Meg Whitman courts Latino voters. Will it work?

 

Meg Whitman has launched her first Spanish-language ads in her bid for governor. But can the Republican gubernatorial nominee successfully court the Latino vote?

One of the ads highlights Whitman's opposition to a controversial Arizona law that compels police to check the immigration status of those stopped on suspicion of a crime. It also says Whitman opposed Proposition 187, the 1994 California ballot measure that would have denied taxpayer-funded services to illegal immigrants. The other focuses on jobs and the economy.

Strategists say Whitman, a billionaire who has put $91 million of her personal wealth into her campaign, must secure substantial support among Latinos if she hopes to prevail over Democrat Jerry Brown in November.

"Unless she gets over one-third of the Latino vote, I don't care how much she spends, she's not going to win," said Allan Hoffenblum, a former Republican consultant who publishes the California Target Book. "She was pushed further to the right on that issue than she wanted to go, but the one key thing she remained steadfast on, even though she whispered it during the primary, was that she opposed the Arizona law."

In the video above, Times Political Writer Seema Mehta assesses the Whitman strategy. What do you think? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Kittybarfola]

I don't believe her since it's convenient for her to say this now since she has never voted in the past.

[mark]

She's no conservative. Ready to give even more concessions to illegal activity. On the campaign trail she boasted of not giving amnesty when she really did plan on amnesty for votes. She doesn't have my vote. My conservative friends knew she would do this.

[Ron]

"but the one key thing she remained steadfast on, even though she whispered it during the primary, was that she opposed the Arizona law."

This is a surprise to me since her radio ads here in the Central Valley talked about how "tough" she would get on illegals, with the positions voiced mirroring AZ1070.

Hate to say it but Meg has real issues, starting with the fact that she has no idea how our system of Government works. From forming "teams" in the legislature to work on issues, to saying she will decree solutions she shows that she does not understand the Business model of a Democratic Republic. If elected she will have the same success as a Governor as she had a FTDs CEO.

So we have the to choose between:
The "professional" politician - Moonbeam
Or
The CEO buying herself a new chic hobby called Governor

Is it any wonder that the State is in the trouble it is in!

[gemini]

How could she oppose prop 187 if she hasn't voted in 20+ years.

[BaDaBoom]

WHY NOT?

[BaDaBoom]

THE AZ IMMIGRATION BILL IS ALL ABOUT LAW AND ORDER. MANY STATES ARE NOW ORGANIZING SIMILAR LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THE LAWLESS AND THUGS FROM SOUTH OF THE BORDER. JERRY BROWN IS A FOSSIL. AND IF WHITMAN WINS IT WILL SURELY BE ABOUT THE MONEY SPENT.

[Jimmy]

Why would Hispanics vote for a Republican? They vote Democrat. Democrats are trying to get illegals and ex cons the right to vote. Guess what party they would vote for?

[Marshall]

It only shows me, that Meg along with her corporate buddies have a stake in illegal immigration. doesnt matter to her that 70% of Americans support the Arizona law, and maybe just as many supported prop. 187, that was overturned by activist courts. Since that ruling, look at California's economic and illegal immigrant situations.

Jails overcrowded, welfare spending exploded, emergency rooms closed their doors, affordable housing lost, unemployment at its highest, infrastructure weakening, gangs growing, racial tensions rising, tagging is a new sport, drugs is destroying school children, schools are over crowded and failing, debt is out of control, law enforcement cant enforce the law, traffic is congested, air quality is getting worse, and so on and so on and so on, LOOK AT MEXICO, Californians, and see the model California is steamrolling towards becoming.

You elected officials are at a fork in the road of who they will represent, Americans, or illegal immigrants, they cant keep trying to do both, or the whole state will fail.

[Carlos Jobim]

"...It also says Whitman opposed Proposition 187, the 1994 California ballot measure that would have denied taxpayer-funded services to illegal immigrants..."

A politician pandering to an ethnic group to gain votes?

Nothing new.

A politician pandering to an ethnic group engaged in supporting criminal activity on a massive scale, who sees nothing wrong with their behavior, and come from a culture of widespread lawlessness?

Very disturbing

[pjt2352]

The Secretary of State's Office does not compile voter statistics by race, age or gender. So how does Allan Hoffenblum come up with his ‘one-third of Latino vote statistic?

[spatter]

There you go teab bags and republicans, she's a flaming liberal, and so are you if you vote for her.

[CA Moderate]

"compels police to check the immigration status of those stopped on suspicion of a crime."

Let's be accurate. Police are not compelled but are supposed to use their judgment. That is what scares those that are opposed to the law.

[RC]

Illegal cannot vote legally Whitman!