If you’ve read my site for any length of period, you’ll know I’m not a real big fan of columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. Mostly because, we have a difference of opinion on a pretty substantial issue. That issue is facts. I think they are important. He apparently doesn’t think so. We’ve seen examples of that over and over. And now we will again, as he publishes his lastest misinformation/propaganda piece.
He attempts to raise panic at the oh-so-certain Hispanic storm, in which Hispanics every where will rise up and vote in such numbers as to make us all subservient to their will. Nevermind that this has failed to happen over and over. Nevermind that even after the huge immigration marches this summer, voter registration amongst Hispanics was basically flat. Yet, according to Navarette, we are living in the “Century of the Hispanic”.
Of course, central to Navarette’s point is that we should all fear this coming titlewave and in Kos-like demeanor he warns all Republicans to be wary of alienating Hispanics. As proof of this he cites the 2006 elections.
In the last election, Hispanics lit into the Republican Party like a swarm of 7-year-olds tearing into a pinata.
Nearly 7 out of 10 Hispanic voters shunned the GOP and tossed their support across the aisle. Democrats earned 69 percent of the Hispanic vote, compared with 30 percent for the GOP.
Wow…pretty damning right? I mean certainly that’s significant and politicians everywhere should take heed. Well that would be a correct assessment alright…..if it was new news.
What he fails to mention is that 7 out of 10 Hispanic voters have almost always voted against the GOP (with the exception of 2004) and a majority of Hispanics have NEVER voted for the GOP .
For those of you unwilling to deal with the NYT link, here are the percentages of Hispanics voting for the GOP in past elections.
1982 – 25%
1984 – 31%
1986 – 25%
1988 – 24%
1990 – 28%
1992 – 28%
1994 – 39%
1996 – 27%
1998 – 37%
2000 – 35%
2002 – 38%
2004 – 44%
2006 – 30%
Given the historical context does 2006 really look that out of place?? Does it really look like Hispanics were making a statement? Does it appear as if the GOP lost one of it’s key voting blocks?
No, if you look at the facts, Navarette’s central argument is ludicrous. But then again we’ve all grown used to that from his writing.