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The Latino Vote in 2012

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    A look at the impact of the Latino vote after the 2012 elections.

  • Duration 5:27
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Well a closer look now at one of the most important voting blocs in our country and there are many of course but this is the one we're gonna concentrate on today the Hispanic vote.

Going largely for President Obama this year.

And a conference call yesterday governor Romney attributed that supports -- what he called the president some gifts to the Latino community -- free health care.

And the DREAM Act which gives -- path to citizenship for -- children of illegal immigrants so.

Which he ran -- -- what's the GOP need to do to be more competitive we're gonna talk about that in a moment -- some context for you Hispanics made up to 10%.

The US -- electorate this year doubling since the end of the Clinton administration.

The number of Latino voters rose to more than twelve million from eleven point four million in 2000 -- name.

And Republicans lost the Hispanic vote and vote both times.

I when you look at both of those elections so what lessons can be learned Fernando Monday is I worked on Hispanic -- media efforts for the Obama reelection.

Campaign and Mercedes -- is a former Spanish media spokeswoman for president George W.

Bush nice have you both with us today.

Thank you for having -- different and many think it Mitt Romney's comments.

Well I think it's it's indicative of why he had such a hard time winning the Hispanic vote.

As he needed to do in and as Republican Kansas joining us -- I think.

Hispanic voters were not giving gifts I think they were reacting to the policies of President Obama and how -- quality of life would have been and it benefited from them.

And I think it's a clear indication of where the Republican Party weeks ago let's not forget that in 2000 in 2004.

A lot of analysts attribute why the Republican Party was able to be successful and capture the presidency was due to much stronger Hispanic support.

Both Busch Brothers George W.

Bush and Jeb Bush understood and recognize that I think were very successful in I think what they -- ideologies got away from them.

And let's talk about that receives because you -- as part of the Bush Administration often 2004 is point is he right is like the bar.

A the F 44% of Hispanic vote and -- at the bar for Republicans only 44% of the Hispanic vote and what what do they do to get more.

Well we we definitely need to do more I think that what the successor President Bush came from his message of the compassionate conservative.

I mean he talked about in -- sense that.

You have to have the compassionate meaning to help the people but also insist on the part of the conservative for having accountability -- results.

So he really had an effort being that border.

Governor who understood the Hispanic population.

And in this administration and we took a very active role at looking at the policies -- how it affected.

These communities articulating it -- also look at the Latino community as well as reaching out to the Spanish press as well as cultivating relationships.

With leaders.

In all these different states where the Hispanic population has grown with growing at.

Are pretty industrial down on the message for a moment because the Wall Street Journal had -- editorial I'm just yesterday.

That said this polls regularly show that immigration is not a priority for Hispanic voters but how border policy is discussed.

Still matters as a threshold and symbolic issue so how was disgusted tone talk to us about that for an -- -- how you approach that.

In the president's campaign the tone of the message as much as what the message had to say.

Well I think part of the problem is since 2006 when the big debates over immigration -- take place.

The rhetoric from the Republican side to -- real nasty turn that a lot of Hispanics frankly.

Reacted with great offense to including I might -- Hispanic Republicans we saw that in the research over and over again.

And while you're correct to point out that.

The immigration issue was not the be all end all issue I think this election was much more about the economic issues which Hispanic voters indicated in both the exit polling was what motivated them they were very sensitive to how.

The Republican Party has acted over the last six years I think the Republican brand.

Has taken a hit away from the high watermark that the bush Brothers had helped establish in 2002000.

-- that's where the reflection is gonna happen.

Think placed second Mercedes and talk just a little bit just pick up on what -- had to say they're beating her seems to be a stereotype as well I don't know -- the stereotype of his troop with a net.

That immigration is the only thing.

-- on -- Hispanic voters care about.

Well no I mean little Latinos clearly said the economy was an incredibly important issue but immigration -- such a critical role.

First of all because Philly teams are coming from these countries looking to come to America for the land of opportunities that they can provide for their families.

That is where President Bush was very affected he took the lead on immigration reform back in 2006 and his first presidential.

A -- back in 2006 what it was on immigration reform where he laid out his plan and it was his own party some of them.

Folks in his own party that stopped it so it's been very unfortunate the tone that some of the Republicans have taken I gotta tell you I cringed in some of these.

Presidential primaries looking at the debates and seeing with what certain certain candidates had to say.

-- on immigration because at the end.

I -- -- -- we are immigrants so many we -- alarming it's a nation of immigrants and this is what we want immigrants bring economic growth to America it's what makes America great and that's a message that Republicans need to embrace.

-- into it was gonna be my final question about whether or not voting blocs have to be spoken to directly or whether it's about bigger bolder leadership.

For everybody so there is an umbrella where many blocks can come underneath we're gonna have to leave after next cents a hope what you come back and we'll talk more about it thank you so sure it's.

Thank -- great you have Fernando Mercedes with -- today we'll be right back with more news here.

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