The Republican Party has been evaluating their message and overall approach since they lost the general election for President in 2012. Republicans went into that election with high expectations that they could defeat the incumbent and secure the White House. Most pundits agreed. At that time, President Obama’s ratings were higher in negatives than positives.
At the end of the year, President Obama resoundingly won re-election and the Republicans lost swing states that were expected to swing their way. Was it Mitt Romney? Not really. It was more the message of the GOP and loose-cannon candidates that made outrageous comments that sounded early last century along the campaign trail.
In their post-election analysis, they have learned a few things and announced recently that they plan to spend $10,000,000 on outreach to minority communities. Though in America, using the term “minority” is becoming more of a reference than a fact. They plan to put people in these “communities” and have them become a part of the “community”. Hey Latinos, Asians and African-Americans – the GOP is hiring!
Meanwhile, they are desperately seeking candidates that will reflect their new messaging and outreach. What better person than a Latino named Bush? It really doesn’t get any better than that. At one time referred to as “the little Brown ones” by their Grandfather George H.W. Bush when speaking of Jeb Bush’s children, they are grown up now.
George P. Bush is the grandson and nephew of two Presidents and the son of a former Governor married to a Latina. He has announced his intention to seek the office of Texas Land Commissioner. George P. is an attorney and has been actively recruiting Latinos to the GOP. Texas Republicans are thrilled, of course, as it will put a Bush back on the ballot in 2014.
How will all of this help the GOP in 2016? We’ll wait, watch and analyze.
As a Latina, it has been interesting to witness such an abrupt change of approach from the GOP. It is difficult to avoid feeling a little ‘used.’
Most of the other Latinos with whom I have discussed this, regardless of their affiliation, have voiced similar sentiments. While we are happy to feel like we have finally been included in the conversation, we would hate to see this have an affirmative action-like effect.
I am afraid that legitimately qualified ‘minority’ individuals might lose credibility because the public dismisses them as “tokens.” In my opinion, this alone would really set us back more so than any seemingly anti-Latino views either party holds.