On Monday July 22, 2013, Omar Araiza published an article in
the Burnt Orange Report on Latinos voting in Texas. As Araiza states,
"immigration has been an important issue (especially in Texas) of
discussion lately and a huge headache to socially conservative Republicans.
From earlier talks in 2012 about "self-deportation", to President
Obama capturing over 70% of the Latino vote in 2012, and to now this year when
Congress has finally decided to address immigration reform." Immigration
tends to be an important issue with Latinos that also reflects the concerns of
Democrats. In other words, Latinos and other minority racial groups in Texas
have a tendency to be democratic. The Republican Party on the other hand aims
towards White Americans and the middle and higher class. To say that all
Republicans are White and rich and all Democrats are a minority and poor would
be stereotypical and false. This is where George P. Bush comes in the picture.
George P. Bush,
half White, half Latino, is the son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, nephew
of former President George W. Bush, and is running for office as Texas Land
Commissioner as a Republican. Araiza argues that Bush, because he is part
Latino, might actually be Republican's future hope of keeping the Latino vote competitive
in Texas since he is a candidate that is interacting with the Latino community
and making it seem like a member and a friend to the people. Overall, Latinos
account for two-thirds of Texas' growth over the past decade and is now about
38% of the State's population and would help the state continue to stay 'red'
if they get more votes from Latinos. But
I agree to Ariaiza’s conclusion, that “just because George P. Bush is Hispanic,
speaks Spanish, and has a well-known last name, doesn't mean he truly
represents the needs of the community.”
I feel that both
parties (Republicans and Democrats) can learn from George P. Bush’s actions by
interacting with the community and trying to understand what the people need
and want. But, a party and its electors must share the same common interests in
order to be successful. As of now, Texas
Latinos should continue to support the Democratic Party unless Republicans
change their values and include more minorities.
Link to the article: http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/13817/the-latino-vote-what-republicans-and-democrats-can-learn-from-george-p-bush
