GOP's top tier to join Spanish Debate (Rudy McRomney, Fred, Paul, and Hunter on 12/09 in Miami)

Miami Herald ^ | 11/09/2007 | Beth Reinhard

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Jilted by the GOP earlier this year, viewers of the nation's largest Spanish-language television network will get a chance to see the Republican presidential candidates debate in Miami on Dec. 9.

Three of the leading candidates -- Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney -- agreed Thursday to participate in the forum at the University of Miami, joining John McCain and lesser-known candidates Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter.

Only McCain and Hunter accepted a Sept. 16 invitation from Univisión, forcing the network to call the debate off and allowing the Democrats to lay claim the week before to a history-making opportunity to reach more than two million Hispanic voters.

Thompson wasn't an official candidate when the debate was proposed, giving him an opening to take the lead. With their candidate facing mixed reviews after two months in the race, the Thompson campaign said Thursday afternoon that he was in.

''Sen. Thompson is committed to sharing his vision for America's future with all Americans, and that is why he agreed to participate in this forum,'' said Carlos Curbelo, a Thompson advisor in South Florida.

Less than two hours later, Giuliani and Romney said they would be there, too.

''Mayor Giuliani has been looking forward to participating in the Univisión debate, and we are happy to accept the invitation today,'' said campaign spokesman Elliott Bundy.

The acceptances are a coup for Univisión, unfamiliar to many English speakers even though its audience surpasses that of cable networks such as CNN and MSNBC. The University of Miami also wins bragging rights.

''We're very excited to be able to host all the major candidates for the Republican presidency,'' said Rudy Fernandez, UM's vice president for government affairs. ``It's a very unique opportunity for the university to have hosted both Democratic and Republican forums.''

The GOP contenders are expected to face pointed questions about immigration, forcing them to tread carefully on an issue of paramount concern to conservative voters without alienating the predominantly Hispanic television audience.

Romney and Thompson have repeatedly attacked Giuliani for allowing what they call a ''sanctuary'' for illegal immigrants as mayor of New York City. Only McCain supported legislation that would have allowed illegal immigrants to earn citizenship, though he has shifted his focus in recent weeks to stricter border security.

One of Romney's most visible Hispanic supporters, Miami lobbyist Al Cárdenas, said, ``He'll be very comfortable with the immigration issue because the strong position he takes is against breaking the law. He also takes a strong position on increasing legal immigration . . . so he has a well-rounded response that will set him apart.''

''I think Mayor Giuliani's message is a pragmatic one,'' said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez, who is backing Giuliani. ``He does not support amnesty, and he believes there there has to be some kind of process. I don't think the message to Hispanic voters will be any different.''

The 2008 contenders are making unprecedented overtures to Hispanic voters, who make up the fastest growing part of the electorate. Romney, the only candidate to air campaign commercials in Florida so far, has run Spanish-language radio ads.

Thompson has been hotly pursuing an endorsement from state Rep. Marco Rubio of Miami, the first Cuban-American leader of the Florida House, and asked him to deliver his acceptance to Univisión. They are both scheduled to appear at the Florida Family Policy Council dinner in Hollwood on Nov. 16.

As in the Democratic debate, the questions will be asked in Spanish and translated into English for the candidates, who will wear earphones. Their responses will be translated into Spanish for viewers.

The only two candidates who are not confirmed for the Dec. 9 debate are Mike Huckabee and Tom Tancredo. Tancredo has centered his campaign on assailing illegal immigration and has said he would never participate in a Spanish-language forum.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Hunter ping!

I seem to recall a certain NALEO debate where Hunter was the only Republican to show up...

[Greg F]

I seem to recall a certain NALEO debate where Hunter was the only Republican to show up...
_______________

I hope he mentions that at this debate.

[cripplecreek]

There’s a reason hispanic voters respect Hunter. He respects them enough to talk to them even when facing a potentially hostile crowd and he doesn’t pander when he does it.

[cowboyway]

As in the Democratic debate, the questions will be asked in Spanish and translated into English for the candidates, who will wear earphones. Their responses will be translated into Spanish for viewers.

Spanish is the first language down here.

[MattinNJ]

OK, before the anti-illegal immigration crowd gets in here (I am also one)-If every election were decdided by Cuban, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan ex-pats, the GOP would win every race.

Keep hammering away at family values (anti gay marriage, pro-life) and the rest of the Hispanic vote is there for the taking. I think you would also be surprised how hispanic legal immigrants feel about illegal immigration. The majority want to pull the ladder up after they get legalized.

[Sybeck1]

Nothing better than a little Hispandering in the morning.

[RockinRight]

Heck, if Hunter especially, and Fred as well, are going to be there considering their illegal immigration positions...perhaps Hispanic LEGALS aren’t as pro-illegals as we think they are...I can’t say I have any issue with the candidates doing this.

Although I’d prefer it be in English...but then again, it IS a Spanish-language TV station.

[Sun]

www.gohunter08.com

Let’s help him out.

[jmyrlefuller]

The candidates will be answering in English, and I presume we will have a live thread for that debate.

And here’s a list of affiliates, check in your area (it’ll also likely be available on cable):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Univision_affiliates

[George W. Bush]

Let's see.

Only Tancredo was willing to attend the NAACP debate.

So Rudi, Romney, McCain all refused to attend the debate for black voters (Fred wasn't declared yet as I recall).

But dang howdy, they all got time to shill for Hispanic votes. Especially the Cuban vote in Florida.

Now, after all the folks who support Rudi/Romney/McCain and who blasted all the other candidates for "pandering to those black people" show up on this thread, perhaps they can explain exactly how it's good to pander to Hispanics and it's "bad" to pander to black voters.

I'd like to know how we're supposed to parse these various ethnic groups. So in official RNC lingo, can someone explain how we know which are the "good ones" and which are the "bad ones"? Is is just a matter of how much melanin they possess? Maybe Mitt and Rudi and McCain could spend some time explaining to us how they determine this.

This actually hurts what little appeal we were offering to black voters even more.

Damn, that elephant is stupid.

[TexasCajun]

I wonder if I should learn Spanish or Chinese first?

[longtermmemmory]

Jorge Ramos objects to english as the language of the USA. LITERALLY.

I bet they are going to go after Thompson on his immigration stand and prise sactuary rhodham giuliani.

[2ndDivisionVet]

HELP FRED WIN FOR A STRONGER AMERICA!

[George W. Bush]

I bet they are going to go after Thompson on his immigration stand and praise sanctuary rodham giuliani.

Oh? I didn't realize this was a Fox News Channel debate.

[OB1kNOb]

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Those names sound familiar.

Don’t we have men running for president of the United States with very similar sounding names?

[Kimberly GG]

“So Rudi, Romney, McCain all refused to attend the debate for black voters (Fred wasn’t declared yet as I recall).”

IIRC, Fredheads poo poo’d it just the same as they did with all *insert adjective here* debates Fred missed.

I too would like to now know why so-called ‘pandering’ to hispanics is ok, but not to African Americans.

[RockinRight]

Perhaps you have a point. However...Hispanics, while they do tend Democrat, are still about a 40/60 split R to D...Blacks are a 10/90 split.

[NordP]

DUNCAN HUNTER - you may not know his name, until you want to thank him!

[The South Texan]

This is a very good move. It was absoulutley stupid to avoid the last one and some of the debates hosted by Tavis Smiley. Sure, in some case you know you are walking into a lion den. But you might as well do it instead of allowing false perceptions to be cemented against you and the party by the Drive Byes and race hustlers.

You best defense in this case is your offense. The GOP needs to get that thru their thich heads.

[wastedyears]

Will there be a way to view it in English?

[kevkrom]

Only Tancredo was willing to attend the NAACP debate. So Rudi, Romney, McCain all refused to attend the debate for black voters (Fred wasn't declared yet as I recall).

To be fair, the NAACP is hardly representative of black conservatives, whereas South Florida Cuban immigrants are as conservative as the general population, if not more so.

This debate will also, according to the article, be seen by more people than watch CNN or MSNBC -- what candidate would be dumb enough to refuse that from a non-hostile organization? (The NAACP, on the other hand, is a hostile organization to Republicans and conservatives.)

[George W. Bush]

IIRC, Fredheads poo poo’d it just the same as they did with all *insert adjective here* debates Fred missed.

That's the Fredheads here at FR. Don't confuse them with Fred. I look at Fred and make a deliberate effort to disregard their repulsive antics here at FR so I can see Fred on his own merits. Frankly, they do at least as much harm to him as any good they do. I doubt they're actually a plus for Fred.

FDT is a pretty fair-minded man. He might well have chosen to participate. And I won't make assumptions about it based on anyone's speculation.

As for Rudi/Mitt/McCain, they didn't want "pander" to those blacks. But they seem to be just fine with Hispandering. That's what I object to. If we're going to do any ethnic forums, we should expect our candidates to do them all. Not just blacks or Hispanics. Arabs, Asians, etc. Why should only Hispanics get pandered to just because they happen to be a potential growth demographic for Republicans. I say we campaign to the max with all of them. Don't just leave them on the Dim plantation feeling, with some justification, that we have absolutely no interest in their votes. They might conclude from our absense that even we don't believe they have any good reason to vote for us. And they should vote for us. But you have to show up and ask for those votes in these ethnic communities. When our major candidates don't, that sends a message that is very hard to overcome in the general election. Then we sit around whining about why those black people don't want to vote for us even if it is in their best interest (which it is).

[kevkrom]

I should also add that electoral math comes into play too — while there are pockets of black Republicans around the country, there is a large and important voting block of hispanic Republicans in Florida, a key early primary state.

[George W. Bush]

It was absolutely stupid to avoid the last one and some of the debates hosted by Tavis Smiley. Sure, in some case you know you are walking into a lion den.

I watched it. There were a few dicey question but it was nowhere close to a lion's den. Probably most blacks thought it was a snoozefest.

It's pretty hard to find GOP candidates who are talking about how they're not afraid of Iran, Iraq, Saddam, Osama, al-Qaeda, etc. and then they slink away in fear of some lightweight like Tavis Smiley who didn't even run a rigged debate by my measures.

I thought all the GOP candidates who did attend did pretty well. Sometimes, you actually get a better idea about your candidates as human beings and as to how they deal with differing groups by seeing them in such a forum.

Being president shouldn't be just one series of appearances before middle-class white audiences. They're supposed to be the president of all the peoples of this country and it is valuable for them to demonstrate they are comfortable and capable in that role.

[George W. Bush]

I should also add that electoral math comes into play too — while there are pockets of black Republicans around the country, there is a large and important voting block of hispanic Republicans in Florida, a key early primary state.

Sometimes, kev, it's not just how many votes you can count. More often, it's about how your name brand as a political party is affected.

You don't think Sharpton and Jackson and the other trustees of the Dim plantation won't be making hay out of this for years to come? Of course they will.

It was only one night for the Smiley debate. They couldn't give up their fundraisers and rubber-chicken dinners for even one night so they could demonstrate they're comfortable in appealing to black and other ethnic voters? Man, that's small. It makes our party look small. It's not how many votes were up for grabs. It's how people see our party.

[llmc1]

Done.

[kevkrom]

I’m not saying what’s right or wrong, I’m just pointing out the thinking involved.

[Califreak]

>Hispanic LEGALS aren’t as pro-illegals as we think they are...<

Isn’t the idea that they are pro-illegal just MSM spin anyway? Seems like the people in power and the MSM are the ones who are cheering them on the most.

[goldstategop]

Hispandering.... I guess its politically incorrect to demand people speak English in this country!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Califreak]

>debates hosted by Tavis Smiley.<

I wish all the debates were modded like Smiley’s. At least he gave all participants equal time.

[Kimberly GG]

Well said. All or none. A great disservice was done to the African American community, IMO. I’m going to go back and take a re-read of the posts for the reasons Freepers gave to justify non-participation.

[Convert from ECUSA]

GASP!!!! What?!??!?!? People should speak English in the USA?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!? What kind of a “mean, intolerant, hateful, xenophobic, anti-immigrant r-a-c-i-s-t are you?!?!??!?!?!?!?!” The idea, that we “mean, nasty, intolerant, hateful, xenophophic, anti-immigrant r-a-c-i-s-t-s” should demand anything.....why, don’t you know that English speaking Americans are responsible for all the “evil”, “oppression”, “exploitation”, and general “meanness” since Adam and Eve!?!?!?!?!??!

/sarcasm off

I just couldn’t resist. :)

[Finny]

If every election were decdided by Cuban, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan ex-pats, the GOP would win every race.

Add Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Korean to that mix. Sometimes I feel like a stranger in my own country and way out of place for being the only person within a three-mile radius who has blue eyes (!), but by golly, I have developed considerable respect for the values, business savvy, and delightful humor of many Asian immigrants in So Cal. To say they're productive people is to put it mildly. And remember during the LA Riots back in the '90s? The good ol' Asian immigrants were armed to the teeth defending their businesses from maurauding low-lifes. Some day we born-here Americans will be damned glad to have these naturalized Americans on our side.

[WildcatClan]

You make some really fine points but I suppose it’s all irrelevant for me anyway because I don’t get Univision. :) I guess I will have to hope Walter comes through for us again. BTW, Fred announced on Sept 5, 2007 and the PBS debate in Maryland was Sept. 27, 2007, IIRC. Just going from memory here, but IIRC, Fred had the same opportunity to be there as the rest. I think he even had a podium at the debate with his name on it.

[George W. Bush]

Well said. All or none. A great disservice was done to the African American community, IMO. I’m going to go back and take a re-read of the posts for the reasons Freepers gave to justify non-participation.

It's embarrassing. You may notice we have almost no blacks left posting at FR any more. Gee, I wonder why. People love to gush over J.C. Watts but he thought they should be there too because it's makes it so much harder for him to advocate voting Republican when they get away with such a boneheaded stunt.

I expected this from Giuliani who is some kind of racist, IMO. But I was very disappointed in Mitt and McCain that they didn't show up. They should have been there to represent our party and keeping in mind the need to appeal to all Americans during the general election.

[khnyny]

OK, before the anti-illegal immigration crowd gets in here (I am also one)-If every election were decdided by Cuban, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan ex-pats, the GOP would win every race.

You're right. They are, as a whole, very conservative. They are also very entrepreneurial and pro capitalism.

I've had friends from South America, Cuba and Europe come to this country legally, and it took them years to go through the process (except for the friends from Cuba). It pains me to think of their sacrifices when I see what is happening with illegals in this country.

Personally, I don't condone illegal immigration not only for the obvious bias against people who are trying to come into this country legally, but for various security, social and economic realities which are not being addressed properly.

[Grunthor]

Through my policies as President, Spanish language pander-fests, er....debates, will no longer be necessary.

-Any Conservative Candidate.

[George W. Bush]

Hmm...I thought Fred wasn't in yet but, if he was, he gets exactly the same demerits as the others do for dissing the Afro-debate.

Looks like you got the facts. So Fred joins the willing-to-Hispander-but-stiff-the-blacks GOP "frontrunners". It's a shame. There is a basic decency to Fred. For that matter, I still can't believe Mitt didn't go because he needed to attend for, well, obvious reasons having to do with the history of Mormon religious beliefs and dark-skinned persons.

Well, we'll try to act real surprised and indignant in 2008 when 92% of the black vote goes to the Democrats again.

[daylilly]

“You may notice we have almost no blacks left posting at FR any more.”

How can you tell when people post with anonymous screen names?

The ones I knew of several years ago are still here, and still posting.

[cripplecreek]

I just saw a posting by Kevin yesterday.

[WildcatClan]

Yeah, the way I look at these things is I will take my message almost anywhere, because I am not ashamed of my message nor afraid to run it by anyone who will listen. I remembered because the NH debates were on Sept. 5th and that’s when Fred announced or went on Leno. It was supposed to be a great tactical move but for me, voters trump tactics and since Rudy, Mitt, McCain and Huckabee are ahead of him in the latest NH poll; It turns out not to have been such a great strategy after all.

The thing with this debate is the fact it is in Spanish. There are many languages and one is as good as the other but in America, we speak English. On the other hand, The Hispanic voting bloc in Florida is very different than the one in any other state and Florida is going to be a key state. So , I guess it’s flip a coin on this one. :)

[Rick_Michael]

Depends on the generation...first generation latin immigrants heavily vote to the left, while second, third, etc...tend to be more ‘moderate’.

That almost goes with most immigrants, except east asians...whom generally are very close to moderate.

[WildcatClan]

It is really hard to fault Freepers when Star parker wrote an article that basically said, “she didn’t blame them for not showing up”, so there is that. I usually agree with her, but not so much on this. If Michael Steele had the intestinal fortitude to show up there, then it surely gives one the impression that the others are just plain cowardly.

They were very insulting to the man there and I admire his guts and grit. He was there trying to further conservatism among black Americans and win, lose or draw, they should all have been there. If for no other reason, to support Michael. We are here, and standing with you. I watched the debate and thought it went quite well. I saw no pandering, except for the possible exception of Huckabee. The rest gave the same message they always give.

[Kevmo]

Thanks for the ping. B4DH.

Here’s a very recent poll showing Hunter at 4%.

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/28889/republicans_2008_giuliani_28_thompson_19

Here’s an intrade link to the forum site discussing how Hunter might be gaining traction.
http://bb.intrade.com/intradeForum/posts/list/1797.page

Here’s one showing Fred at 6%, and discussing why.
http://bb.intrade.com/intradeForum/posts/list/1805.page

[George W. Bush]

I just saw a posting by Kevin yesterday.

Anyone besides trublackman and mafree left here?

[George W. Bush]

If Michael Steele had the intestinal fortitude to show up there, then it surely gives one the impression that the others are just plain cowardly.

We undercut Steele and J.C. Watts when our candidates pull this. At the debate, it was clear that Steele was embarrassed and disappointed. What can he be expected to do to expand black outreach if our candidates humiliate him like that?

[cripplecreek]

Anyone besides trublackman and mafree left here?

Don't know nor do I care, race isn't an issue for me.

[CottonBall]

As in the Democratic debate, the questions will be asked in Spanish and translated into English for the candidates, who will wear earphones. Their responses will be translated into Spanish for viewers.

This is so wrong, on so many levels.