Misguided views on McCain, Hispanics
As one of the 200 or so Hispanic Republicans who attended the Hispanic Voices Reception for McCain at the Drake Hotel in Chicago recently, I need to set the record straight on some of Rosanna Pulido's misguided statements. It is clear she heard what she wanted to hear and saw what she wanted to see - and not what was actually said or done. To the AP, she said: "He's one John McCain in front of white Republicans. And he's a different John McCain in front of Hispanics."
McCain said nothing to this group of Hispanic leaders that he hasn't or wouldn't say to anyone else. While his comments - such as his recognition of the sacrifices Hispanics have made on behalf of this country in the war on terror as well as in previous wars - were geared toward the Hispanic audience, he was not different to us. He did not make special, behind-closed-door promises, and he certainly did not wink, as Pulido has said.
If they wanted to keep this event secret, they could have kept Pulido, who heads the Illinois Minuteman Project, from attending this private affair. They knew her agenda, yet she was welcomed. Because of this, I find statements and sentiments like Pulido's - that McCain is different to Hispanics than to white people (and presumably Blacks, Asians and other groups) - outrageous and typical of the race-baiting rhetoric that is often at the heart of the immigration issue. While I, as a conservative and proponent of immigration reform, am on record as saying we need to secure the borders before comprehensive immigration reform can be effective, the idea that we can round up 20 million-plus illegal aliens (which, incidentally, includes illegal Irish, Canadians and many other non-Hispanics), bubble wrap them and FedEx them back home is unrealistic. Not to mention expensive.
Though you'd never know it from people like Pulido, Hispanics care about more issues than immigration. Thank God Sen. McCain knows this - which is why he also spoke eloquently about the many topics that make many Hispanics at home with the Republican Party. His words on winning the war on terror, lowering taxes, defeating the drug cartels, enacting free-trade agreements, protecting the unborn, reducing the need for foreign dependence on oil, as well as his stance on immigration reform, should make every Hispanic thrilled to vote for Sen. McCain in November.
Rafael Rivadeneira
Elmhurst