I’m a life-long Democrat and strongly supported President Barack Obama’s bid for U.S. President in 2008 and I will do the same this November. Many media outlets and blogs have written that the Latino vote in 2012 could decide the outcome of this year’s presidential campaign, and I agree. However, I am a bit concerned about how some Republicans are trying to sway undecided Latino voters their way and how many Latinos are seriously considering going over to the dark side.
I have to admit I don’t understand why any Latino, African-American, or gay or lesbian would be a Republican, but to each his/her own. I have accepted the fact that my Cuban brothers and sisters in Florida are overwhelmingly Republican, but I hope the recent influx of my fellow Puerto Ricans will balance out the Latino vote in the Sunshine State.
Thank God for Mexican Democrats across California and Texas, Puerto Rican Democrats in Connecticut, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rican and Dominican Democrats in New York. With all their participation in this year’s election, I am confident President Obama will win another 4-year term.
However, I think Republicans will work incredibly hard to get as many Latino votes as possible and I’m afraid they might succeed to some level if Latinos fall for false promises.
The main reason I am sticking with the Democratic Party in this presidential election and voting again for President Barack Obama relates to the issue of immigration.
The entire Arizona immigration controversy showed me that Republicans like Jan Brewer are no friends of Latinos. The implemented statewide immigration law clearly racially profiled Latinos and why any Latino in that state would support Republicans is way beyond my comprehension. (P.S. – Brewer recently endorsed Republican Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for President.)
Immigration reform is a hot topic and not one that can be easily resolved. However, the DREAM Act (an acronym for development, relief, and Education for Alien Minors) would be a step in the right direction. It allows non-documented youth who were brought over to the U.S. illegally a path to U.S. citizenship if they graduate from college or serve in the U.S. military. Republicans wholeheartedly have rejected the proposal. President Obama supports the DREAM Act.
President Obama’s health reform initiative will provide access to needed healthcare to millions of Latinos. What have Republicans done for Latinos in this area?
Another more personal reason why I’ll vote for President Obama again is his appointment of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. I’m still in awe that there is a Puerto Rican American on the Supreme Court thanks to Obama and I’d vote for him again this year just for that fact.
So if you’re an undecided Latino being swayed by the Republican party in this year’s presidential election, please, please…, just say no and vote for President Obama.
