Thread: Latino vote hinges on immigration policies

http://www.news8austin.com/content/your ... rID=173363

Latino vote hinges on immigration policies
10/27/2006 8:18 AM
By: News 8 Austin Staff


Bush signs the fence law bill on Thursday.
Hector Nieto's convinced the Texas Democratic Party represents Hispanics better than Republicans.

"Our issues are their issues," Nieto said.

It's the other way around, Damaris Barton, with Republican Party of Texas, said.

"It's especially important to us in the Republican Party, the Hispanic vote, because they share our values," Barton said.

Each party points to its platform on issues that concern Latinos.

"It's Texas Democrats that have been fighting hard for issues like health care, like education. Just trying to raise the lifestyle of Hispanic families here in Texas," Nieto said.

"They believe in the values of life, of family, of personal responsibility," Barton said.

But this election season, another issue seems to be taking the spotlight. And it has to do with President Bush's signing of new legislation Thursday. The new law approves a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.


Congressman Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, represents a district with a large Hispanic population.

"Many people are concerned about securing our borders for legitimate reasons. But some people have picked this up as an anti-Mexican or anti-Hispanic view and I think that has really turned off many Hispanic voters," Doggett said. "I represent today, more Hispanics than anyone else in the county because my district goes all the way to Mexico."

The Republican Party of Texas disagrees.

"Interestingly, we're finding that Hispanics as much as anyone else are against illegal immigration. They came over legally and they want other people to have that same opportunity, but to do it in the right way," Barton said.

A recent survey by the nonpartisan Latino Coalition shows almost two of every three registered Latino voters said they would be less likely to support a congressman who made illegal immigration a felony. But that still leaves 30 percent of Latino registered voters who would approve the measure; those votes would be a coup for either party.

A recent survey by the nonpartisan Latino Coalition shows almost two of every three registered Latino voters said they would be less likely to support a congressman who made illegal immigration a felony. But that still leaves 30 percent of Latino registered voters who would approve the measure; those votes would be a coup for either party.

That's 30% that would approve of making it a felony!!! I wonder what the percentage against illegal immigration is??? More than 50%, I bet! And these idiots keep pandering to the pro-illegals! Amazing!