I still don't think either political party understands the Latino vote.
Trump won 48% percent of Latino voters in 2024 because Democrats weren't discussing key issues and Kamala was a historically bad candidate, not because Latinos magically fell in love with the Republican brand.
There was never a tangible "realignment." This is a myth because it assumes there was a cohesive bloc to realign to begin with.
The political reality is Latinos are permanent swing voters. No matter what, there will likely always be a divide due to regional and ethnic differences. The challenge is to close the divide as much as possible.
What does this mean for parties and strategists?
This means both parties must actively work to win as many Latino votes as possible every election and deliver on as many promises as possible every term.
It means politicking beyond cheesy ads, and stumping beyond Miami and Los Angeles.
Parties that take Latinos for granted do so at their own peril, as we saw both in 2024 and again on Tuesday.
There is no reliable "Latino bloc" in a conventional political sense. There never was. The faster political parties accept this, the better off they will be.
This Tuesday, voters in several key states will head to the polls in elections that carry weight far beyond local and state offices. While not a presidential or midterm year, these off-year contests are a crucial indicator of the nation’s political mood. #election #tuesdayelection #politics
https://t.co/AOrzNr2kLG
In September, ICE spent $1.4 billion on surveillance technology (the highest amount in nearly two decades), raising serious concerns about privacy and constitutional rights.
READ: https://t.co/H50240HagT
During the peak of the mural movement in Los Angeles, there was an estimated 2,500 murals on city walls. Now, due to whitewashing and taggers, there are hundreds fewer.https://t.co/8k8xTFZldp
Orwell painted a grim picture of what happens when the machinery of the state becomes too powerful, too invasive, and too willing to use force against its own people.
So what are we to make of soldiers being deployed to U.S. cities today?
My column...
https://t.co/alWeqUoOdP
My essay on the history of Mexican American street gangs, the evolution of cholo culture from Southwest streets to pop culture phenomenon, and the catalyst of nationalism: https://t.co/H8oGHdAPAU
It doesn’t matter how deeply held a belief is. When a belief turns violent, it is no longer a part of a democratic society. It is a threat to it.
My column today...
LINK: https://t.co/gO4WmsD6UY
With its archaisms, rhetorical figures and exalted poetic language, the majority of Mexicans have a hard time understanding the lyrics of their own national anthem, let alone to grasp the story it tells: https://t.co/UI0G7A54vE
One of the most poignant songs that Los Tigres del Norte has ever recorded is one that tells the story of an immigrant man who leaves behind his Mexico in order to give his family a better life in the United States:
https://t.co/UMHM5gKe0H
Baseball in the United States is known as a National Pastime. However, just south of the border, it was a full-time passion for many in Latin America. In fact, by 1864 there were leagues in Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Venezuela: https://t.co/EbT5M6BB5M
Japan’s food scene is something you have to experience. Here’s a clip from the next episode of #reservationsconfirmed highlighting Japanese food. Episode out soon on @dailychelatv@dailychela