Trump can’t get to the White House without the Latino vote
*As Donald Trump solidifies his place as the GOP presidential nominee, let’s keep this in mind. VL
By Enrique Acevedo, Fusion
Over the past two decades the Latino vote has grown into an influential force in presidential politics. Now, millions of new voters are showing up at the polls, driven to a great extent by the anti-immigrant sentiments espoused by Republicans.
Back in 1996 an unprecedented 72% of Latinos voted to reelect Bill Clinton over Republican candidate Bob Dole. It was a race that marked the birth of the modern-day Hispanic electorate. Clinton’s edge was propelled by opposing an anti-immigration ballot initiative in California known as the “Save Our State,” or Proposition 187.
The California ballot measure, supported by Republican Governor Pete Wilson, denied services such as public education and healthcare to undocumented immigrants.
Democrats understood immigration issues as a major part of Latino identity and a cause that unites the Latino vote. Republicans didn’t get it. READ MORE
[Photo by Elliott Blackburn/Flickr]
