[QUOTE=Armistead;2170036]Latinos made up 10% of the electorate, but that 10% plays a big role in a few key states. The Dems want these votes and the GOP doesn't want to ignore them, but must fear their base.
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The Latinos may represent 10% of the electorate, but they are also one of the lowest segements in voter turnout. Their influence far exceeds their electoral clout. It is more a case of the squeaky wheel. In addition, a very large portion of the Latinos who do vote are more assimilated into the American culture; those who are native born are not as closely tied to their "roots" and are not as keen on Latino "hot button" issues; and those who are naturalized have gone throught the long process of legalization and are not terribly sympathetic to the calls for wholesale amnesty. Add to this the more natural inclination to be more conservative or middle-of-the-road on a lot of issues (abortion, gay marriage, etc.) and the Latinos, aside from their financial contributions to campaigns really do not elevate the Dems much over the GOP...
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