Republican Party in Immigration Wars, by Jeb Bush

On Families & Children: OpEd: Make common cause with pro-family Hispanics

Certainly the most important characteristics most conservatives and Hispanics share are religious and family values. Hispanics tend to be deeply religious, to practice conservative forms of Christianity, and to be politically influenced by their religion But conservatism among religious Hispanics has not translated into Republican partisan affiliation. Democrats outnumber Republicans by 55 to 18% among Hispanic Catholics.

Those findings reflect huge growth opportunities for Republicans. Obviously, a large part of Republican electoral successes since 1980 is attributable to mobilization of religious voters, particularly evangelicals. Republicans should make a similar effort to connect with Hispanics on religious faith and moral values. In particular, given the tremendous attachment among Hispanics to their families, policies that are pro-family are pro-Hispanic. That is an important message that Republicans need to communicate, and on which they can make common cause with Hispanics.

Source: Immigration Wars, by Jeb Bush, p.219-221 Mar 5, 2013

On Immigration: OpEd: GOP ignores fact of increasing ethnic minorities

Numerous explanations for Romney's defeat came into play, and nearly all of them were demographic. Our nation has experienced rapid and dramatic demographic changes over the past decade, including an aging population; a reduced number of marriages; a decline of religion; and above all, a rapidly growing population of racial and ethnic minorities. Over the past decade, minorities have accounted for 85% of the nation's population growth. Throughout that time, the Republican Party has clung to its core constituency, seeking to squeeze more votes from an ever-shrinking base--in other words, it has been living on borrowed time. In 2012, the inexorable math, combined with the party's unwillingness and inability to expand its base, finally caught up with it. Source: Immigration Wars, by Jeb Bush, p.199-200 Mar 5, 2013

On Principles & Values: OpEd: GOP has proven tone-deaf in courting Hispanic voters

The strong work ethic, devotion to family, and conservative social values prevalent among Hispanics should make large numbers of them natural Republicans--and many fewer of them Democrats. Most are devoutly religious. A minuscule 7.7% of Hispanic adults in the US are divorced. The principal magnets attracting Hispanics to the US are work and entrepreneurship. Fully 60% of Hispanic registered voters own their homes.

And yet Republicans have proven themselves remarkably tone-deaf when it comes to courting Hispanic voters--to the extent that they court them at all. Attracting Hispanic votes does not require abandoning conservative principles--quite the contrary. Rather, it means seeing Hispanic voters as individuals, most of whom fervently cherish our nation's ideals.

To win Hispanic votes--and those of immigrants generally--Republicans should play to their strengths while avoiding alienating rhetoric that makes them appear anti-immigrant.

Source: Immigration Wars, by Jeb Bush, p.209-210 Mar 5, 2013

The above quotations are from Immigration Wars Forging An American Solution, by Gov. Jeb Bush and Clint Bolick. Click here for main summary page. Click here for a profile of Republican Party. Click here for Republican Party on all issues.
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