Cifuentes: Democrats Should Change Strategy for Hispanics

[Nambe]

Hispanic Business Inc

Alvaro Cifuentes, head of the Hispanic caucus of the Democratic National Committee, says he sometimes finds it necessary to criticize his own party when it comes to developing strategies for winning an even bigger share of the Latino vote.

Born in Puerto Rico and a resident of the U.S. mainland for 10 years, Cifuentes disagrees with his party's electoral strategy and says so publicly. Furthermore, he is determined to bring about a radical change that will have far-reaching implications for the Democratic Party.

Cifuentes wants to see Democrats abandon the strategy of concentrating almost exclusively on so-called "swing" states like Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico. ..

But California, Texas and New York, which have been ignored in the campaign so far, are also the states where most Hispanic immigrants first arrive, before moving to other parts of the country.

Cifuentes said Democrats "have abandoned a crucial strategy" in those three states, risking a backlash from Hispanics who feel forgotten by their party. ..

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[Tempest]

1. He's out of touch with Hispanics in CA from what I can see

Hispanics are for Kerry in large numbers here.

And he should know that Kerry MUST concentrate in the swing states.

California and New York are a lock for Kerry. He doesn't need to spend much time in either state.

I also don't buy him questioning Kerry's commitment to Hispanics in those states since there are other ethnic races not receiving Kerry's attention there.

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On edit:

I'm referring to Cifuentes, not Kerry.

[sandnsea]

2. Well explain it then

Instead of bitching, why doesn't Cifuentes talk to Hispanics in those states about limited time and money. Although I suspect they get it without having the realities of a Presidential campaign spoonfed to them.

[JusticeForAll]

3. He's very out of touch...

I don't have official polls and statistics to back me up, but the Hispanic neighborhoods where I have done campaign walks, have slanted toward Republican.

Support the swing states - New York is nearly locked up and California is not far behind.

Arizona and New Mexico need the boost that this demographic can give.