::Thursday, March 11, 2004::
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH
..The Republican strategists are heavily courting the Hispanic vote to deliver the President's second term in areas that are critical to the elections such as the State of Florida without assessing seriously the problems of assimilation. This is not a smart idea and may cost President Bush the elections. Playing the Hispanic card is a zero-sum game for politics as Latinos' party affiliations especially the later generations depend more on issues favorable to them and that address their particular needs. A case in point is immigration where the best offer of long-term earned legalization and not just short term work permits would likely get most Hispanic votes. Meanwhile the President loses votes of a proven loyal base, white-male Americans who are unemployed or are concerned that cheap labor dominated by Mexicans are taking away their job security. You can bet they will be there to cast their votes as payback.
