Puerto Rican Influx Could Affect Politics

[Judi Lynn]

Puerto Rican Influx Could Affect Politics

By LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ
The Associated Press
Saturday, May 27, 2006; 1:18 PM

~snip~
..... In recent months, Florida business and Puerto Rican community groups have been flooded with calls and visits from people looking to escape the island's latest political turmoil. The calls have subsided somewhat since Puerto Rico's legislators and governor reached a budget agreement that reopened the commonwealth's government offices and schools.

But experts say the frenzy highlights a demographic change that could have significant political effect in Florida and throughout the country. Unlike other recent Hispanic immigrants, Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens and can vote.
(snip)

The critical mass is also starting to get notice from both major political parties. While Puerto Ricans tend to vote Democratic, Republicans are eagerly wooing those in Florida. Earlier this month, the Republican Party's booth was the first to greet visitors at the regional Hispanic Business and Consumer Expo in Orlando.

State Rep. John Quinones, a Republican and the first Puerto Rican in the Legislature, has been touted as an up and coming leader by the state's top politicians since his 2003 election.

Democrats, though slower to dig in, are also beginning to see the Puerto Ricans as a "counter" to Miami's predominantly Republican Cuban community, Vargas-Ramos said.
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/27/AR2006052700547.html

[dailykoff]

1. I doubt they'll be voting republican

no matter how many fake politicians the GOP has in its pocket.

[Vincardog]

2. Tell them that we have plenty of room in TEXAS

[nealmhughes]

3. Boricua North is the term for a lot of Volusia County right now.

There has been a tremendous influx of Purtoriqueños in the last fifteen years or so, mostly middle class and tired of Metro New York. I know: my comadres and compadres and goddaughter are in Orange City! Ocala is also a hotbed of migration. It has made dreary old Deland and Sanford fun to visit and Daytona is just a hop skip and jump away!
Noone I know in that area would even remotely consider voting Republican! They are about as anti-Miami Mafia crowd as can be.
That is one hack's stupid opinion. Go to Volusia County, find any W stickers on a car there driven by a Puertorican and I'll eat my straw porkpie hat.

[Judi Lynn]

4. You've brought DELIGHTFUL news!

Nothing would be better for American elections than for the Cuban reactionary "exile" Miami Mafia to lose control of Florida politics, and those 25 or 26 electoral votes which they claim they personally controlled and used against Al Gore in 2000.

Once they lose their dominion in Florida politics, it's a whole new ball game.