PALIN: LOSING THE HISPANIC VOTE WAS KEY REASON THEY LOST

Sarah Palin told NBC's Matt Lauer this morning that one of the major reasons the GOP lost the presidency this year was the ticket's failure to win over Hispanic voters in sufficient numbers.

The liberal blog The Daily Kos seems to get this as well as it analyzes how the GOP blew it with Latino voters. The most interesting part for me was Markos Moulitsas' statement regarding the likelihood that Rahm Emanuel, someone who tried to obstruct movement on immigration legislation because he thought it could hurt the Democrats, will likely change his views in light of the electionr results:

I know for a fact that prominent party Latinos are viewing Rahm's new perch at the White House with some healthy skepticism. But Rahm has proven that he's nothing if not practical. Hopefully the new data from this election proves to him the wisdom of pursuing a pro-immigrant policy as not just the moral course of action, but the most politically expedient for the near- and long-term health of the Democratic Party.

Some Democrats are already ready to push forward and are thinking in a post 11/4/2008 mindset. One is Luis Gutierrez who held a news conference this week to urge US citizens with family and friends needing immigration legislation to begin filling out petitions to be delivered to the new President in January.

Gutierrez told the Chicago Tribune that he feels bolstered by the storng showing last week of immigrant voters. Gutierrez has already spoken to Rahn Emanuel about the topic and, according to Gutierrez, both agreed that they will need some Republican support despite the increased Democratic numbers. But given the emerging realization by many in the GOP that they need to begin winning back Hispanic voters, it is getting easier to envision that cooperation happening.

Comments

[Jenda]

So much for the caricature of her as a vicious racist (interesting considering who the top of the winning ticket was).

I still think immigration reform is going nowhere for several years given the 70s show economy, but Emmanuel will have to at least make a show of trying. I expect it to be only a show and follow David Broder's characterization of the Democrratic compromise as a cynical "poison pill".

[Alix]

Couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of folks :)

A kick-in-the-nutts lessson in politics: do not demonize the largest growing block of voters. Hopefully the democrats will get their act together and deliver of CIR to lock in this voting block for the next election

[JoeF]

"There is a chance that Guitterez or Jackson Jr. will replace Obama."

I needed to read that twice to get that you meant "as Senator" ...

[George Chell]

There is a chance that Guitterez or Jackson Jr. will replace Obama. However, the big 1,000 pound gorilla in the room is the sad state of the economy! Either the antis are going to inflame passions or even if they dont succeed many immigrants would be leaving the country. Last year only 500,000 immigrants came to the US. This year and next it could be as low as 250,000..simply they dont want to come due to the poor state of the economy. However, Mr. Obama's election could change that.

[Another voice]

Congressman Gutierrez knows all Chicago politicians and key players in the Obama team he will be an influential voice for the pro-immigration reform camp.