To Latino GOTV or Not To Latino GOTV
There has been much discussion (here and here) about the local Latino turnout for the election. Apparently, the HCDP Chief has agreed to meet with Latino Dem activists to discuss what can be done to increase Latino turnout. Thus far, some are blaming Obama beating Hillary (which I don't believe because I tend to think that Latinos still voted by far for Obama in Harris County), while others blame the lack of a "real" effort.
Rather than simply throwing money at any GOTV effort, perhaps we need to find out why 60% of Latinos really are not voting? Is it a Dem Party thing? Is it that Latinos generally feel that their vote does not count? Is it that after decades of being courted by either party, they've come to the conclusion that they trust no one? Or are we just lazy when it comes to voting?
Until we find out the real contributing factors, and find out what exactly would serve as motivational factors, we really won't know. So, if we just pump money into one person's idea or another person's idea, we're just taking the road most traveled that has become bumpier and bumpier.
Frankly, I believe it will take a VOTER EDUCATION effort for the ages. Not just on candidates, but on the process. But if we're only willing to do this when election season rolls around, again, it's the same old pothole-filled road. In other words, we'll be arguing about which faction gets what, and who is being hired for what and how much they get paid.
Of course, I do believe it has to be Latino-led. And I do think the factions need to get over their differences in order for this to succeed. What? We don't think that could be a contributing factor to the apathy? Certainly the various factions must realize that a more dominant group is throwing a few scraps so that we may do the Gatos y Perros thing.
In Harris County, and across the nation, we have proven once again that Latinos trend Democratic. Campos and I seem to agree on GOP Jared's comment--they have no clue. So, the next decade of the Latino vote could be ours if our elected officials do right by the voters and do not take the 40% that do come out for granted.
Back to the possibility that a mouthpiece like me wouldn't get invited to the big show, we also have to see where our numbers are and which direction they are heading. Obviously, House District 126 has a good number of Latinos; HD-138, too. My own HD-127 is growing, but we're still at about 10%. Still, these must be included in the overall strategy. Many have roots in the Northside or East End, but have now made their way to the outskirts of town.
Finally, whatever local Dem leaders can do could be negligible compared to what that National Dems could do. Obama was non-existent in Texas, other than to raise money for himself. When we have the Texas Obama office recruiting people to go to Ohio and other places, and when we have local "phone banks" making calls out of Texas, there is something very wrong with this picture. It doesn't help that groups like the DSCC do little for our Latino candidates (Noriega), as well.
What I'm saying is that we just cannot meet and decide there will be more effort, without us going through a process to know WHY we can only bring out 40% of Latinos. Not only do the non-Latino Party leaders need to take this seriously, but so do the Latino leaders.
Rather than simply throwing money at any GOTV effort, perhaps we need to find out why 60% of Latinos really are not voting? Is it a Dem Party thing? Is it that Latinos generally feel that their vote does not count? Is it that after decades of being courted by either party, they've come to the conclusion that they trust no one? Or are we just lazy when it comes to voting?
Until we find out the real contributing factors, and find out what exactly would serve as motivational factors, we really won't know. So, if we just pump money into one person's idea or another person's idea, we're just taking the road most traveled that has become bumpier and bumpier.
Frankly, I believe it will take a VOTER EDUCATION effort for the ages. Not just on candidates, but on the process. But if we're only willing to do this when election season rolls around, again, it's the same old pothole-filled road. In other words, we'll be arguing about which faction gets what, and who is being hired for what and how much they get paid.
Of course, I do believe it has to be Latino-led. And I do think the factions need to get over their differences in order for this to succeed. What? We don't think that could be a contributing factor to the apathy? Certainly the various factions must realize that a more dominant group is throwing a few scraps so that we may do the Gatos y Perros thing.
In Harris County, and across the nation, we have proven once again that Latinos trend Democratic. Campos and I seem to agree on GOP Jared's comment--they have no clue. So, the next decade of the Latino vote could be ours if our elected officials do right by the voters and do not take the 40% that do come out for granted.
Back to the possibility that a mouthpiece like me wouldn't get invited to the big show, we also have to see where our numbers are and which direction they are heading. Obviously, House District 126 has a good number of Latinos; HD-138, too. My own HD-127 is growing, but we're still at about 10%. Still, these must be included in the overall strategy. Many have roots in the Northside or East End, but have now made their way to the outskirts of town.
Finally, whatever local Dem leaders can do could be negligible compared to what that National Dems could do. Obama was non-existent in Texas, other than to raise money for himself. When we have the Texas Obama office recruiting people to go to Ohio and other places, and when we have local "phone banks" making calls out of Texas, there is something very wrong with this picture. It doesn't help that groups like the DSCC do little for our Latino candidates (Noriega), as well.
What I'm saying is that we just cannot meet and decide there will be more effort, without us going through a process to know WHY we can only bring out 40% of Latinos. Not only do the non-Latino Party leaders need to take this seriously, but so do the Latino leaders.
posted by Dos Centavos at 3:31 PM
3 Comments:
It's not rocket science, Anastacio. The more a campaign or a political party reaches out to people, the more likely it is that the people will turnout on election day. I can't help but be amused at these white folks who have suddenly realized that nothing will change unless the Party engages Latinos. Typical.
Yes, but when THE GREAT WHITE SPAMMER takes credit for the meetings with the ALL MIGHTY WHITE DEMS, something is wrong with that.
Don't do Latinos any "favors".
: )
Amen, Tatcho.
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