CPAC Loves Me, Loves Me Not…

Let’s talk about the Unites States of America’s history and remind people that it was not long ago when the recruiting flyers were printed in German during the Civil War and so on.

By Angelette Aviles.

The boycotts of CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) have shown us the vast diversity among conservatives; the social, fiscal, and those for a strong national defense. This held true even among the topics of immigration and Hispanics or Nativists versus the Melting Pot. Last week’s three-day conference provided 4 sessions which were clearly on opposite ends of the spectrum, a couple of which some would perceive as divisive.

On Day One, before the breakout session, “Policy Recommendations for Real Immigration Reform,” Rep. Steve King (IA) addressed the topic during his speech and scared the audience by stating that the majority of all illegal immigrants are criminals (not criminal as in living in the U.S. illegally). His comment came after discussing the drug war in which 90% of the drugs imported into the United States come from the south border. The immigration reform panel took the same grandiose stage after King to further provide solutions, however, it was a wasted space since only a handful of people attended. Arizona, the Dream Act, Green Cards, English as the official language, and Birthright Citizenship were all discussed.

The most controversial session came on Day Two where the Youth for Western Civilization (YWC) sponsored the breakout session, “Will Immigration Kill the GOP?” It was a standing room filled with YWC students in black shirts with white gothic Germanesque lettering reminiscent of the Nazi’s use of fonts for propaganda materials. At first glance, one attendee whispered that they were the United States version of the Nazi movement.

Their first speaker was former Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo, who throughout his 30 minutes of speaking ripped on Newt Gingrich, Jeb Bush, and the Heritage Foundation on their efforts to communicate with Hispanics. He supported an audience member’s comment that organizations that have information available in Spanish is a form of pandering and is offensive and recommended, “If you are a big contributor they’ll listen to you.” Tancredo stated the GOP gets on average 35% of the Hispanic vote “whether you are the most pro-amnesty Republican or not.” In essence, he was suggesting that there is no reason for the Republican Party to make an effort.

Then came the ex-Virginia Congressman, Virgil Goode, the former Republican, Independent, and Democrat who is now a member of the Constitution Party. He believes illegal immigration will kill our healthcare system and that both legal and illegal immigrants are negatively affecting our government and employment stating that “the many who immigrate here want to put us in a path to socialism” and socialized medicine. Goode then demanded that the U.S. reduce issuing the number of Visas and Green Cards each year. Hmmm, wouldn’t reducing it lead to more illegal immigration?

At the end of his speech Goode received a loud applause when he stated, “The topic of our debate is, will immigration kill the GOP? Let me tell you, illegal & massive legal immigration, like we have right now, will not only kill the GOP it will kill the United States of America.” Thank goodness neither him nor Tancredo are members of the Republican Party.

On the final third day of CPAC, participants somehow managed to squeeze into the smallest and hottest room possible for the topic on, “Conservative Inclusion.” Some attendees felt as if CPAC purposely and discriminately scheduled the breakout session in a secluded room, after all the YWC had a room three times as large without a obstructing block in the middle. The consensus of the panel was that outreach to particular groups is not a form of pandering rather a form of communicating. If Conservatives and Republicans change their message and principles then of course it would be deemed pandering.

Timothy Johnson, Ph.D. of the Frederick Douglass Foundation, suggested that if we change the language we could change the outcome such as saying I’m a Christian or an American before saying I’m a minority. He continued to recommend that we should focus on discussing our social and economic principles while bragging about our history for example, as the party of Abolishment. Grover Norquist interjected and affirmed, “We should not start the conversation before an election” however years before.

Later that day in the main ballroom CPAC hosted it’s own failed session called, “Changing the Conversation: Winning with Minorities, Women, and Independents.” A great title, however the panelists went on to provide statistics and stories. For the most part, political junkies are aware of the statistics and look forward to such discussions as they are in search of solutions to change those numbers around. One panelist, Margaret Hoover, generically concluded, “If we believe our policies are good for everyone than why do we have to actively court women, minorities or independents? It may be obvious to us but not everyone is getting the message. We have to actively sell ourselves to these groups. Customize our message but not change it. Talk about how it is beneficial to them.”

Next year I challenge more Hispanic organizations and professionals to cough up some cash to sponsor several breakout sessions in order to further educate CPAC attendees. Money talks in these types of events, don’t expect to be invited to speak. Let’s share our stories as immigrants, as people who do make an effort to speak English, as entrepreneurs and soldiers who are not changing American culture but strengthening it with our strong values of family, faith, and work ethics. Let’s talk about the Unites States of America’s history and remind people that it was not long ago when the recruiting flyers were printed in German during the Civil War (as pictured above) and so on.

Angelette Aviles is the Principal of AMG Branding & PR which provides communications solutions specifically in penetrating the Hispanic market for political and commercial clients. She is a former Florida Gubernatorial appointee and a regular Republican panelist on the weekly political talk show, “Florida this Week.” Follow her at www.AngeletteAviles.com or on Twitter, @Angelette, for daily Hispanic outreach related tips & opinions.