Will America's growing Latino population doom the GOP?
Republicans will have to woo the nation's fastest-growing minority group to ward off future electoral failure, some commentators warn
America is getting more and more Latino — in the last decade, the country's Latino population grew by 43 percent, topping 50 million people, according to the Census. Around 16 percent of the U.S. population is now Latino. And this dramatic growth could prove to be a big problem for the Republican Party, as Latino voters tend to disproportionately support Democrats. In 2008, for example, 67 percent of Latino voters backed President Obama. Only 31 percent voted for John McCain. Could the rapid growth of America's Latino population imperil the Republican Party's electoral odds?
Yes. The Hispanic vote will be pivotal from now on: This shift in demographics will be "downright frightening" for GOP strategists, says Chris Cillizza at The Washington Post, especially when you look at how it breaks down. Seven "reliably red states" — Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee — have seen the Hispanic population double in the last 10 years. Republicans need to start figuring out how to win over Latino voters, fast.
"The Republicans' Hispanic problem"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
No. Republicans can still attract Latino voters: Republicans have a lot in common with Latinos, says former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, quoted by the Christian Science Monitor. We share "similar ideals and principles," such as the importance of "freedom, family, an entrepreneurial spirit, and access to a quality education." If we can connect on those issues, we may yet find Latinos embracing the GOP.
"Can Republicans salvage the Hispanic vote?"
Then Republicans should abandon their anti-immigration rhetoric: The GOP's prospects amongst Latino voters don't look good, says Suzy Khimm at Mother Jones, "particularly given the party's hard right turn on immigration." The kind of "hardline" stance adopted in Arizona, for example, will "not only alienate Hispanics, but also non-Hispanic swing voters who are put off by the party line." But if moderate Republicans can start a reasonable dialogue on immigration, all may not be lost.
"The GOP's Russell Pearce problem"
The Democrats have reason to worry, too: The Left shouldn't just take Latino support for granted, says Brooklyn Bad Boy at the Daily Kos. This "working class, largely Catholic" voting bloc will want "more economically progressive, but more socially conservative" policies — pretty much the opposite of what today's Democratic Party offers. Appealing to Latinos by saying "We aren't as bad as Republicans" has got the Left this far. But it won't work forever.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The growing US movement to end child marriages
Under the Radar Practice is 'surprisingly widespread' but only 12 states have so far banned it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'New arrivals are more than paying for themselves'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
6 stylish homes in Portland, Oregon
Feature Featuring a wall of windows in Collins View and a historic ballroom in Portland Heights
By The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published