Their goal is to highlight the differences between the two major parties regarding traditional conservative values on abortion, homosexual marriage and welfare. If, the theory goes, Latinos vote their social values, they will vote Republican. And based upon every statistical study I’ve seen, they might be on to something. The caveat being, of course, that Republicans actually govern and, more importantly, live as they speak, which, as we all know, has not exactly been their strong suit in recent years.
I noted the following attendees:
- William Rivas – Radio Host, KLVL 1480 AM
- Pastor Javier Zuniga – Iglesia Fuente de Agua Viva
- Pastor Orlando – I did not note his church.
- Pastor Charles Torres – Ministerio Recompenza and El Misionero Media
- Rebecca Montano – Lakewood Church
- Ed Hubbard – candidate for HCRP Chair
- Artemio Muniz – Conservador Alliance
- Aaron Simpson – Conservador Alliance
- James Barnes – Republican from San Antonio, delegate, SREC
- Bernadette McLeroy – RHCIA
- Ernie Garcia – RHCIA
- Dave Welch – Houston Area Pastor Council
- Nancy – friend of Ed Hubbard
- Chris Guerro
- Aline Nahhas
Ed Hubbard started off the meeting with his vision for restoring the party in Harris County. This was the first time that I had met Mr. Hubbard and he was very articulate and passionate about his vision. It is a very different vision than the current chair, Jared Woodfill. I did ask Artemio Muniz if Mr. Woodfill had been invited and he was not. Mr. Muniz stated that in his conversations with people in the Latino community, they indicated that they had met with Mr. Woodfill many times and had many promises that were not fulfilled; therefore he was concerned that if the pastors had shown up and Mr. Woodfill was there, they would think it was more of the same. As well, Mr. Hubbard had worked with the Conservador Alliance over the past several months in community outreach.
Listen to Mr. Hubbard’s remarks or download the podcast.
{mp3remote}http://lonestartimes.com/audio/Ed_Hubbard_CA_Breakfast_2.mp3{/mp3remote}
There was a round table discussion and there were many good points made by all. I will say that the current message by some from the libertarian side of the party to drop the social issues from the platform would not go over with this group. They truly believe that the social issues are the way to connect with the Latino community. Pastor Torres brought up the fact that one of the candidates for Houston Mayor, Annise Parker, is openly lesbian and he felt strongly that the Latino community would not vote for her if they knew this.
I was able to capture some of the discussion, next time I’ll try and get it all. Here are a few clips from several of the attendees.
Artemio Muniz talks about growing from the bottom up. Download podcast here.
{mp3remote}http://lonestartimes.com/audio/Artemio_Muniz_CA_Breakfast.mp3{/mp3remote}
Pastor Javier Zuniga says he cannot go against the Word. Download podcast here.
{mp3remote}http://lonestartimes.com/audio/Javier_CA_Breakfast.mp3{/mp3remote}
Pastor Orlando. I thought his comments about the youth of the community using false arguments about their rights when arguing with their parents. Download podcast here.
{mp3remote}http://lonestartimes.com/audio/Orlando_CA_Breakfast.mp3{/mp3remote}
Talk show host William Rivas discusses the community. Download podcast here.
{mp3remote}http://lonestartimes.com/audio/Rivas_CA_Breakfast.mp3{/mp3remote}
Pastor Charles Torres was the interpreter for those clips.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the energy, excitement, passion and organization displayed. The old guard of the HCRP should embrace this energy, not resist it, and join them in their efforts to reach out to the Hispanic community.
Unedited photo dump here.