Gov. Bill Owens yesterday signed a bunch of immigration reform bills that he called the “toughest immigration laws in the country.” In using that line, he helped Democrats with their own messaging in the fall.
It was Democrats, you might remember, who first used the line “toughest laws in the nation” after the special session on illegal immigration in early July. By repeating that line yesterday, Owens is only helping Democrats with their messaging in the fall when they tell voters that they took on the issue of illegal immigration with great success – and they can point to Owens’ statement as independent confirmation of that fact.
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to employers, who he’ll be working for as vp of some trade associaton soon.
It’s a smart political statement that Owens is using -“toughest” – because the Latino Dem voters are fuming with the Democratic Party over the immigration special session. Even though the laws passed are not really much, the perception is there because of “Leader” Romanoff’s big mouth.
Latino voters are removing lawn signs, so I hear. Owens did the Dems no favor here. It’s another reminder that the Dems special session laws are destined to cause discrimination towards all Brown skin La Raza. We have been set back to the days of ‘No Mexicans Allowed’ in Colorado (anyone remember those days?) except maybe the San Luis Valley. This is not an Owens sell out at all. It’s a Dems dismissing the Latino vote for the 2006 election. It is only 19% of the vote by golly – they are expendable so the Dems can get the “U’s”.
Latinos are saying they are not going to the polls. And what are the Dems going to do about bringing the Latino voters back? Absolutely nothing.
There is just the chance that Hispanic citizens eligible to vote and likely to vote approve of the legislation.
What percent of Hispanics in the state are citizens, registered to vote and likely to vote in the primary and general elections.
Are there enough of them to swing a close election, and will they? Have they ever, statewide or local or congressional?
Wild claims don’t do much for me.
Latino voters are po’d about the legislation. Those who disaprove of NAFTA refugees are included.
Have Latinos swung close elections before? 2004 is a great example. Salazars on the ballot brought out the vote and it made a difference. We won the general assembly didn’t we?
What percentage of Latinos are citizens? About 70% in 2004, 596k.
How many are registered to vote? About 46.5%, 277k.
Enough to swing an election.
Historically the Hispanic voting numbers are low in Denver. Will that change this election, I don’t think so, but we’ll see. I disagree with your assessment of the situation though. Owens called the session, the Republicans were the ones screaming about illegals and the Dems, backed into a corner were able to pass laws that didn’t discriminate, but rather were able to do something to address the problem.
Many Hispanics I know are torn on the issue, there is the national pride issue, but, like you said, the majority are here legally and don’t enjoy being grouped with the minority. I think the Dems came out ahead and the votes will reflect that.
From a Denver Post article, 7/16/06:
Seventy-one percent of Hispanics thought Owens chose politics over substance.
More than three-quarters of those polled had no idea how their state representative or senator voted on the services bill, and 40 percent said a vote in favor of the bill would not have any effect on their vote.
Twenty-two percent of those polled said the Democratic leaders in the legislature were the most effective during the special session, while 20 percent named Owens. Republican leaders came in third, with 11 percent.
that 60 percent thought that their legislators vote would have an effect on their vote?
Car31, could you plese put a link the the poll you are referring to? I can’t seem to find it.
http://www.denverpos…
If 75% of those responding didn’t know how their legislator voted, I don’t know how that vote could influence their decision in Novemeber.
I’ll get back later. On the run this morning.