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Este informe no está disponible en español. Hispanic Link News ServiceGore Beware: GOP Convention Promises Major Press for Latinosby CYNTHIA L. OROSOAugust 13, 2000 Gore Beware: GOP Convention Promises Major Press for Latinos The show Republicans put on in Philadelphia this month affirmed a strategy -- with symbols and cymbals -- that Democratic planners best not ignore as they shape their schedules and messages for Al Gore's White House campaign: George Bush is going to fight very, very hard for the Latino vote. On the convention stage at First Union Center in Philadelphia, Latinos of all ages and hues were showcased in proud Spanish and articulate English. They were given a king-size abrazo -- `` a huge cultural hug'' -- as the GOP embraced hispanidad as never before. To the Hispanic electorate, the Grand New Party made its point well: George W. Bush is ``a different kind of Republican.'' An unprecedented total of 11 Latinos were given highly visible onstage roles. Three -- California Assemblyman Abel Maldonado, whose entire six-minute speech was given in Spanish; George W. Bush's nephew George P., who blended Spanish and English in an effective pitch for Uncle George; and musician Jon Secada -- spoke in prime time. Ten-year-old Mari Griego of New Mexico sang the national anthem on opening night, and Vietnam War hero Everett Alvarez led the Pledge of Allegiance the second night. Tall, dark and Hollywood-handsome George P. -- the 24-year-old son of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and his Mexican wife, Columba -- was one of the convention's stars. He drew raves from delegates and the media alike as he promised that his uncle will ``work for people de todos los orígenes so they can share in the prosperity of el sueño americano'' The American Dream. Maldonado's speech was one of many where the convention audience was disengaged, but no matter; the symbolism was there. Even the criticism it drew from outside the hall -- led by liberal U.S. Rep. José Serrano (D-N.Y.) and conservative Jim Boulet Jr., executive director of English First, representing ends of the political spectrum -- could play to Bush's advantage as he appeals for middle-ground votes. Serrano accused the Republican Party of hypocrisy, citing past GOP attempts to pass English-only legislation. Boulet admonished that future conventions might resemble ``a meeting of the United Nations, with each delegate wearing a headset in order to hear a translation of the proceedings.'' Convention-related activities geared to Latinos included a gala at the Philadelphia Museum of Art attended by 2,100 people, by Deputy Press Secretary Leslie Sánchez's count. Emilio Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, Celia Cruz and Campanas de América performed at the Un Nuevo Día event. It marked George W.'s first stop in Philadelphia. He was introduced to the youthful, predominantly Latino crowd by his nephew. Even a local mariachi group was enlisted to welcome delegates as they passed through one of the entrances to the convention hall. And $3 buttons with Taco Bell's Dinky proclaiming ``Yo Quiero Bush'' were popular political paraphernalia. Hidden by the colorful spectacle was the reality that Latinos were in short supply in delegate seats. An Associated Press tally found only 3.3 percent were Hispanic, far below their 12 percent representation in the population. A Hispanic Link survey found just two Hispanics among New York's 93 delegates, and four in the 74-person Illinois delegation. California and Texas fared better, but nowhere near their representation in the states' population counts. Only Florida, with 17 Hispanics in its delegation of 80, approached parity among major Hispanic states. But in contrast to the 1996 Republican convention in San Diego, Latino groups were also missing among the protesters shadowing convention functions around the city. R2K Network, the coalition of seven activist organizations that coordinated protests in Seattle and Washington, D.C., opposing the World Bank, did not have a specific Latino activist group involved with its efforts. The People of Color Direct Action Network did include a few Hispanics marching in the streets against the death penalty and police brutality. Meanwhile, inside, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, with nine out of 10 of its members Democratic, honored U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla of San Antonio and other Latino delegates. Representatives of the coalition of activist organization the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, including its chairman Manuel Mirabal, who heads the National Puerto Rican Coalition, joined leaders of the League of United Latin American Citizens, in addressing students participating in the GOP's Political Education Program (PEP). Established in 1988 by Al Zapanta, chairman of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, PEP brought 150 Latino college students from throughout the country to partake in convention activities. Staying on message like a veteran, George P., who served as the convention's youth chairman, sat for both English and Spanish media interviews. In an session with FOX News Channel, he stressed that the GOP is making strides toward including Latinos, and that he has witnessed a ``sense of fear'' from Hispanic voters who ``feel their support has been taken for granted by the Democrats.'' All in all, the convention accomplished its Hispanic objective: to let the nation's 33 million Latinos know that there is a place for them in a party that four years ago attracted only 21 percent of the presidential vote. Cynthia L. Orosco is a correspondent with Hispanic Link News Service in Washington, D.C. Reporter Anthony McCartney assisted in reporting this story. Orosco may be reached at cynthia@hispaniclink.org
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