The Register’s Oct. 26 issue looks at “El Voto”—the Hispanic vote, and finds it solidly for Obama. The Catholic Thing, however, looks a little into the future and sees that vote ripe for change ...
George Marlin writes that surveys show most Hispanics:
• Oppose abortion
• Attend church
• Believe that couples should marry if they intend to live together
• Say that unwed parents should be legally wed
• Hold that government should promote “personal responsibility” instead of “bureaucratic paternalism.”
• View welfare as a temporary safety net, not a permanent way of life.
“These data explain why the most significant Bush gains in the 2004 presidential election were in the Hispanic communities,” Marlin writes.
• In 1996, 21% of Hispanics voted for Bob Dole;
• In 2000 34% voted for Bush
• In 2004, 41% voted to re-elect the President.
Marlin quotes Dick Morris’ conclusion: “More Hispanics voted Republican for a variety of factors, including Bush’s efforts to cultivate them, his proposals to legalize guest workers, and his conservative position on social values, which was a special importance to religious Catholic Hispanics.”
Leslie Sanchez, president of the Impacto Group, a Republican communications research firm, agreed: “There is no doubt Hispanics share many of the values of the Republican Party.”
Stay tuned to see how that plays in November ...
— Tom Hoopes