Jimmy Carter did better amongst Hispanics than Barack Obama

[Mechaman]

And Mitt "Self Deport" Romney did better than Gerald Ford.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Presidential_Election#Voter_demographics
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_US_Presidential_Election#Voter_demographics

So, this begs the question: Is the Republican Party really dead amongst Hispanic voters?

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

However, the effect on the GOP is far bigger since there are far more Hispanics now than in 1976.

[ElectionLover]

However, the effect on the GOP is far bigger since there are far more Hispanics now than in 1976.

Exactly correct! I was just about to say that, and then I scrolled down and saw your reply!

[Mechaman]

However, the effect on the GOP is far bigger since there are far more Hispanics now than in 1976.

Exactly correct! I was just about to say that, and then I scrolled down and saw your reply!

Of course there are more, however proportionally the Republicans are doing better amongst Hispanics than they used to.  Sure, it costs them more states now, but it doesn't seem to be the doomsday scenario is being touted out around here (the whole "THE DEMOCRATS HAVE WON THEM FOREVER!" line that is popular around here).

If Mitt Romney could do better than Gerald Ford while using borderline racist statements about Hispanic workers, imagine how good a future GOP Candidate could do if they were tightlipped on the issue?

[tpfkaw]

I think a lot of the perceived percentage point shift in the GOP Hispanic vote has been because Mexicans have always voted more Republican than Puerto Ricans, Dominicans etc., and because Cubans have been redesignating themselves as "Hispanic" instead of "White" on exit polls.  Nevertheless, it is somewhat bizarre that the GOP gets a higher share of the Hispanic vote now than back in the day.

[Liberalrocks]

Gerald Ford did marginally better among Blacks then George W Bush did.

[Mr.Phips]

There was a far smaller sample size in 1976.

[eric82oslo]

Nevertheless, it is somewhat bizarre that the GOP gets a higher share of the Hispanic vote now than back in the day.

Wow, imagine Republican leaders talk like that today. Most of this rethoric is even more liberal than what most of today's mainstream Democratic politicians would lay out there. I can see now why Republicans were so well-liked and respected during the 80ies with such compassionate viewpoints as these being communicated to the public...

[SPC]

I think a lot of the perceived percentage point shift in the GOP Hispanic vote has been because Mexicans have always voted more Republican than Puerto Ricans, Dominicans etc., and because Cubans have been redesignating themselves as "Hispanic" instead of "White" on exit polls.  Nevertheless, it is somewhat bizarre that the GOP gets a higher share of the Hispanic vote now than back in the day.

When did the parties switch on immigration? Was it 1992-94 with Buchanan and Prop 187?

[tpfkaw]

I think a lot of the perceived percentage point shift in the GOP Hispanic vote has been because Mexicans have always voted more Republican than Puerto Ricans, Dominicans etc., and because Cubans have been redesignating themselves as "Hispanic" instead of "White" on exit polls.  Nevertheless, it is somewhat bizarre that the GOP gets a higher share of the Hispanic vote now than back in the day.

When did the parties switch on immigration? Was it 1992-94 with Buchanan and Prop 187?

Basically in the mid-90s, Buchanan, motor-voter, and 187 were the biggest things, along with unions and environmental groups reversing themselves under pressure from the Clinton administration.

The coalitions for and against the 1986 bill are truly hilarious in retrospect; Mitch McConnell, Bob Dornan, and Pat Buchanan for, the AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club, Barbara Boxer, Ted Kennedy, Cesar Chavez, and Joe Biden against...

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Well, Romney was technically the first major party Hispanic nominee.

[memphis]

Imagine the internet memes that would follow "Part of my family is a Mexican."

[H. Ross Peron]

Carter was a candidate that appealed very well to Hispanics IMO, while the state Republican parties in states with many Hispanics were probably more anti-illegal alien than the national party.