Psst: Republican Party of Texas: this all you got?
How about we count some of the ways this is stupid, ignorant, ineffective, and downright offensive? Okay?
First off, do you really think it is effective to bash President Obama to a community that voted overwhelmingly for him? Isn’t it time we pulled something out of our hat besides Obama bashing?
Next, lets look at the five “points” that are supposed to make Hispanics regret their vote and send them running to Republicans for help.
- Better off today? – Well, no, they probably aren’t. But then again, they weren’t better off before the last election and Hispanics still voted for the guy.
- Record college costs – Instead of stating the obvious, why not state what Republicans would do to reduce costs and debt? Um, hmm.
- Housing program failure – So Obama saved 2 million people from foreclosure but if he didn’t save you, you should be mad. Is that what this says?
- Breaking “La Promesa” – Seriously? Because Obama didn’t do the job Republicans refuse to do, we are going to blame him?
- Rising Health Care Costs? – Do you really think that people without insurance care much about rising premiums?
Completely ineffective for the target audience. Now, if this was addressed to white folks in the ‘burbs, it might just work! But are these the issues that Hispanics in Texas face today? Methinks someone at the Republican Party of Texas needs to get out into the neighborhoods and talk to people!
Now, I’m not finished just yet because I haven’t touched on “offensive”.
Let me ask you something? Why is smiling President Obama light-skinned while bad President Obama is dark?
How do you think that will play in the homes and communities of black citizens across Texas?
Get a clue folks. Get out from behind your computers and meet the people you are targeting. You just might find some success!
Oh my God! One of the few times I totally agree with David Jennings. The Establishment Republican Party is absolutely clueless when it comes to outreach. When are we going to start making the case for our side. I would hope we can convince people to vote for us rather than against the other guy.
It reminds one of going to the club for a scotch and cigar. I have to say, this shows no desire to really help but just to spew a few words.I've wondered why we don't offer free Adult English classes with reading and writing……. at their neighborhood hang our places. I wanted to do that until I realized I can't speak Spanish ha. If you teach a man to fish…..
Well said.
Meanwhile across the aisle: http://battlegroundtexas.com/blog/standing-room-only-in-lubbock.
“Now, if this was addressed to white folks in the ‘burbs, it might just work!”
David, to some extent that is to whom it is targetted, not to effect outreach but to sell outreach for fundraising and to rally the base. In any case, Anthony and you are right on target. The term “outreach” is contradictory and needs to be discarded. We should evoke more inclusive terms like “engagement” and “inclusion.”
Great commentary, David. Let us hope the Republicans do take the time to get out into the Hispanic communities.
I said this three years ago when I ran for office, get out in the communities. When you have meetings and speakers you are clearly not reaching out to Hispanic communities because they do not show up! So of course , as many of my friends, family and coworkers continue to believe this to be true. Sad, but true and you always get it right. Thank you, Jennings
David, you said it very well. Don't be disappointed if your suggestions fall on deaf ears. RPT probably has a much different agenda than winning the hearts and minds of
millions of potential voters.
I could not have said it better. The next generation of Republican Leaders will heed this advice. Those in office today are serving on borrowed time.
Simple
The irony about the college costs issue is that Republicans often oppose the tuition reduction which immigrant Hispanics get under state law, preferring to raise tuitions for children reared in the USA, but to non-citizen parents.
The state party had a similarly ineffective flyer for the November 2012 election, focusing on social issues rather than jobs and the economy.
This perked my ears:
“Instead of stating the obvious, why not state what Republicans would do to reduce costs and debt? Um, hmm.”
Maybe I haven’t been paying attention, but I haven’t heard of any specific plans from either party that sound like they would successfully address that complex problem.