AN EXPENSIVE DATE :

President Praises Mexican Immigrants (Associated Press, May 5, 2002)

President Bush yesterday honored the Cinco de Mayo holiday and praised immigrants whose hard work and family ties enrich America.

In his weekly radio address, Bush renewed his pledge to help "the entire American familia achieve prosperity and live in peace."

He said that people on both the U.S. and the Mexican side of the Rio Grande value independence, freedom and opportunity. He cited Mexican immigrants for their "strong values and their determination to create a better life for themselves and their children."

Bush worked with measurable success to win Hispanic votes in his 2000 presidential campaign. He has tried to strengthen ties with theSpanish-speaking community and is the first president to follow his weekly radio speeches with a Spanish translation.

The best thing about this courtship is the moronic way that Democrats have chosen to respond. Several have said that the Republicans are just trying to buy Hispanic votes and will do anything they have to in order to purchase their loyalty. So, I'm thinking, if I'm Latino, what's wrong with someone who wants me so badly that money is no object?

When Bush appoints a Hispanic to the next Court vacancy, the Democrats will claim that he was only chosen because he's Latino. Yeah? And that's a bad thing for Hispanics?

UPDATE :
Republicans Unveil TV Show in Spanish (WILL LESTER, 5/06/02, Associated Press)

Republicans are stepping up their drive for Hispanic support--considered crucial to GOP success in upcoming elections--by introducing a Spanish-language television program on public affairs.

Republican National Chairman Marc Racicot planned to announce details Monday of the latest GOP venture to improve the party's appeal in the fast-growing Hispanic community. The title of the new show will be "Abriendo Caminos," Spanish for "opening paths."

'"Abriendo Caminos' is an opportunity to communicate directly with the Hispanic community," Racicot said, adding it is important that the Republican agenda "reach every community across America." [...]

President Bush got about 35 percent of the Hispanic vote in the 2000 election. Republicans hope to build on that base, especially in races for governor, the Senate and the House in regions with large numbers of Hispanics.

The number of Hispanics in the United States has grown rapidly over the last decade and they now make up almost as big a share of the population as blacks. The population of Mexican-Americans grew by 53 percent over the last decade, fueling the surge in the Hispanic population.

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 5, 2002 8:50 AM