Hispanics Seen As Unlikely To Play Key Role In 2004 Race
/- Originally published in The Frontrunner September 21, 2004
The Washington Times (9/21, Curl) reports President Bush and Sen. John Kerry "have set up aggressive campaigns to draw Hispanic voters," but "the nation's largest minority bloc is unlikely to play a decisive role in the 2004 presidential election, based on their past voting records and their populations in battleground states."
Although election analysts "predict more than 7 million of the nation's 40 million Hispanics will vote on Election Day, the bloc represents 7 percent or higher in just five battleground states: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Florida." Brookings Institution analyst Bill Frey said, "This race will be determined primarily by white voters." The Times adds, "As evidence he offers these statistics: One-third of Hispanics are below voting age, and another quarter are not citizens. Thus, for every 100 Hispanics, only 40 are eligible to vote, 23 are likely to register, and just 18 are likely to cast ballots. For blacks the comparable number is 37, and for whites, nearly 50."
