Texas and the Perfect Political Storm
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Texas Governor, Rick Perry, appointed several Hispanic Republicans, all of whom lost their seats in the elections decided last week.
Picture it – Texas, Tuesday, March 2, 2010 the Texas Republican Primary and the Conservative slap heard round the state! Several Conservative Republican Hispanics found themselves without a home that night; I was one of them I thought. Races by Hispanic candidates were lost all around the state at every level, even conservative incumbents appointed by Governor Perry. What went wrong? How do major metropolitan areas not have any Republican Hispanic elected officials minus a few precinct chairs? Hello, we’re talking about Texas not Maine. What is up with Texas? I was livid and full of emotions when I saw many results, I am being honest and I hope you can respect and appreciate it. I was being fueled by raw emotion and that’s not always a wise thing. I was beyond frustrated, here we go again I thought. Republicans NOT listening and playing their race card. When will this end, what happened? I kept thinking about it for days, I spoke with friends and then a light went off. Hmmm, for many the answers will be effortless…they will immediately, and solely, claim racism, I would be different. Did race and/or ethnicity play a part? Yes it always does regardless of Party affiliation, let’s be honest and realistic. Did it play a bigger part this go around in the Texas Republican Primary? I say yes, but not out of malice or a need to rid the Republican Party of “Hispanics”. It happened because a Perfect Political Storm brewed, was not proscribed and it swept across the state. Is one factor to blame? No, several are and they all collided leaving behind sentiments of sadness, anger, hostility, confusion and distrust; along with a solid line in the sand dividing many Republicans. Let’s take a look at the dynamics of the perfect political storm and how ethnicity was not the only fueling factor, but definitely the one that stands out, of course…
Let’s talk about race…all Hispanics are “Mexicans”:
The age old question: What’s in a last name? My answer is, a lot! For some voters the name alone can be a final determinate on how they will vote, that goes for non-Hispanics and Hispanics. I know many Hispanos that are fond of candidates’ names because they are ethnically familiar and they vote for them. I did polling after the primary to non-Hispanics and I encouraged them to be honest and candid. The majority expressed that when they saw certain last names they felt the candidate wouldn’t be conservative enough or that they would support open borders and illegal immigration. Now, I didn’t poll so I could judge I polled so I could learn. Did the last name make some non-Hispanics vote against the Hispanic candidate? Yes. But, it works both ways and in different ways. This issue is not black or white; it is all grey and certainly won’t be concluded upon in this opinion piece.
Communication is a two-way street and we should discuss race relations. Republicans see talking about it as ‘taboo’. Let’s stop kidding ourselves and talk about race and ethnicity. We are functioning in a polluted environment within the Republican Party and we can’t move forward until we clear the air. We need to focus more on how we are alike and not on how we are different. Imagine if every day we pointed out how we are different from our friends and family and not on why we have bonds. We have to work together and educate non-Republican Hispanics about the Republican Party principles and platform and Republican non-Hispanics about well, Hispanics. Time after time I hear stories about Texas Hispanics all being “Mexicans”. Let’s not get offended, educate folks instead. What does being ticked off get you? A whole lot of heartache and neither person will learn anything. Don’t be afraid to talk about it intelligently in your communities.
New Movements:
I have many acquaintances involved in Tea Party organizations and other groups, and I have collaborated on some events. I’m going to be extremely honest, not to hurt anyone’s feelings or take away from any good deeds, but new political movements played a role in the creation of the perfect political storm that swept through our primary here in Texas. These new movements brought with them a surge of new voters; many had never voted in a primary before or been involved in politics in any fashion. Several of them used very strong rhetoric without facts and resorted to utilizing fear instead of details. They spoke of important issues like Voter ID cards, illegal immigration and border security; regrettably many were misinformed and targeted Hispanics as being the culprits. Which in turn lead to Hispanics taking a hit regardless of their true feelings about immigration; aka being Hispanic means you support illegal immigration. Trust me I speak from experience, I constantly get asked if I support illegal immigration because I’m Hispanic. In addition, many movements were provided with several mediums to get their views out, they were everywhere, and many didn’t come off in the best light. Sadly, too many operated via fear and succumbed to overzealous political newbies leading the way.
Liberal Hispanics and the Media:
Liberal Hispanics have a lot more exposure on television, radio and print than Conservatives. Those that argue there isn’t a media bias need a reality check. Whatever those on the Left feel, they say and it will make its way mainstream. So, what did we see? Many Hispanos yelling out “we will be the majority, we are taking over”, many were waving Mexican flags. I also saw several events where organizations gathered people and were chanting “we will not assimilate” yet many had on Levi jeans, Vans and rock concert T-shirts like Blink 182, you know that ‘ethnic’ group. I believe the majority who acted in such a manner are guided by the all too familiar Liberal manipulators. The ones I’ve mentioned before in articles that target, exploit and confuse many Hispanics into believing they are “little guys” in order to convince them that they are incapable of reaching their full potential on their own therefore enslaving their minds. We should educate and welcome those that are being exploited and not shun them for falling into a trap, many don’t know any better because their political arena is being corrupted. Let’s show them we are inclusive and guide them in the right directions.
Uninformed Voters:
Finally, let’s talk about something so common it’s beyond irritating – voters not getting to know their candidates. What I found from polling is that if most voters had taken the time to get to know many of the candidates, they decided to vote against, they would have made a different decision. Aha, which is exactly the way to overcome or at the very least fight against the storm. It’s a slap to our Founding Fathers and the Constitution to take voting so nonchalantly. People spend more time picking out breakfast cereals than they do their elected officials. Stop being lazy, do some research and make educated decisions.
Let me remind you that not one of these factors alone contributed to what happened in the Texas primary. All four factors collided and detonated something we could not control. What can we take from this? Quite simply, as in anything else, communication is key and so is the need to be realistic. Let us be prepared for the next political storm by working together as Conservatives, who want to see the Republican Party become as strong as possible. We all have different backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, some of us even speak different languages during our leisure time, but we have more in common than you think and it’s those commonalities that we need to focus on, embrace and nurture.
Melissa Blair is a Doctoral candidate at the University of North Texas. She holds Masters degrees in Hispanic Studies and Public Administration from Auburn University. She is also a Contributor and the Editor of The Americano’s Young Conservatives section. Feel free to contact her if you would like to submit an article, have questions, ideas or suggestions. mblair@theamericano.com <http://us.mc596.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=mblair@theamericano.com>
Great article b/c it touches on a variety of points, not just one, for reasons why things happen. I’ve found the people who are quick to play the race card are the ones who are most racist. Look forward to reading your articles in the future.
Great suggestion to focus on the commonalities because as we peel through our differences we’ll end up at our common goal and we all win! Can we keep our focus on that end result? That requires intelligence and maturity.
I was shocked to see the true personality of the REPUBLICAN party at the polling areas on this 2010 primary day. With the risk of sounding like a sore loser I must say my last name played a big part on why some voters did not vote my way. Can I say a different name (SMITH) would have changed the outcome, not in my case. Nonetheless, the race card played a role. What hurt more is having voters tell me to my face they would not vote for a MEXICAN from south of the border. The worst part was they said these types of things to the poll workers and my family. I take full responsibility for my loss and not knowing who my constituents are by last name. What is really funny is that I was born so far NORTH of Texas, in New York City. ( Oh boy they would have gotten a rope) LOL.. We (HISPANICS) need to educate all people of all races to vote only on issues and not vote based on last name. GOD BLESS! (March 2, 2010, Justice of the Peace Pct 2 Candidate)
Good piece. But, at times you do appear to be too nice and “livid and full of emotions”, which I am not sure is good for the article.
Now you are aware that Primaries voter are mainly party activists. And, in Texas, Reps voters tend to be older. 40 percent of the population in Texas is Hispanic, but only 20 % percent of the vote, is Latino. Out of the 20 % registered voters 40 % are Reps. Some 45 percent of Hispanics are still under the age of 18. Moreover, more voters ages 18 to 24 in 2008, dropped from 39 percent in 2004 to 36 percent in 2008. But Voters ages 65 to 74 saw the largest gain, from 69 percent in 2004 to 74 percent in 2008. For Democratic primary voters the top one or two issues are the economy and jobs (illegal immigration was only 17 %), the situation in Iraq, and health care. While on the Republican side, illegal immigration was 47 % in the general election, but in the primaries it was up to 66 %, terrorism and national security . As you can see, While, Hispanic are 40 % of the population in TX, they are only 20 % of the overall vote and out if this, only 40 % are Reps Hispanics. but The good note is that we are the youngest, half of the other half of the Hispanic population will reach voting age within a generation.
Also, I am sure at school, you talk to young people about culture and politics. To those people, it is a fact that Hispanic would be the majority in the State; thus, they knowledge that there will be a diffusion of power where Hispanics and Whites will share the political establishment. However, when you talk to nice older neighbors ( 55 and plus and the ones that saw an increase in voting pattern) is difficult for them to to assimilate the thought of sharing power with a group- with whom they have no commonalities with-, is difficult for them to internalizes or process this idea. Therefore, you do have generational gap; and this sometimes translate into older voters associating your last name with support for illegal immigration because to them all illegal are Hispanics. But this predicament needs to be blamed on the Hispanic Republicans who had never had the courage to speak up against those zeal-outs in the GOP who link all that is Hispanic culture with illegal immigrations (the national RNHA). Now you just can not assume that a Hispanic last name was the cause of lost in Texas–I read that Mr Carrillo makes this claims but I am not 100 % sure. You have Republican leaders unable to reconciled this chasm between older hardened Reps and Hispanics. However, I am not sure I would used the word “racism” so hastily. What would you say if Marco Rubio (a Hispanic last name) wins in the Florida primaries? if he wins,. it would prove your assumptions wrong.
Also, I am not sure that asking people about who they voted for really helps for pricints statistical analysis, specially when ethnicity is involved. Are you familiarized with the Bradley effect? The Bradley effect is named after former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, an African-American who ran for California governor in 1982. Exit polls showed Bradley leading by a wide margin, and the Democrat thought it would be an early election night.But Bradley and the polls were wrong. He lost to Republican George Deukmejian. The theory was that polling was wrong because some voters, who did not want to appear racists, said they voted for Bradley even though they did not. So I am not sure what sort of questions you asked and how direct they were?
Furthermore, you seem hesitant to analyze ethnicity and politics. I understand. Most people do not like to be grouped together into a categories. But, you are a scholar, and you ought to approach you analysis in such manner. If you really want to comprehend ethnicity, you need to understand the struggle of past ethnic groups, especially in the big industrial cities of East. For Example, the protestant sects were the first to used gerrymandering to diffuse Irish votes and influence and thus prevent them from developing political power in the late 19th century. But, later, when they learned the rules of the game and have a large population, the same formerly discriminated Irish used their newly acquired political influence to keep out Italians and Easter European from jobs and political representation. Later, the two same groups created a coalitions to keep all Jews out from joining unions, and to keep blacks in the segregated neighborhoods. When they were able to move out of the urban slams, the Irish and Italians had to join forces to take over the bureaucracy from the “Protestant Establishment in smaller cities like New Haven and and Baltimore. If you read essays or books–Hit the Data bases you have at school– on “how” Irish, Italians, Jews, Greeks… etc “became white” you will gain helpful insight into how ethnic group struggle for power. Power struggle is s nasty process that involves fights for jobs and ethnic recognition, so it gets brutal sometimes.
So when judging what is happening in Texas, do no rush on false assumption of racism, and you should focus more on the generational gap disconnect currently prevailing between the older Reps and the Hispanics desiring to take their share of power but cannot cohesively project what they want and how to get it.
Sometimes you need to be more scholarly so you don’t have to nice. : )
I was a poll worker in the election. After admitting that I don’t know what happened and that I am as upset as anyone about the results I will say that I have never seen the number of first time voters as this time. (I’m talking folks who didn’t realize that they must mark their ballots before entering them in the machine. and other clues.) We had a variety of ages (no more older folks than any others). There are very few hispanics living in the polling boundaries, yet our tape vote count was not significantly different than the combined vote count. I am not sure that any of the arguments presented here are accurate. There is something wrong, but I am not sure what it is. (By the way I am a member of hispanic organizations and whole heartedly support the cause even even though my ancestry is german and english, maybe hienze 57!!)
I liked the article because I think it takes a realistic approach. Race was a factor for some but was possibly highlighted due to the other elements. What if there hadn’t been a surge of new voters? You seem to agree that there were more. What do you think happened? It sounds as though you believe in a conspiracy? Ballot tampering? Perhaps Voters uninformed? Voting mistakes?
“I am not sure that any of the arguments presented here are accurate. There is something wrong, but I am not sure what it is. my ancestry is german and english”. of course you don’t think the arguements are valid because you are not latino. because you have latino friends or belong to latino organizations does not mean you get it. you are mistaken if you do not think race has any bearing in politics and elections. you are trying to say it was dumb voters who did not know how to use a ballot. that is really weak. the teabaggers were on tv blaming latinos for everything. I would take it further than this article and place the blame solely on the teabagger movement. they were white angry people who looked down on latinos. the teabaggers lost elections for latinos in Texas and they will continue to lose elections everywhere until they go away. they are making it easier for democrats to take the latino vote. i think you missed the points and should read it again and Alexs comment. nice try mr. davis but no cuban cigar.
Perhaps this writer was emotional but such was stated. I thought this article took guts and boy does she have some cojones for saying what she says. I’m not quite sure why you are saying she is being too nice considering the article. You are too cynical. I really like this article because you don’t find many woman with, well balls.
Madam Blair
As Diego mentioned I enjoyed and respect that you did not solely focus on one element as most situations involve several. It is refreshing to see a writer display passion and energy. Looking at your biography you are very accomplished and may I say well done.
Madam Patsy I agree with your stance and will hold on to hope for all Republicans to act in a mature manner when discussions are prompted. Don Gonzalez I do not believe this is an academic journal but more of a opinion magazine or newspaper. I see some of the points you are making but this piece is not about what you want to see written it is about the four factors mentioned and what the author wanted to discuss. It says to send an email maybe you should write one and dicuss this further. Your comment was longer than the article and perhaps that is because you have much to say. Good work and maybe you can write here too. I’m sure all are welcome who have passion and energy.
Don Lenny I commend you for running in your race and I sympathize with you on your loss. Don’t give up on educating voters. Stay strong and don’t let anger or confusion make you do or say things that are inflammatory. Blaming all REPUBLICANS is not the answer. Don’t lump everyone together. God Bless you too.
I completely agree that there has been some very harsh sentiments and unfair ones made about Hispanics all across the country. I’m glad to see this site allowing the writers to open up the discussion that many others are scared to do. Time after time I see weak Republican Hispanics sit around and let the Republicans lash out against our Hispanic community. They do nothing, they say nothing because they want to climb the Republican ladder of success. That is not success that is being a sell out and being disrespectful. I am grateful to see this article and I think more people need to be this outspoken. Maybe if we had more people like Ms Blair telling it like it is we would actually get somewhere. Keep up the work here and stand up for us it is badly needed. I never liked Newt Gingrich but this website has made me change my mnd about him. He is willing to stand up for Hispanics and that is good to see.
I’m glad this website exists and that these views have a place to be seen and heard. Personally, I don’t see how one can blame those on the right who have become reflexively anti-hispanic over the years. The only voices being broadcast to the masses are those of Atzlan, Mecha, La Raza, ect.
Middle Americans will not react well to people calling them invaders, insulting their culture, and flaunting blatant disrespect for their laws. They won’t react well to people boasting about becoming a majority and using those numbers to fundamentally transform their country. Nor will they react well to having an alien culture and language imposed upon them against their will. Frankly, they shouldn’t react well to it. No nation on Earth would.
Conservative Hispanic-Americans are some of the brightest, most industrious and patriotic people I’ve had the pleasure to know over the years, but they are as rare a sight in the public arena as the dodo bird. It is incumbent upon THEM to step up to the plate and challenge the leftist radicals in public. Otherwise, people will believe what they see, and again, with no alternative, their seething rage is understandable.
I implore you, friends, become more vocal. Let the country know that Hispanic does not equal criminal. Get on TV. Get on the radio. Take to the streets. The lunatics have hijacked your community and you must take it back – by any means necessary.
Excellent comment! I feel the same way. Conservatives need to speak up. This writer Blair consistently tells the truth and is honest. I support this site and we should all spread the word.