state AKA the "hanging chad" state of Florida. The Latino vote has been the deciding factor in several close national elections in the state of Florida including the infamous Gore vs. Bush election. Due to this, both parties have already started courting Latinos in several states. Rolling out the red carpet so to speak. Both candidates had round table discussions this past week with Latino voters and leaders. The republican strategy-appeal to their pockets. Stress what they feel is a failure of the President to improve the economy. The national unemployment rate for Hispanics is 11%-higher than the roughly 8-9% for the general public.They will also remind them of President Obama's failure to pass his promised immigration reform. The irony of that is they are the reason the DREAM act failed to move through Congress. The DREAM act allows for certain undocumented children and adults up to age 26 to seek citizenship through several paths including education and military service. The democratic party on the other hand will remind Latinos of the improving economy, republican protests to immigration reform and the President will re pledge to passing legislation in his next term.

What fascinates me most about the Latino vote, especially since I live in Florida, is the Cuban American vote. Cuban Americans tend to vote republican compared to Mexican and Puerto Ricans who overwhelmingly vote democratic. But why? I have heard many theories. First of all, the subject close to heart for many Latino voters is immigration reform. This is not a factor for Cubans based on the wet foot dry foot policy. Any Cuban who reaches American soil is allowed to stay in the country since they are fleeing a communist regime. Other theories are as follows. Latinos feel that historically republicans have had a more anti Castro, pro embargo stance against Cuba. There is also the older generation that remembers the failed Bay of Pigs invasion by democratic President-John F. Kennedy. Then in 1983 President Reagan visited Miami wearing a guayabera (Latin style shirt) and addressed the crowd in Spanish. A street in Little Havana was soon named after the President. And who can forget the Elian Gonzalez drama in 2000. Our democratic president, Bill Clinton, authorized the raid and return of Elian to his biological father in Cuba. President Clinton's approval ratings dropped in the Cuban community as a result.

In the end, most polls show that for voters of all races and backgrounds, the economy is their main concern and determining factor in how they will cast their votes. Other top issues include health care and education. For Latinos whose friends and family members are affected by immigration laws and policies, immigration reform will also be a consideration. For Cuban Americans, pollsters find that while the older generation primarily votes republican due to the factors listed above, the younger generation is more concerned about matters here on American soil vs toppling and punishing an aging dictator on an island they have never seen.

Thoughts?