The power of the Latino vote

In case there are any doubts about the impact of the Latino vote, look at how President Obama’s road to victoryvictory. Without the backing of this growing electorate, the president would not have been re-elected. It is as simple as that.

For example, thanks to Latinos, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado are now part of the Democrat’s map to reach the number of Electoral College votes needed. In Virginia, Hispanics make the difference in a tight race like Tuesday’s, while Florida is no longer anywhere near being the stronghold of Republican Latinos.

As an electorate, Latinos share the same concerns with other voters about jobs and the economy. This priority is followed by immigration, education and health care. It was around these issues that we were able to see the differences between Obama and GOP candidate Mitt Romney. Clearly, the Democratic positions reflected the preocupations of millions of people.

Of course, Republicans did their part, driving Latino voters away with extremist positions, especially on immigration.

As a result, Latino voters on Tuesday struck back at a Republican Party that refuses to recognize how critical this electorate is to its possibilities of winning the White House. George W. Bush landed 44% of the Latino vote in 2004 and John McCain got 31% of it in 2008, but Romney only got 23%.

This election showed a more sophisticated Latino voter who does not wait until the last minute to scan a ballot. The polls show that many Hispanics voted early, which requires candidates to work harder in advance.

The question is whether the GOP understands that it must change its message and platform to recover the ground lost among Hispanics. Passing sensible and humane immigration reform in Congress would be a good step in that direction.

As for the President, he has a promise to fulfill. We expect the White House to propose an immigration bill and for GOP lawmakers take the opportunity to usher in a constructive immigration law that will appeal to Latinos and move our nation forward.

The result of this election can be read in many ways. One of them is that the Latino vote can’t be ignored if you want to reach the White House.

La Opinión/ImpreMedia