tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post1299744266334121088..comments2024-03-28T00:49:30.768-06:00Comments on Pondering Penguin: What Conservatives are Doing Wrong with Hispanics and How to Fix ItKaren Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-80403249958832787502012-11-30T07:39:01.243-06:002012-11-30T07:39:01.243-06:00Congratulations on a brilliant primer. I agree wit...Congratulations on a brilliant primer. I agree with all your points. In addition to the Hispanics living in the US we can't ignore 11 million Cubans living in Cuba that now have easy access to the US. There are now about 5 direct flights a day between Miami and Cuba. As you know, according to the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966, any Cuban who sets foot in the US is granted automatic permanent residency and citizenship in 5 years . They are all de facto Americans now that travel between the two countries is essentially unimpeded. That's a lot of votes in the long term. <br /><br />Reagan got 80% of the Cuban vote, McCain got about 60%, and Romney about 49%. I agree that candidates like Marco Rubio can reverse this trend by focusing on current issues. Communism and Castro don't seem to matter anymore. Certainly not to the new arrivals and younger generations. <br /><br />It's interesting that it was Obama who really opened up travel between the US and Cuba. I'm certain the Democrats already have their eye on those 11 million Cubans living in Cuba. I suspect that people who have been dependent on the government for the past half century may seem to be inclined to vote Democrat, but I do believe that a welcoming message of personal freedom and opportunity for success will be more compelling especially if delivered by someone like Marco Rubio. <br /><br />I certainly hope that your ideas continue to gain momentum as they are essential for the future success of Republicans and our country.David Diaznoreply@blogger.com