patrick.net

The results indicate that Barack won the latino vote 71% to 29%. This 41% spread is rather impressive especially considering that "on paper" the reps should have an advantage with latino demographic on a couple of values issues. Abortion remains extremely unpopular amongst latinos due to catholicism. Overall as a group, particularly amongst older latinos, gay marriage is not exactly the issue that gets their support. Additionally, regarding "family values" Latinos actually practice it as opposed to talking about it. So based on these advantages the reps should have carried the demographic 66% vs 34% at least. A swing of 71% vs 29% the other way represnts nothing short of historic collapse give the intangibles - in fact the political strategist for the reps should probably be fired. There is no other way to explain this collapse other than to explain it in a way that the latinos must have been so alienated by the recent statement of republican party via xenophobia and red meat pandering towards white conservatives by being blamed for immigration and taking american jobs that they voted against their natural positions on social issues. This is an indictment on how xenophobic the republican party can come across to various ethnic groups. As such I fully expect that the next rep presidential and/or vice presidential candidate to be a minority. That is what the reps will likely do in an attempt to fracture the minority vote in the next election - rubio, jindal, playa cain will have a prominent role in next cycle.

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