WednesdayFebruary132008

Young Latinos Will Vote For Obama Or They Won't Vote At All, Says Poll Funded By Obama Campaign

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First-time Latino voters who 1) voted for Barack in the primaries and 2) were polled by a company called Hispanic Economics, which was hired by the Obama campaign, declared they would not vote at all in the presidential election if Obama did not get the Democratic nomination:

More than four out of five Latino first-time voters under the age of 30 who voted for Barack Obama on Super Tuesday say that if the Democrats nominate Hillary Clinton, they will not vote at all in the presidential election in November.
“It’s like rooting for your team during the playoffs,” said one 20-something first-time voter, a New York Puerto Rican male. “If my team doesn’t make it to the Super Bowl, yeah, I’ll watch the game, but my heart’s not in it.”
For the majority of urban Latino youth, if Obama doesn’t make it to the November election, they’ll watch the returns on television that night, but they won’t bother to vote.

You don’t say!

The week after Super Tuesday, my company, Hispanic Economics, was hired by the Obama campaign to conduct surveys of 655 Latino voters under the age of 30 who supported Obama in New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Arizona. Rather than asking whom they would vote for in a hypothetical race between Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama and John McCain, voters were asked, “If Obama is not nominated, and in November it is Hillary Clinton versus John McCain, are you likely to bother to vote at all?”
When phrased this way, more than 80 percent of Latino first-time voters under the age of 30 who support Obama said, “No.”
This bodes well for the Republicans, since the nomination of Hillary Clinton, described by some of these Latino males under 30 as “unappealing,” “establishment,” “prehistoric,” and “bigoted,” could compel the much-vaunted “youth” vote to stay home on Nov. 8.

Now, in the interest of honesty, we’ve never really cared one way or the other about voting (sorry Diddy!), and we’re not the kind of person you’d ever find holding up a sign or attending a rally of any sort unless cupcakes were being served, but… if you’re going to involve yourself in politics, isn’t it kind of an asshole move to pout and forfeit the game entirely if you’re not on the “winning” team? Doesn’t that line of thinking sort of undermine the entire purpose of voting in a democracy in the first place? And, while we understand the results of this poll reflect an overwhelming bias, please allow us to say this: Jesus fucking Christ, urban Latino youth! God.

Young Latinos for Obama or Nada [New American Media]

Comments

Comparing politics to the Super Bowl??? Way to go NY and NJ for keeping stereotypes alive!! Hi-five!!

If you are a young latino, and belong to the Green party, what r u?

Some sort of brownish-green.

awww crap! Atleast Green Party Gringas are hot!

“If Obama is not nominated, and in November it is Hillary Clinton versus John McCain, are you likely to bother to vote at all?” Well that’s a leading question if there ever was one, jeesh…

And wait a minute…Aren’t Hispanic people not inclined to vote for any Black candidates at all, according to Sergio Bendixen (from the Hillary campaign)? sigh

I love how they generalized from a small sample of young Latinos from very different states (small samples are usually less representative of the larger population). Also, these early polls have proven to be worthless. Obama’s campaign should know that by now. Latinos aren’t brain dead, Mr. Obama. Nice try.

I totally feel the same way, I hate the Clintons and their Wal-Mart lovin asses and their horse faced hedge fund (what the fuck is that anyways?!!!) money grubber pimped out daughter. If Obama doesn’t make it then FUCK IT, I couldn’t care less if McCain or Hillary win, all the same to me…

As for you Guanabee editor, “Now, in the interest of honesty, we’ve never really cared one way or the other about voting (sorry Diddy!), and we’re not the kind of person you’d ever find holding up a sign or attending a rally of any sort”- Fuckin SHAME ON YOU!!!

BTW, Does anyone else fantasize about Obama pounding you from behind?

@Rebekah: Obama doesn’t seem to deal with Latinos directly (sorry to burst your bubble). If he needs Latino support, he’ll usually send someone like Ted Kennedy to do the dirty work for him. I think it’s funny that he’s just now starting to reach out to Latinos. So, maybe you should stop fantasizing about getting pounded by Obama. Hm, how do you feel about Irish men? Maybe you could fantasize about getting pounded by Ted Kennedy. I’m sure Obama would like that.

Also, for some strange reason, I get the feeling that you’re a girl who’s been around the block (barrio?) a few times. And thanks for reinforcing stereotypes of promiscuous Latinas.

Oh my Goodness, GBAN, you’ve turned into the regular “Jessica Alba” of this board, spouting Latino stereotypes left and right and with abandon. Guanabee is supposed to be fun and irreverent, and many of the editors feature vulgar but humorous comments, including Alex’s mention of tossing Jessica Alba’s salad with Mario Lopez’ tongue…do you think she’s also “perpetuating the stereotype of the promiscuous Latina”? And what about you and your sexually explicit name, “Guana Bust A Nut”? Are you perpetuating the stereotype of the oversexed Latin Lover? Please…

@Rebekah…

So…shame on Guanabee, but you could “care less if Hillary or McCain win, all the same to you”? Pick up a damn book, groupie! Or better yet, go to a tall library and jump off the roof. Happy Valentines Everyone!!!

Wait one second though—-sorry to be a big nerd—-But does a survey of 600 people actually mean anything? At all?

I’d rather walk into moving traffic than vote for Obama, so take that survey.

Oh, and also: (according to my Argentine boss anyway), Obama keeps a picture of Che in his office. That’s so representative of something larger in Obama… that charisma, “hope” and “change’ that, really, do you know what you’re getting into? Is anyone listening? Or is it really just that you want Obama to take you from behind? Like, would Che be an icon if he wasn’t handsome/played by Gael Garcia Bernal?

Or maybe that was a right-wing conspiracy that got me on a rant. But, SERIOUSLY YOU GUYS!

Ok!!!!!!!!! I added my “pounding from behind” comment as a fucking joke, not funny to anyone but me apparently, SORRY!!!!!!
Obama is hella fine and yes, that excites me… but could you really expect anything better from me, a “promiscuous Latina”? I thought I was pretty chaste, 2 serious boyfriends in my entire life, but I guess you’re right, I’m a cochina…

@Marco- “Or is it really just that you want Obama to take you from behind”- thanks for insinuating my superficiality but you also know that I dig Chavez as well and you’ll NEVER hear about me fantasizing sexually about him, if a man is handsome then he is, period. I also happen to think Mitt Romney is quite good-looking as well…

@guana-“Obama doesn’t seem to deal with Latinos directly”
wow, that sums up everything very nicely, could you be more VAGUE? What the fuck do you want, a personal invitation from politicians to vote for you? A handwritten note and a handshake? you’re fucking ignorant.

BUT PLEASE, can someone, ANYONE please explain the appeal of Hillary (I’m not going to even mention you know what)? I honestly want to know, I’ve yet to meet anyone who is/ has actually voted for her and that includes my mexican friends and relatives.

And finally,

Would it be too much to ask for people to respond to comments in a calm and respectful manner? Damn, don’t take it so personal, you know?

dont look at me, i voted green. screw hilary, a democrat in republicans clothing

Hispanic Economics is a dumb name. Spiconomics, please.

@Rebekah: How is that vague? Are you mentally deficient? He. Doesn’t. Deal. With. Latinos. Directly. Also, he’s already proven that, in the Obama world, it’s all about being black and white in America. Immigrants (or hyphenated Americans) aren’t as important to him. Also, FYI, he’s already shown a negative attitude about foreigners in this country. Remember his Punjab comment? I work with many people of South Asian descent, and a number of them were not too happy. His campaign seemed to demonize South Asians as undesirables in this country. NOT COOL! Who’s running his campaign? A group of xenophobic Republicans?

Yep, he’s already proven that he’s insensitive to certain immigrant groups in this country. And his total disregard for Latinos before Super Tuesday showed his total disregard for minorities who aren’t Africa-American. Of course, now that he wants to win, he’s turning to Latinos. How lovely. Obviously, he earned your vote.

So, Rebekah, I DON’T expect a personal invitation from politicians. And I DON’T expect a handwritten note and a handshake? I DO expect someone with as much political savvy as Obama to be respectful to Brown people (not just Blacks and Whites). I DO expect politicians to have more substance than style (this “yes we can” crap is getting on my nerves — why do people still fall for that?). Hillary has a lot of baggage, but at least she’s getting scrutinized, while Obama is getting a free ride.

Also, using the phrase “you’re fucking ignorant” kind of cancels out your other statements: “Would it be too much to ask for people to respond to comments in a calm and respectful manner? Damn, don’t take it so personal, you know?”

I’m tempted to call you an ignorant Mexican whore. I’m also tempted to assume that you have like 10 kids and an equal number of STDs. BUT … I see your point. We should respond to comments in a calm and respectful manner. Thanks for leading by example. You are such a pillar morality and civility, Rebekah.

Correction regarding the Punjab comment: His campaign released an email that included the infamous Punjab comment. Obama later claimed that he had no knowledge of it. (how Republican of him).

Hey Guana Bust A Nut-

“fucking ignorant”- totally uncalled for and very immature, I admit that…

Moving on though, “I’m tempted to call you an ignorant Mexican whore”- Why does Mexican have to precede whore?
I understand you calling me a whore; men have been using this term for almost forever to degrade and humiliate women.
I’m interested in why you felt it necessary to add the word Mexican…

It just REEKS of racism

You’ll note that I never mentioned YOUR heritage, an asshole is an asshole in any group.

Why didn’t anyone else call you on this? So its okay to be racist and sexist towards a person you don’t agree with?

For shame…

@Rebekah: First of all, the term Mexican does not denote a particular race. I call my friend a German slut all the time. She’s a slut who happens to be German. That’s it. I find it interesting that you were offended by me calling you a Mexican (actually, I guess I should have called you a Mexican American). Some people are quite happy being called Mexicans.

Sexual promiscuity (whoreness) is a behavior that is seen mostly in men, but also in some women. It’s not my fault that women (particularly in Latino culture) are judged more harshly than men. I called you a whore, but I also have no problem pointing out that men are also promiscuous (even more so than women, in fact).

You’re an anonymous commenter and so am I. These comments are meaningless (they probably don’t coincide with reality). Also, as someone else mentioned, this site is all about being irreverent and fun (and politically incorrect). And that’s why I’m here. I LOVE that! And, yes, I’m an asshole (just like my mom). Tell me something I don’t already know.

Now, am I sexist? Hm, let’s consider why I support Hillary Clinton:

I’m tired of seeing men in positions of power. I’ve worked with men like Obama all my life. Sure, these men are attractive and eloquent speakers. They mean well, but men have failed to deliver serious change for women. Women still make only (plus or minus) 75 cents for every dollar that men earn. That’s BS. No one seems to care about this issue. It’s discrimination for crying out loud! I could go on and on. There are just too many examples to list here.

My point: Hillary rocks! Women rock!!!

FYI Guana (and then we can dead this issue FINALLY)-

I’m not offended by being called a mexican, I just didn’t know why you found it pertinent to call me a mexican whore (or were tempted to anyway…). I don’t know why you find it so important to label people all the time bu their ethnicities,it seems irrelevant to me.

BTW, can you please tell me what YOU are so I can call you a “________ asshole”? Thanks!

All of you Obama haters can eat scrotum! Obama has been a community organizer for mainly black and Latino neighborhoods for years. Ask any Hispanic from Illinois and they’ll tell you of the work Obama has done in their communities. If he hasn’t reached your neck of the woods it’s because he’s still working is way there, give him time, damn!

Republicans don’t have that stupid “brand loyalty” bullshit, they’re smart enough to take chances with their candidates. That is why they were represented in the white house for 20 of the last 27 years. If the Repubs vote by our standards, GHULiani would be the front runner. Us dems who are older, female and Hispanic need to wise up, let go of the Clinton’s old way of politics and allow Obama to usher us into a new era.

@guana bust a nut….you’re an idiot.
@rebekah…you rock.

The country needs a leader, not just a President:
Throughout human history, great visionary leaders made great nations. From empire builders to army generals, vision has always been an essential part of leadership. Our country last visionary leader was JFK. Since then we have had presidents but not leaders. The difference is that presidents just govern people, but visionary leaders lead a nation. Leaders can read a nation’s future and its destiny and can guide its people to fulfil that destiny. Leaders rise above partisan politics, presidents don’t. Leaders bring unity, presidents don’t. In time of international economic and political crisis like the one looming on the horizon, America needs a visionary leader not a partisan politician. A leader can rise above the crowd to guide us and help this country achieve greatness that is slipping away from it. Barak Obama above all represents a true visionary leader the nation needs at this momnet. If we fail to elect him and unit behind him against partisan politics and special interests, the future of this country will be doomed and America will loose its supremacy to rising nations who follow their visionary leaders.
Furthemore, if Latinos voters in this country fail to see changes coming, and fail to hop on the Obama band wagon that will uplift this country and take it forward, then history will remember them as the minority group that held back this country because of their inability to see the future, and their inability to go behond their sectarian backward politics.

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