The statistics released by the Census Bureau last week demonstrated - unarguably - that America's Hispanic population has grown dramatically, which is very bad news for the GOP.
Hispanics now account for 16 percent of the nations total population, making them the largest minority in America.
And in an astounding finding, almost one quarter of the nations children under 17 are now Latino.
For a Republican strategist, reading these numbers must be like looking down into the Grand Canyon: vertiginous and possibly overwhelming. Having used immigration as a wedge issue for decades, the GOP must be kicking themselves now. Demographics are handy vote getters in the short run, but they can come back to haunt you in the long one.
In 2011 implacable opposition to immigration reform (any reform, anywhere, ever) is practically the first commandment of the Tea Party platform and consequently of mainstream Republicanism and it is already costing them dearly with this demographic.
Just look at where the Hispanic population grew by 100 percent (or more) between 2000 and 2010: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee. The heart of the south isn't looking as reliably red as it did even a decade ago.
For a GOP strategist that's a bit like discovering Democratic land mines planted all over reliably red states. And in California, Florida, New York and Texas - the states with the highest Hispanic populations - Latinos will soon account for 143 electoral votes.
It would help if GOP voters were in a conciliatory mood, but lets face it the Tea Party has managed to turn even Donald Trump into a gay-bashing birther. It will clearly do the same or nearly for every other GOP candidate - who in 2012 will be forced to compete to outdo each other to become the most reactionary candidate running. Recall how the Irish watched, with sorrow and disbelief, as John McCain morphed from immigration reformer to a hardliner as soon as he saw his numbers dip. It will be that way again.
That spells no quarter whatsoever for immigration reform, which in turn means no progress whatsoever for Hispanics.
It would be hard not to notice all the issues ranged against them. Hispanic voters have decried Arizona's draconian immigration laws, which they rightly consider racial profiling. They hear the shocking disrespect for their community regularly voiced on Fox News and Rush Limbaugh's programs. And the nation may have forgotten, but they themselves remember the fate of the Dream Act.
They know how they are talked about and treated. It’s inevitable they will remember that when they vote too.
43 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.maloney | Apr 21, 2011, 12:32 AM EDT
beaner loving roohumper.
dipperloop | Apr 14, 2011, 07:44 PM EDT
My God Cahir you are so clueless and i must say you sound like a liberal democrat....
seanomelbourne | Apr 09, 2011, 08:01 PM EDT
Moloney you you chicken brain if you have nothing to offer to civil debate just crawl back into your trashy trailer and suck another bottle of moonshine.
maloney | Apr 09, 2011, 02:19 PM EDT
Illegal aliens are lesser human beings. I've yet to meet a one that was as tall as I am. Chevy...don't be concerned with the childish prattle of seano..he's a roohumper...he slithers on his belly to catch em. The rest of rooland animals are safe, the roohumper hasn't learned to climb yet.
seanomelbourne | Apr 08, 2011, 08:01 PM EDT
Branding economic refugees as criminals is emotive and is just another way to dehumanize them. It somehow assuages the guilt if they are branded as lesser human beings.
rpmschevy | Apr 06, 2011, 01:04 AM EDT
First where was insult other than pointing out that you simply throw insults around without making any case, logical or otherwise. You feel insulted because I call you out? Second what childish language? Again you wish to insult without facts. Standard liberal fair. Third, definition of criminal, Noun: A person who has committed a crime. Entering the United States of America, or any country in the world, without proper paperwork or working in that country is committing a crime, thus is a criminal. Fourth, I never condemned illegal (hey there is the word that supports criminal) aliens. I condemn their actions which are criminal. If an illegal alien leaves this country, then files the necessary paperwork to enter here legally, I would support them for taking responsibilty. Fifth, as for your thought about whining (sp?) my point was, as stated before, is about responsibility for your actions. Also, this country is about equality and fairness. Without you get chaos and mayhem. So be fair. Be equitable. That is not happening now is it?
hancock | Apr 05, 2011, 08:28 PM EDT
Australians.
seanomelbourne | Apr 05, 2011, 07:59 PM EDT
I have not rebuked you for condemning illegal aliens neither have I accused you of insulting me.You state that you are on the right of the political spectrum. You do not mind using childish language in your condemnation of anything liberal.Your branding of all illegals as criminals is typically right wing.For all your degrees you did not make any practical statements on any issue.you just wanted to whinge about your family gaining entry legally and then feeling hard done by.You keep harping on about "logical independent thought"maybe you should practice what you preach or take a long hard look in the "looking glass" Alice.
rpmschevy | Apr 04, 2011, 11:18 PM EDT
Seano what? You are so freaking amazing. I never insulted you, but that is all you can do. You have no ability to develop a logical independent thought without insult. Amazing how you liberals are. First, I never watch Fox, I do not need too. Second, my first degree was in History, specifically American history and about the development of this great Republic (not Democracy). My second degree is in Accounting. Currently a high level systems consultant who can and does have an ability to develop logical thought without assistance from liberal "think tanks" (oxymoron if there ever was one). Try again seano to develop a coherent retort to my cross-examination. It is actually simple. Why must the United States let anyone in, especially CRIMINALS? Ireland has visa and rules on entry. I can visit Australia, but without a Valid Government issued Visa, I cannot work there or live there. Being that this is the LAW, I would follow it. So again I ask, why should we follow the LAW and pay those fees and consequences, and these CRIMINALS do not have to do so? Of course you will not be able to debate this subject and will, like nearly all liberals attack me because you have an inability to develop an argument for your feelings.
hancock | Apr 04, 2011, 02:34 PM EDT
What do you expect.
hancock | Apr 04, 2011, 02:34 PM EDT
He's Australian.
seanomelbourne | Apr 04, 2011, 02:47 AM EDT
Chevy get off the cross I need the timber to build you a pulpit.If you and Hancock act like children that's the way you should expect to be treated. To think my great grand father fought for the union what a wasted enterprise.BTW I am Irish born. Now twaddle on back to your respective trailers and switch on your Fox religious studies.
hancock | Apr 03, 2011, 07:09 PM EDT
He's australian.
seanomelbourne | Apr 02, 2011, 08:04 PM EDT
Here's a penny go find 199,999 friends and stop moaning like a teahadist girl.
seanomelbourne | Apr 01, 2011, 05:08 AM EDT
What's your query? all I read is drivel no wonder IC rubs you out.
seanomelbourne | Mar 31, 2011, 05:54 PM EDT
Chevy you should drive to the levy and ponder your navel.
rpmschevy | Mar 30, 2011, 11:50 PM EDT
Wow I say nothing offensive, just facts and my posts get deleted from here? Very interesting. Talk about freedom of speech. So Cahir all well when people agree with you, but you get challenged with facts and you delete the posts? What is the matter Seano and gurl, you cannot handle the heat?
hancock | Mar 30, 2011, 12:56 AM EDT
Work in Corona or Sunset Park and tell me if its racist.
seanomelbourne | Mar 29, 2011, 06:31 PM EDT
I have seen U.S. citizens drunk in the street.
hollabackgurl | Mar 29, 2011, 03:11 PM EDT
The comment below this one should be removed. It's racism. It's also disgusting.
hancock | Mar 29, 2011, 01:10 PM EDT
I have seen undocumented aliens piss drunk in the street.
allentown | Mar 29, 2011, 12:46 PM EDT
If we were a democracy and the majority won, a growing Hispanic population comprised of 50% legal and 50% illegal might be serious for Republicans. However, we are not a democracy, but a Federal Republic and the electoral votes win. The Republicans are so freightened with the increase in Hispanic population that Mitt Romney's immigration platform is that illegal aliens are going home.
hancock | Mar 29, 2011, 11:43 AM EDT
Then go home.
hancock | Mar 29, 2011, 09:51 AM EDT
Have any of you even seen, do you even know how hard Hispanic undocumented work here, for such little reward - and to be blamed and baited by the right?
Dublinjas | Mar 28, 2011, 10:22 PM EDT
Cahir O'Doherty. You are an ignorant idiot....but hey you probably still get a paycheck.........nothing I can do about that.
Dublinjas | Mar 28, 2011, 10:17 PM EDT
It's a pity really ..when they Do seem to have such a good memory..that they don't remember where they came from...and piss off back there..
Magdaleno | Mar 28, 2011, 09:52 PM EDT
The day will come when Hispanics are accepted by a majority of Americans... this very moment their are many Americans who don't have a problem w/ Bigotry. Just recall when Germans, Irish, and Italians were considerd foreigners-- within time they melted right in to American life.The same fate will replicate with Hispanics... they too will melt right into one big pot called America. My family can trace our American life to 1540 on the Coronado Trail with Spanish exploration.For those of you that can see the future with clear eyes have no fear... we Hispanics are not out to take the Southwest. We will blend in and speak English and work hard to support our selves and our families... and we will defend this great country America from all who want to destroy our American way of life. Be they foreign or domestic.
Monsoonman | Mar 28, 2011, 09:16 PM EDT
Oh Lad!...Heard there was a bit of upset on yer devils island where you store all er illegals. Heard some didn't want to recite the roo pledge of allegiance and wouldn't stand while waltzing Mathilda was played, it became a full blown riot. America treats its illegals better, we don't herd them on to lepers islands.
maloney | Mar 28, 2011, 09:01 PM EDT
The gay New York block seems to think Hispanics are all liberal. You really need to get out of the big city every now and then. Most of the older and long time residents of hispanics in America are Conservative. Yes Conservative. The don't like illegals either. Yes the vote Repulican. You are correct that the new arrivals, illegals who have no right to vote, do so for the liberals. Before you say go to Texas, I used to live in Los Fresnos Tx. just a few miles north of Brownsville. I also lived in Scottsdale Az. As for the expert roohumping seano. He wouldn't know a tea party person if one jumped up and bit him on the arse. A Tea Party meeting or gathering is made up of all ages, RACES and religions. They are also made up of liberals as well as consevatives and libertarians. So before you make an arse out of yourself seano you might want to know what your talking about, but then again maybe not.
Pittsburghkid | Mar 28, 2011, 06:28 PM EDT
It was called a Dream Act, because it's never going to pass. America has quotas for hiring, and White Americans are last. Now, do you really believe that White American are going to give Amnesty to millions of Hispanics, in order that the hispanic will be hired ahead of White Americans. I know you are considering me racist, but the label white American was assigned to me at the State Unemployment Office. Before the assignment, I consider myself American, whose greatgrandparents came from Ireland and a few other countries. Also Catholic.
seanomelbourne | Mar 28, 2011, 06:13 PM EDT
The 20% of extremist voters (almost half of the GOP)have always been there they now have formed a political block called the tea party.They are sinking America into a quagmire of racism and bigotry.
hollabackgurl | Mar 28, 2011, 05:45 PM EDT
You're so right, GeorgeDillion. You should go to Arizona and Texas say and hold up a big hand painted placard saying "Hispanics Against Immigration Reform." Please send us the photographs of what happens, eh?
GeorgeDillon | Mar 28, 2011, 04:14 PM EDT
It's mindless to think, as O'Doherty does, that all Hispanics want to see US immigration laws relaxed. I guess O'Doherty also thinks that most Hispanics want their children to be taught Spanish at school. Pura mierda, O'Doherty--you know nothing about US Hispanics. In fact a large proportion of Hispanics don't speak Spanish.
Nicomax | Mar 28, 2011, 01:50 PM EDT
The Brahmins in Boston in the mid-1800's were just as perplexed by all the Irish showing up on the docks and soon giving birth to many more. The next thing they knew, some were even getting elected to public office. All in all, we should be pleased by this current situation so that we don't fall into the old age trap where many other Western nations are finding themselves.
hollabackgurl | Mar 28, 2011, 01:19 PM EDT
I think Marco Rubio will be the only Hispanic voting GOP (he can vote for himself). But any Hispanic looking at the prospect for immigration reform or welcome from the GOP knows it ain't gonna happen. They're completely hostile - as the comments below and the state of Arizona prove.
just4fun | Mar 28, 2011, 01:00 PM EDT
"Outstanging" your not kidding, in this day of overpopulation the hispanics just keep rolling them out. It's said they want there country back (california). Never going to happen. Other folks that want to live here have to really go through the hoops to get in. Tough medical tests like TB, social deseases etc, must be able to support youself for a minimum of 2 years before you can apply for any type of aid in the US. Illegal aliens just roll over the border, bringing all their problems with them and get to apply for food stamps within 30 days of arriving among other things. And you wonder why people say send the illegal aliens back to where they come from. Get in line and get qualified
edmundburke | Mar 28, 2011, 12:39 PM EDT
@mamaginnty: LOL
mamaginnty | Mar 28, 2011, 12:20 PM EDT
Payroll ? Sinn Fein ?
edmundburke | Mar 28, 2011, 11:53 AM EDT
Cahir, how's life being on the payroll of both Sinn Fein and the Democratic National Committee? I suppose it beats being on the dole! PS We Republicans are recruiting Hispanics all the time, thank you very much, and are little concerned about the "demographics" you rely upon. Ever heard of Marco Rubio?
AengusOg | Mar 28, 2011, 10:19 AM EDT
I have been a Tea Party member for more than a year, receive emails regularly and the Tea Party is against 'big government'.(punto) As for Latino statistics, examine their values and you will see that they may not be as varied as the general population, because their values are more conservative: family, God and country. If one is into social statistics, analyze the percentage of Mexicans, Dominicans, Central and South Americans in the homeless population of NYC. My guess is that it would be minuscule. The journey of the illegal from the south is not simply a swim across the Rio Grande. Many have raised thousands of dollars to pay for the series of coyotes who have escorted them to the land of milk and honey. Some have been kidnapped in Texas or Arizona, probably by friends of one of their coyotes, and their families have had to come up with even more money. Elia Kazan's "America, America", although a bit long, captures the spirit of these immigrants.
mrkennedy | Mar 28, 2011, 10:09 AM EDT
Marcio Rubio will be nominated by the Republican Party next year to run for Vice-President of the U.S. and this will take away votes from the Democrates!!!
olovely | Mar 28, 2011, 09:25 AM EDT
The GOP have let the Teahadists paint them into an ideologoical corner. Now they're stuck with it. By the way, colkelley, is you're going to accuse someone of ignorance, it helps if you know how to spell.
colkelley | Mar 28, 2011, 09:10 AM EDT
You really just do not have a clue about the Constitution. Illegal immigrants are just that, illegal...and they do not have the right to vote nor do they have some fantasized "right" to become instant citizens when NO ONE from any other country has that supposed right. The Arizona law was specifically written to avoid racial profiling, so your comment there is further proof of your ignorance. Ignorance, thy name is Chair O'Doherty!