The need and rise of the Latino/Hispanic Independent Voter in 2012

By DeeDee Garcia Blase

This will be my last entry as  “Arizona Hispanic Republicans” for the Tucson Citizen. I will now be writing under the HISPANIC POLITICO.

SOMOS REPUBLICANS.

As many of you might already know, I have stepped down as President of SOMOS REPUBLICANS – the largest Hispanic Republican group in the nation.  It became the biggest because we grew out of crisis and we were the only ones in the nation who advocated for Immigrant and Latino Rights.  SOMOS became nationally known when we rebuked Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and State Senator Russell Pearce for demonizing immigrants and Latinos. SOMOS remains in good hands as I have ensured that the organization will not be hijacked by Tea Party extremists and anti-Immigrant supporters.

It’s time for  me to divorce the Republican Party, and go an Independent and new direction.

As many of you might already know, I am an Independent registered voter now.  I will vote in the Republican primaries for the sole purpose of weeding out the worst Republicans.  As an Independent voter who will vote in Republican primaries….I get to vote for the most immigrant friendly GOPers as feasibly possible.  Before you laugh at that, realize what effect we could have as a bunch of Latino Independents and how we could actually bring about some upsets for restrictionists and isolationists in both parties.

THE NATIONAL TEQUILA PARTY MOVEMENT.

I am ready to unleash my passions within the National Tequila Party Movement.  That’s where the real power is at because I get to work with the broader political spectrum and people across the nation during a time in which Latino Republican voter strength continues to dwindle.  Little do people know how the Tequila Party (where most members and leaders are of Mexican descent) will turn into a type of an American Party because we are the compassionate ones who remember that immigrants made this nation great.  We are the ones who still believe that the United States is that Shining City on a Hill and we still believe we are a beacon to the whole world.  The Tequila Party will prove that Latinos are just as patriotic as any other ethnic class because we know we have shed our blood, too, in American wars.  It is not the fault of Hispanics for leaving the GOP.  Latino Republicans are dwindling because of Republican extremists like Tom Tancredo, J.D. Hayworth, Russell Pearce, Jan Brewer, Pete Wilson, Joe Arpaio, Marco Rubio (Latino Republican who is anti-immigrant), Lamar Smith, Steve King, Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, Sharron Angle, Virgil Peck, and so one.

THE POWER IS WITH THE PEOPLE.

I have known it all along:  The key to 2012 is to motivate Latinos to vote.  In fact, I believe 2012 will be the year of the Hispanics when we vote in droves because we are fed up.   They should not feel disgruntled about the status quote, but instead be glad with the rising population numbers in our class as we look ahead and take matters into our own hands.  We have the power to change the course of this country.  We want to revive the American Revolution and we are not afraid of immigrants because we know immigrants made this country a great one. We are in control of our destinies to a point.  We should continue to change what is in our power to change, and that means we need to vote more assertively.  If Latinos don’t vote, it is our own fault for the situation that we are in.  If only Latinos could play the political game the way we play soccer and how passionate and strategic we are about futbol.

WHY INDEPENDENT?

Being an Independent voter puts us in a “free agent” type of status.  Both parties have to work harder to woo us and this is a good position for us to be in, particularly when the Party we might have ‘believed in’ took advantage of our votes.  As more of us become registered Independent voters, both parties will tread carefully on issues that are near and dear to our hearts like the broken immigration system and our wanting to fix it.  It doesn’t stop at immigration, we look ahead at securing our interests via redistricting issues, and ensuring fairness to that regard.

More importantly, an Independent voter recognizes how the far right and the far left are truly ruining this country.  There needs to be more Independent voters to moderate policy discussion so that we can bring this nation back on the right course.  The right course is being able to work across the aisle.  Federal lawmakers need to take care of American business.  We need to be united on the tough issues and not be for government shut downs and etc.

MALCOM X.

We ought to learn a small lesson from Malcolm X  specifically regarding his views during Civil Rights era for African-Americans to become Independent Voters.  But, substitute Civil Rights era with the Immigrant / Latino Rights era in today’s climate.

Little did I know how accurate X was on pushing for the Independent voter to influence POLICY ISSUES.  Latinos should should learn from this specifically as it relates to the immigration issue and fixing what we all know is broken.

In order for Latinos to push for IMMIGRATION FIXES, we must get more involved. As more of us register as Independents. This will force R’s and D’s in a position to work harder for our votes and they will not be able to predict our voting behavior. This is good for them not to predict and take advantage of us. Both sides must work on fixing the broken immigration voters.

We have just learned that CNN will be at Saturday’s discussion and debate to film Daryl Williams on the FIRESIDE on IMMIGRATION / ARIZONA COMPACT.

We have not heard from Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce.  He must not believe this issue is important to the people of Arizona and certainly to the LDS community in Mesa, Arizona.

4 day countdown to FIRESIDE on IMMIGRATION and ARIZONA COMPACT discussion between prominent Republican Daryl Williams and Arizona Senator Russell Pearce

Subject: Fwd: Mesa Discussion Invitation (Daryl Williams CC’ed)
From: info@somosrepublicans.com
Date: Wed, Nov 02, 2011 1:29 pm
To: rpearce@azleg.gov, “Daryl M. Williams”
Cc: Jose Penalosa, SGallardo@azleg.gov

Dear Senator Russell Pearce,

We still have not heard from you. We are assuming the FIRESIDE ON
IMMIGRATION and the ARIZONA COMPACT is not important enough to you to
render a response. We believe this issue is extremely important to
Arizonans and to the people of Mesa. We hope you are planning on
attending this coming Saturday, but we have not heard from you. Please
let us know, one way or another, whether you will be there. Also, let
us know if you need any audio visual or other equipment.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

DeeDee Garcia Blase
Founder, SOMOS REPUBLICANS
www.somosrepublicans.com

Mitt Romney makes Jon Huntsman look like a saint…er…Joseph Smith. But what does Mitt Romney and extremist Russell Pearce have in common?

Allow me to number them:

1. Both are members of the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS), and they continue to give the Mormon church a bad image in advocating for “Operation Wetback” type of policies.  Those uncompassionate views are not in alignment with what the UTAH COMPACT.  In fact the Mormon Church is on the record for supporting principles of the UTAH COMPACT.
2. Both have extreme ideas with their large government ideas as they support e-verify policies that put an additional burden on small businesses as it adds another level of bureaucracy.
3. Both seem to have campaign workers that will manage to find Latinos to do their dirty work for them.  Romney appears to use Marco Rubio.  While Russell Pearce supporters take advantage of Olivia Cortes.

Quote me:

Mitt Romney’s continued anti-immigrant and and anti-Latino rhetoric since he ran against Senator John McCain will send the REPUBLICAN PARTY to  levels of Hispanic voter support that predates the Ronald Reagan era. 

Mitt Romney supports Cuban amnesty (Cuban-Americans make up 3% of the total Hispanic population pie), but he damns the rest of the Latinos and Mexican-Americans and will not even support fixing the broken immigration system.  (Mexican-Americans make up almost 70% of the total Latino population pie).   Since Romney cannot do basic math, he will reap what he sows and receive only 3% of the Latin vote when things come full circle.  He is an “amnesty” hypocrite and apparently nobody told him that the birthers and nativists are already attacking Cuban constituents.

Do these Republican Presidential candidates not know they are hurting the Republican Party with their continued rhetoric?  Start popping the popcorn so we can watch how Romney will get what he deserves for demonizing the immigrants yet taking a hypocritical stance with regard to supporting Cuban amnesty.

Mitt Romney continues to use a failed strategy that he used against Senator John McCain during the 2008 Republican Presidential Primaries.  Romney’s salaciousness continues, and I remember oh too  well his continued anti-immigrant tactics since before 2008. I just cannot forget how he puts a failed populist approach in demonizing a group of people.  And it is people like Mitt Romney that will continue to cause Latinos to flee the Republican Party.

Mitt Romney has crossed the line and has gone beyond the point of no return with Latino community organizers and leaders.

In this linked video,  Romney has the audacity to paint Mexico President Vicente Fox in a negative light.  Keep in mind that Mitt Romney is not acting like a good chief in command.  He is not going to be a good leader if he uses wedge issues against a good trading partner of ours, in fact,   Mexico’s GDP is growing faster than the United Sates and is still a good trading partner of the United States. For Romney to use Fox in the manner he has in the video against Rick Perry is reprehensible.

Ronald Reagan’s amnesty program is the direct result of increased Latino Republican voters, but the likes of Mitt Romney, Herman Cain (advocating deadly electric fences), and Michele Bachmann’s horrific un-pro life remarks as she uses defamatory and offensive terms like “anchor babies” will cause Latinos to flee the GOP.

Both President Ronald Reagan and President George W. Bush received more than 40 percent of the Hispanic vote in their reelection campaigns. Some analysts note that a Republican needs to receive 40 percent of the Latino vote to win the presidency. In fact, for many candidates in 2010, failing to engage the Latino voter cost them the election. So those who appeal to Latino voters early stand a better chance of ending strong.

Mitt Romney will be lucky to get double digit support from Latinos as we fully intend to equate him to Russell Pearce and Joe Arpaio of Arizona.  In fact, Romney made it a point to make Arpaio his chair when he ran against John McCain in 2008.

The best chances the Republican has to have some level of Hispanic support is via Newt Gingrich or Rick Perry.  And, that’s the bottom line, folks.

Women and their compassion is shining through with deep love for the immigration cause.  Margaret, a leader of the National Tequila Party Movement writes a heart felt letter in response to the horrid remarks of 2012 Presidential Candidate, Herman Cain.  She epitomizes what a fighting Irish is all about.

I asked Margaret to send me a photo in addition to the letter she wrote.  While I was waiting for that, I decided to take a  quick break…and I saw a butterly fly outside…and it was a tender moment.  When I got back to my computer, Margaret sent me a sybolic photo of an Irish butterfly.  I thought that was amazing.

Proud Irish American Reacts to Herman Cain’s Immigrant Vitriol

By Margaret Reyes

(An immigration,community and victim’s rights advocate.)

As a proud Irish American, living in the United States, it saddens me greatly to hear the violent and heartless rhetoric espoused by those running for the opportunity to be the leader of one of the greatest nation in the world. A nation, mind you, built on immigrants.  This country was built on the blood, sweat, tears and bones of those that came here looking for a better life, for themselves and their families.

We are a nation of immigrants, and our history has not always such a proud one.  From the time when the first Europeans landed on these shores, it has been a battle for dominance and resources against the First-Americans and at the newly arrived immigrants. The immigrants that arrived here first, then tried to deny the same opportunity to the immigrants that came later, or to immigrants that they looked down upon already, whether for reasons of culture or religion.

Whatever nativist group sprung up, the Know-Nothings, the Klu Klux Klan, and now their ideological descendants; FAIR, Numbers USA, and ALIPAC, are trying the same old methods to destroy, deter and demean the new group of immigrants. However, our neighbors to the South have been here for quite some time and their history and culture permeates the United State in place names, surnames, food and music.   Remarkably, most of Hispanics have been for hundreds of years and are an integral part of the United States.

When we draw parallels between the Immigrant Irish of the Potato Famine years and the new immigrants from south of the border, we see an amazing similarity in how they are perceived and in the war against them conducted by the nativists.  Both groups are portrayed as sub-human by these hate groups.  Both groups have had religion used against them, both face strict immigration  restrictions on the numbers allowed in, both were considered lower in intelligence and ability than the dominant population, both demonized for the ills and troubles affecting the current population.  Denied jobs, rights, education, accused of being unwilling or unable to learn the dominant language or culture, they are relegated to menial labor and poor working conditions.

But, and there is a big BUT here, they survived and most importantly, they succeeded.  In law, in politics, in religion, in education and in government, they have given us some of our greatest leaders, humanitarians and scientists.  And during all this, the nativist hatred and chatter has sometimes grown loud and strong and sometimes been silenced and relegated to where it belongs – in the outhouse.

The lessons in history surrounding this issue is this: the nativists have always, ultimately, lost. It was true for the past and will be true again for the future.  If the only rhetoric one has, in promoting themselves as a potential leader, is a desire to trample rights so dearly treasured, deny access to those less fortunate, and demonizes an entire race or religion, then that person is not and never will be fit to be a leader.

The future is now. The things we do now, will decide how we are viewed by history. If we give in to those that would advocate violence, deny basic human necessities and think this is what the American people want, we have lost.  I have more faith in America than this. I believe that the truth and what is right will ultimately prevail, it might be a rough road, but both the Irish and the Latino populations have both been down this road before, and what does not destroy us, only made us stronger.  The nativists would do well to remember that fact.

Since when did the Latter Day Saints (LDS) Church support State Senator Russell Pearce’s stance on SB 1070?  Pearce is lying about the Mormon position on immigration and it’s time to set the record straight.  The LDS community supports the UTAH COMPACT, and Pearce does not.  He told several witnesses at a Tea Party gathering that he does NOT support the Utah Compact.  If Pearce supported the Utah Compact, then why hasn’t he returned our numerous calls when we asked him to support the Arizona Compact which has precisely the same language as the Utah Compact.

Pearce is lying, and he continues to destroy the image of the Mormon Church.  So is Mitt Romney, who is a member of the LDS Church.  Mitt Romney is on the record for wanting to send all the undocumented immigrants back to the where they came from.  Extremist, Russell Pearce and Mitt Romney are unmerciful towards fellow mankind.

From SOMOS REPUBLICANS:

Latino GOP Group Blasts Russell Pearce for Latter Day Saints (LDS) / Mormon Statement

 

For Immediate Release

13 October 2011

 

Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce appears to be mendacious about the stance of the LDS Community.  Indeed Russell Pearce told Tea Party supporters in Mesa, Arizona he does not support the Utah Compact in front of numerous witnesses.

We support the Arizona Compact which is precisely modeled after the Utah Compact, and we have already secured a State Senate sponsor to this regard; however, if Russell Pearce supports the Utah Immigration stance, then why hasn’t Russell Pearce responded to SOMOS when we asked him to support the Arizona Compact?  It is common knowledge that there was very strong LDS Utah support behind the Utah Compact. It is unfortunate that Russell Pearce continues to give Mormons a bad image with his non-compassionate stance against Latinos and immigrants.    The LDS community thrives from their missionary work in Latin America, and Pearce is destroying the hard work of LDS missionaries and their image.

We hope to see Prophet of Latter Day Saints Church (LDS) — Thomas S Monson and the Mormon Church support the Arizona Compact to undo the damage Russell Pearce is creating for the LDS image.  We have sent an email to the LDS church asking them to support the ARIZONA COMPACT, but we have not heard any response yet.

In this video, Russell Pearce claims that the LDS church supports his anti-immigration stance and re-election bid.  We hope to see the LDS leaders respond to this untruth forthwith.

 

The “end may as well be near”, since it has been discovered a GOP Presidential candidate will join Occupy Wall Street.

You hardly hear about him in the news, but it’s true. Buddy Roemer, a 2012 Presidential Candidate is joining Occupy Wall Street. Very strange and controversial indeed, especially when Mitt Romney (another 2012 Presidential Candidate) considers it “dangerous” to Occupy Wall Street. Of course, we all know that Mitt Romney is the epitome of Wall Street.

Here is the story:

Buddy Roemer joining Occupy Wall Street protest

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/65526.html#ixzz1aPclt2X8

The Christian Post understands the political risks the GOP Presidential Candidates are considering when they are wanting to boycott UNIVISION over Senator Marco Rubio. Marco Rubio has fractured relationships between Cubans (consists of 3% of total Hispanic population) and the largest Hispanic ethnic group (those of Mexican descent accounting for almost 70% of Hispanic population).

From the Christian Post:

The candidates who are boycotting Univision are “committing Hispanic political suicide,” Blase said. “Univision is the number-one Spanish network in the nation,” and “the lifeline of Hispanic media.”

Blase said Somos Republicans was already upset with Rubio for saying that he does not support “amnesty” for illegal immigrants, because, as a Cuban-American, his family has already benefited from an amnesty-like government program.

Republican candidates who support the boycott, “are trying to appease the Cuban-American population” at the expense of the rest of the Latino community, Blase said.

“Do they want to go after the 3 percent (Cuban-American population, prominent in Florida) or do they want to go after the 70 to 75 percent (Mexican-American population, prominent in the Southwest)? That is what I see taking place with their moronic move, fighting Univision,” Blase said.

Read more of the story here.

Republican Presidential candidates are committing political suicide with Latino voters in the entire southwest.  Asking UNIVISION to reverse exposing Sen. Marco Rubio’s hypocrisy would be like asking Cubanos in Florida to boycott the Cuban Adjustment Act.

The GOP Candidates are cutting off their noses to spite their faces with their ideas of boycotting UNIVISION because UNIVISION is the largest Spanish network in the country. All President Obama has to do is spend more money in marketing to the fastest and largest minority demographic in the nation via UNIVISION. GOPers are limiting themselves to a small Floridian portion as you take a look at the big picture and as you take a look at where most Hispanics reside. GOP Candidates are risking the entire southwest for the one state of Florida even though most of the Latin growth comes from the southwest – not Florida.

GOP candidates cannot appease the TEA PARTY and Latinos at the same time, particularly when many within the Tea Party (such as Sen. Marco Rubio) have supported harsh anti-immigrant laws. The only way out of this toxic mess is for Republicans to address the broken immigration system with a free market solution in which they claim to stand for. This further demonstrates to me how fearful all GOP Presidential candidates are of the immigration issue except for the former New Mexico Governor – Gary Johnson.

GOP Candidates must learn that Rubio created a wedge between Cuban and Mexican relations when he supported Arizona’s harsh law and voiced against the DREAM Act. Rubio has been disingenuous in claiming he is against “amnesty” while his own Floridian and Cuban immigrants have benefitted from Cuban amnesty as well as tax payer government funded benefits once their foot touches dry American soil.

Those of Mexican descent are not asking for government benefits, they are simply asking for a reasonable solution to the broken immigration system.

I watched the 2012 Presidential Candidate GOP debate on Cinco de Mayo, and I must tell you that I was not really encouraged with the candidates except for one – former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson.   Gary is a fellow at CATO Institute and he comes with considerable economic Libertarian experience.  He can crunch numbers, do a cost benefit analysis on our suffering economy, and is probably one of the most Capitalistic thinkers out of the bunch.  However, his abortion views are something I cannot support during the primary election phase.  Mitt Romney lost the 2008 primary election to McCain when Romney’s video of his “oath to protect a woman’s right to choose” played over and over again via social networks.

How can I sell the Republican Party Presidential Candidate to Latinos in light of the past year where GOPers have introduced harsh anti-immigrant laws that swept the nation?  Most Latinos in our nation have been affected in some form or another because they knew of someone or a relative who was being deported.  President Obama has deported more undocumented immigrants than George W. Bush.

How did the other GOP Presidential candidates perform in the debate?

I believe Rick Santorum is a no-go because he has extremism stamped on his forehead.  Rick Santorum’s 2006 campaign was aimed against President George W. Bush’s legal immigration plan.

Herman Cain seems to be a no-go because he is not the most polished speaker to begin with.  Put him up against Obama and we’re done.

Tim Pawlenty is okay, but am skeptical.  Ron Paul?  He made us laugh.

Before the debate, I have been keenly following Jon Huntsman who was the former Governor of Utah.  He is good looking, wealthy, and an experienced individual who has been living in China as the ambassador of China under the Obama administration.

I was relieved to hear Huntsman opposes abortion and is a 2^nd amendment advocate.  Some have stated that Mitt Romney would pose a hurdle to him but this is not so.  Mitt Romney gave his oath to protect a woman’s right to choose, remember?  Therefore, Huntsman wouldn’t have to worry because some of the most reliable primary election GOP voters are those from the pro life movement. 

Sounds good so far, right?  Not quite.  I’m uncomfortable with Huntsman recruiting McCain’s former advisors.  Once Latinos find out about this, they will be quickly reminded of McCain’s opposition to the DREAM Act in 2010.  McCain soon became an  ex-amigo with the Latino community, and if I had a suggestion to give to Mr. Huntsman it would be for him to seek Karl Rove’s strategic political advice instead.  President George W. Bush obtained 44% of the Latino vote during the 2004 Presidential elections.   McCain only received 31%.  The goal for the 2012 GOP Presidential Candidate is to lock in at least 40% of the Latin vote to receive enough electoral votes.

One thing that Huntsman has to his favor with regard to increasing the Latin vote is the recent immigrant-friendly stance led by the Latter Day Saints (LDS) of Jesus Christ when the church helped to introduce the Utah Compact.  Huntsman could say that President Obama abandoned the Latinos who voted him in 2008 when he failed to deliver his immigration promise.  State legislators have been screaming for immigration reform across the nation as they introduce their isolationist unconstitutional laws, but the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed that the immigration issue is the job of the federal government (under the Supremacy Clause) to which Obama has failed to act upon.

Some pundits have made the mistake by saying  Latinos will not be motivated to vote during the 2012 Presidential Elections, however, this was before the recent announcement of the National Tequila Party Movement in which concerts, events, rallies and dinners will motivate Latinos in all high Hispanic populated states to be consistent Primary election voters as well as general election voters.

I have a feeling that 2012 will be the year of the Latin-American.  And I am not talking about this in a Mayan/Aztec calendar sense.  Nay, I’m talking in a ‘vote the issue’ sense where both Latino Republicans and Latino Democrats are proving to be autonomous and pernickety type of voters.

Something to think about.