What does Obama need to do to appeal to Hispanics in Texas?

[NJSecularist]

This has to be close to his #1 priority going forward after all these caucuses are over.

Hispanics consist of around 30% of the population in Texas. If he doesn't have a good showing with Hispanics in that state, he'll be blown out.

What does Obama need to do? What parts of TX does he have to focus on?

Or will the Hispanic vote go to Hillary overwhelming throughout the entire primaries?

[pbca]

1. I don't know what

He could do in the time left. Next week though he'll take Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia and 168 delegates

The hispanic vote in Texas may not be in play at this point, though he should surely make an effort. Hillary is not overwhelmingly popular in Texas and there is a considerable African-American population now - especially since Katrina. So he may pull that out too.

[NJSecularist]

5. He will need to make leeway among the Hispanic population

He got absolutely killed yesterday by the Hispanic vote - around 70 to 30.

If that holds up, no matter how many black and whites vote for him, he'll lose the stte.

[Frances]

2. I read or heard somewhere--I've forgotten where--

that in the past candidates that appeal to the well-educated, high-income Dem candidates like Obama usually lose primaries. The reason Obama is doing so well is that in the past African Americans have not voted for that candidate. Of course, that's not true in this primary season.

Of course, some Hispanics are super well-educated and make very high incomes, but like most African Americans, most Hispanics don't fall into that category. I think that's why Hispanics haven't been supporting Obama in as large numbers as some other groups.

[bigdarryl]

3. who cares he doesn't have to win the state out right as long as he gets a share of delegates

[NJSecularist]

6. If he wins Texas, he wins the nomination

That's the incentive he has in winning that state.

[Mags]

14. Wow, you don't care about Hispanics. Evidently OB doesn't either.

[okasha]

4. What would it take to get them to "come to Obama?"

1. Convince them that he, not Clinton, was instrumental in the economic boom along the border that began in the 1990's and still continues.

2. Convince them that he's a greater war hero than McCain.

3. Convince them that he backs a humane, legal immigration policy.

4. Take a stroll down the middle of the Rio Grande.

[NJSecularist]

8. Most definitely his immigation policy needs to change

If he values Hispanic voters. His current policy isn't doing much for them.

[TexasObserver]

7. he needs to flood Spanish speaking TV with quality ads

all over the state

Bring in Teddy, who is still very popular with Hispanics.

Recruit Texas Hispanics to go out and promote him.

He has time, but has to start now. He's got 60 staffers on the way to Texas, and will be set up Friday in Austin.

[FrenchieCat]

9. I think that Hispanics are not supporting Obama because they do not

know who he is. They have "heard" of him, but he is not a known quantity to them yet.

But The more they get to know about him, the more they will like him.

There is not a wide divide between Blacks and Browns as the press portrays it. It is an exaggeration.

They know Hillary, cause they got to know her and her husband for 8 years while they were in the White House. Also, the Clintons campaigned for themselves and many others for years. That's the built in advantage of being the establishment candidate.

Why anyone is so surprised, I don't get it! :shrug:

[ShadowLiberal]

10. Hard to say, more hispanic endorsements? He definitely needs more hispanic votes though

I've read an article earlier today about how Texas could be harder for Obama then we think from stuff like Hispanics, and lack of high income voters.

I'd say Obama needs to launch some kind of an ad campaign or something that shows that he cares about Hispanics and their needs. He's going to have to be VERY careful on the immigration issue with them though, if he starts talking like he favors the immigration reform that Bush failed to pass then he'll lose support from white voters, and hurt himself in a general election.

[TeamJordan23]

11. Hispanics in the South-west are different than the hispanics in California.

Obama did really with hispanics in Arizona and NM.

[BluegrassDem]

16. BINGO! Latinos in TX, NM, and AZ are not the same as in CA

Latinos in Texas are most often 3rd and 4th generation and they are much more likely to support Obama than 1st generation Latinos, which makes up a lot of the CA electorate. Obama has held his own in NM and AZ, and I think he can do well in TX.

[Adelante]

19. Thanks

I was posting below as you posted, I guess. That was my leaning, too, that he might appeal to that voter.

[NJSecularist]

22. Thank you for the information

Both of you. Very much appreciated.

Just to be clear: Hispanics in the Southwest are different than Hispanics in California and the Northeast (NJ and NY) who voted overwhelmingly for Hillary?

[pbca]

12. He's on pace to raise another 30 mil this month

Along with 25 (I think) in January, I'd try to find a few good endorsements from that community and then heavy ad buys - in spanish.

[leftofthedial]

13. go to the big fence along the Rio Grande, yank a chunk of chicken wire down and say

"Mr. Dobbs! Tear down this wall!"

[Adelante]

15. Something I've been wondering about with Texas

The Hispanics there in large part are different from other places. I mean many don't have recent immigrant roots, but have been there always even before Texas was there. I'm curious how the fully assimilated or Americanized or whatever you want to call it subset plays. If I'm not mistaken, they've traditionally been Republican. Maybe somebody from Texas can address the question. I would find it interesting.

[okasha]

26. Texas Hispanics are very traditional-Democratic,

ie., they align with the Democrats' traditional championship of the lower-middle to middle class. They're also in some ways less assimilated--even those who are many generations separated from Mexico--because they have held onto their Spanish language and a number of social aspects, such as close ties to extended families, that set them apart from the Anglo population.

The "fully Americanized" versions, the ones that pronounce Castillo (Cahs-tee-yo) as "Cass-till-o" are generally sneered at. I had my own first encounter with that breed when I lived in Austin, and it kept me laughing for days.

[Adelante]

28. Thanks

I know I was speculating on not much evidence. I was going by some people I've met who visited family where I live in Mexico. I've never spent time in Texas. I appreciate the information.

[rinsd]

17. Send them fliers about how he was a key sponsor for the wall?

[Rosemary2205]

18. Has Obama done much pandering at all?

I would assume so - he IS a politican after all -- but it would seem part of his overall appeal, generally speaking, is that he tends to speak to the basic needs everyone shares, rather than pandering to a single group of Americans.

[Thrill]

20. I;m baffled by this myself. But I don't think he can do much

They seem set on Hillary. He just needs to keep making gains with White Men and Women. Texas has a big Black Population as well. He clearly will win big in the Houston area

[Name removed]

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[NJSecularist]

23. You gotta be kidding me

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

[AlCzervik]

25. you win, you have the worst post of the year, thats quite an accomplishment.

[LordJFT]

24. simply campaign in texas

The more he campaings, the better he does among hispanics and everyone else.

[Avalux]

27. He needs to show up here - campaign in person in my area.

He needs to come to the San Antonio area and talk to people. That's about it!