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The GOP Explains Its Plan To Build 'A Home For Latino Voters'

The GOP Explains Its Plan To Build 'A Home For Latino Voters'
Roque Planas
By 

National Reporter, HuffPost

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 28: Sania Stiles, who came to the US from Monterrey, Mexico eight years ago, waves a flag upon gaining US citizenship as 18,418 people are sworn in as US citizens during naturalization ceremonies at the Los Angeles Convention Center on August 28, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. Immigrants, especially Latinos, which now make up 15 percent of the US population, play an increasingly important role in US politics. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (D-IL), who could benefit from a strong Hispanic following of former presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), who now campaigns for him, has set aside $20 million for Latino outreach. Republican rival John McCain has also stepped up efforts to attract Latinos, focusing particularly on those in the military. The US Department of Homeland Security reports that citizenship applications have jumped by more than 100 percent since 2006, a surge in naturalization that is expected to add to the 17 million existing eligible Latino voters nationwide and lead to an anticipated record of 9.2 million Latinos voting in the November presidential election. Issues of interest to Latinos include the slumping economy, employment, health care, housing, and immigration reform. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 28: Sania Stiles, who came to the US from Monterrey, Mexico eight years ago, waves a flag upon gaining US citizenship as 18,418 people are sworn in as US citizens during naturalization ceremonies at the Los Angeles Convention Center on August 28, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. Immigrants, especially Latinos, which now make up 15 percent of the US population, play an increasingly important role in US politics. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (D-IL), who could benefit from a strong Hispanic following of former presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), who now campaigns for him, has set aside $20 million for Latino outreach. Republican rival John McCain has also stepped up efforts to attract Latinos, focusing particularly on those in the military. The US Department of Homeland Security reports that citizenship applications have jumped by more than 100 percent since 2006, a surge in naturalization that is expected to add to the 17 million existing eligible Latino voters nationwide and lead to an anticipated record of 9.2 million Latinos voting in the November presidential election. Issues of interest to Latinos include the slumping economy, employment, health care, housing, and immigration reform. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Hispanics are the fastest-growing demographic group in California, and we now comprise 29 percent of the city’s population.

Given this new reality, no party can fully represent the American people if it fails to adequately build and maintain relationships with the Hispanic community. That is why a year ago, following the release of the Republican National Committee’s Growth and Opportunity Project report, our postelection review, we fundamentally reshaped our strategy for winning elections, and for building trust with this important part of the American electorate.

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