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Este informe no está disponible en español. LATINO LINKGroups Working to Ensure Latino Representation At Political Party Conventionsby MELANIE FELICIANOMarch 24, 2000 The power of the Latino vote in the presidential race is set to make its next crucial impact on the respective conventions of the Democratic and Republican parties. (El poder de los votos latinos en la carrera presidencial deberá enfrentar su más cítica prueba en las respectivas convenciones de los partidos Demócrata y Republicano.) On the Democratic end of the spectrum, the Latino Committee 2000, based in Los Angeles, seeks to bring together Latino delegates before they arrive for the convention at the Staples Center August 14-17. The plan is to incorporate the Latino community's concerns into the party's platform. Founded by Representatives Xavier Becerra and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-California) and Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, the committee would bring together voters, particularly Latinos, to attend the presidential nominating convention. "What we're trying to do is to make sure that in the city of L.A., Latinos aren't neglected -- that we would be visible as participants and observers," said Becerra. "This is a pioneering activity. Most Latinos are Democrats and this is going on for the first time." The committee is coordinating events for delegates and designating a specific area for Latino delegates to convene for easy accessibility to the media. Latino Committee 2000 will also raise funds for convention events and for improving information among convention participants. It will also work to publicize and ensure broad media coverage of issues of importance to Latinos. Events will include breakfast with the press, a reception for the delegates and dinner for the party candidates. Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-California) is serving as the general co-chair of the convention. Her leadership is a sign that getting Latinos to participate has never been a problem. Yet, in general, Becerra and other Democratic participants said it is difficult to assess Latino attendance for past conventions. "Just looking at the archived stuff, you wouldn't guess there's a lot of Latinos involved, but quien sabe, because you don't always know what we look like," said Molly Ochoa-Patiño, a consultant to Latino Committee 2000. Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-California), who serves as the general co-chair of the convention, said the Democratic Party has historically made more of an effort to reflect the nation's diversity at its conventions than Republicans have. The Republican National Hispanic Assembly, based in Washington, D.C., is also counting down to the week of July 31-Aug. 3, when the Republican convention will be held in Philadelphia. Like its Democratic counterpart, the RNHA is also uniting Latino leaders. National Chairman Jose Rivera said proper representation at the national convention is crucial to including Latino interests in its platform. "If in fact the Republican Party intends to be the home of Hispanics in the new millennium, it is essential that they be given the opportunity to represent their interests at the national convention," he said. The Republican National Hispanic Assembly is the only Hispanic Republican organization officially recognized by the RNC. According to its web site, family values will be the main attraction for recruiting more Latino voters, especially those who have traditionally voted for Democrats. Delegates will pitch tax relief for families with children and tuition vouchers to promote school choice. The party wants to convey to Latinos that Republicans don't only stand for anti-immigration, ant-affirmative action and English-only. Most likely, the platform convention delegates will push forGeorge Bush the candidate, rather for than the Republican party. Since the party has a bigger job in convincing more Latinos to vote Republican, the RNHA is making a conscious effort to change the traditionally low number of Latino delegates attending the convention. "Some people felt we could do a better job as a party to make sure a fair amount of Hispanics are appointed or elected to the convention," said Tomas Bilbao, deputy director of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. However, Latinos from the at-large community have always attended. "Everyone and their brother wants to go to the convention," he said. "It's a good place to network. Hispanic community leaders have always attended and have been represented. We don't have to do a whole lot of inviting."
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