Posted on 05/17/2006 7:47:58 AM PDT by Pukin Dog
Edited on 05/17/2006 8:30:59 AM PDT by Lead Moderator. [history]
Neither Starr County nor Cameron County are good examples in reading the Texas Latino vote, especially in South Texas.
Cameron County, which includes Harlingen, has a large population of old-school DINO Germans and therefore makes it more conservative than surrounding areas.
Starr County doesn't have enough population to really warrant comparison to the larger Texas Latino population, but for example Bush 43 in 2004 ran almost 10% ahead of Bush 41 and Ross Perot combined there (Bush 43 in 2004 ran ahead of Reagan in 1984, not many counties in America where you'd find that.)
The best counties for general comparison are Hidalgo County, containing Brownsville and McAllen (Kerry 55%-Bush 45%) and Webb County, containing Laredo (Kerry 57%-Bush 43%). In both counties, Bush 43 ran roughly about 10% ahead of Bush 41 in 1988.
Overall, I would say that the South Texas Latino movement has been about 20% towards Republicans since the mid-1980s and somewhere in the range of 10-15% since the mid-1990s. This is starting from a base range of about 20-25% in the mid-1980s. Now, on the local level, the Republican party still basically does not exist in these areas, but it'll probably just take a strong Hispanic politician from this area at the statewide level to change that, just depends on when this happens (it might be 5 years or 25 years).
Urban movement has been smaller, but is still noticeable. My old CD-29 in Houston is a good example of this.
However, Texas Latinos really do not compare that much to Latinos in other states. Politically, they tend to be socially conservative and fiscally fairly liberal and support free trade, a combination which I don't necessarily believe you'll find anywhere else among Hispanics except southern New Mexico.
Can I have your parsley?
I'm the straight-ticket choir you preached to, so have nothing to add. I haven't read the past 2000+ posts - just wanted to find out who it was that was bashing Laura so I can beat them up.
Thank you!
What I was trying to do there SP was voice a side from an angle that many here have never looked at things from. The side of trying to moderate highly charged emotional debate fairly and being complained at for whatever decision is made.
Sorry if it offends you to hear that being a mod is not all some think it is cracked up to be or that it is gravy to sop up with a muffin.
Holy mackarel!
I'm gonna need a lot of popcorn for this one...
Wrong, and you want to know why? Because the President has already set the national agenda on border and immigration reform and all it takes is a quick scan through the numerous immigration threads on FR at this very instance and you will see it's not enough for this core of single issue voters.
The process has only just started and they are still throwing their tantrums and demanding more, more, more. No, the nation and conservatives DO NOT need to appease them...they cannot be appeased.
I suggest that you visit the Whote House web site. Most speeches by the President have been ende with "God Bless America", or a variation of that.
It won't be swept under the rug, but it can be very well be placed in gridlock while the extremists on both side hold out for their stringent demands...then complain to Holy Blazes when NOTHING gets done.
And, if you think that dear Howlin is "the queen of attack mode on FR", I guess that that makes me her major domina of finishing the job, then. :-)
If you talk about staying home, or voting fringe, then you give aid and comfort to the damned Dems. If you constantly trash and bash, slice and dice the president and/or all other GOPers, and if you give the president NO credit for anything, then yes, YOU really do appear to want the Dems to win.
And you haven't a leg to stand on, trying to dismiss your blatant incivility, by saying that it's all Howlin's fault. Conservatives are supposed to be for self responsibility...what happened to you? Did the dog eat your homework, when you were in school, dear? :-)
What personal attacks do you refer to? I was called a troll, with not a single "personal attack" because I will not march lock step for the RINO ticket. I'd bet $10 the person has done less service for their contry than I have.
bttt
I think that's the major reason for the incredible tension on this thread today!
Well, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said in a somewhat different context, "...not possible without our consent".
The trolls and obvious poseurs who signed up today are no-brainers (double entendre intentional).
The sleepers are more problematical. It doesn't take long to cause them to fall apart and "out" themselves.
Is there really a problem? Perhaps. Anyone who would attack the First Lady (this First Lady in any case) has to fall among the first two groups described: trolls or poseurs. Anyone who asks why the previous First Lady was fair game either doesn't have the brains to see the clear difference, or has just outet herself as a poseusse...
What's left to discuss? That Bush is beyond criticism? I suppose sillier claims have been made. When the criticism consists of facts, analysis, opinion based on experience or history, everything and anything is fair game, as far as I'm concerned.
I am looking forward to where other Freepers stand; at least the ones I respect. No one (with rare exception) under 25 need apply...
Well I for one think you posts have been pretty good.
Even though your start and stop style gives me fits sometimes.
Name a "good" Dem and you can't use Zell Miller, he's gone and you can't you Joe LIEberman, because he stinks!
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