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GOP Is Chasing Away Latino Voters

Immigration policy hurting party, says American Prospect

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Aug 16, 2007 5:56 AM CDT

(Newser) – With 69% of Latino voters going Democratic in 2006, anti-immigration sentiment among GOP presidential hopefuls may only serve to turn off the remaining 30. Meanwhile, the Latino population is growing, especially in swing states. "Even Texas could become a swing state a couple of elections from now," the American Prospect's Paul Waldman writes.

Republican candidates, though, seem more interested in talking about building walls and making English the official language than courting the Hispanic population, a strategy that could leave a lasting scar on the party's image. Once the GOP settles on a nominee, Waldman writes, don't be surprised to see him avoid immigration in an attempt to make up ground.

Supporters of immigration rights gather at a demonstration outside of the Waukegan City Council meeting in Waukegan, Ill. on Monday, July 16, 2007. A proposal that could lead to local police enforcing federal immigration laws has galvanized activists on both sides of the issue in this city north of Chicago....
Supporters of immigration rights gather at a demonstration outside of the Waukegan City Council meeting in Waukegan, Ill. on Monday, July 16, 2007. A proposal that could lead to local police enforcing...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani, holds up a card as an example of what a federal identification card should be like, as he speaks on his plans to change immigration policy at a town hall meeting in Columbia, S.C., Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007. Mitt Romney accuses former Giuliani of...
Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani, holds up a card as an example of what a federal identification card should be like, as he speaks on his plans to change immigration policy at a town hall...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during the Iowa Straw Poll, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, in Ames, Iowa. Romney accuses former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani of making his city a haven for illegal immigrants. Giuliani denies it, insisting he cracked down on lawlessness of every kind....
Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during the Iowa Straw Poll, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, in Ames, Iowa. Romney accuses former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani of making...   (Associated Press)
A group containing republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney peruse a portion of the new border fence separating the United States from Mexico from an area known as Russian Hill during a visit Monday  Aug. 13, 2007 in San Diego.   (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
A group containing republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney peruse a portion of the new border fence separating the United States from Mexico from an area known as Russian...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney stands in front of the fence separating the United States from Mexico while answering questions concerning his immigration policy during a visit Monday  Aug. 13, 2007 in San Diego.  Romney is flanked by campaign aide Tony Strickland, left, and Calif. State Senator...
Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney stands in front of the fence separating the United States from Mexico while answering questions concerning his immigration policy...   (Associated Press)
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