Gonzalez predicts that ethnic solidarity will mark Hispanics regardless of the
socioeconomic gains many members make:
“I see the Hispanic community isn’t some monolithic bloc but I think the
overwhelmingly Hispanics are Democrats and within the subgroups
overwhelmingly Hispanics are Democrats …I think you see some of the same
split along class lines but its not as prevalent or pronounced as it is with the
Anglo community. And I think as Hispanics move up the economic ladder they
still are…more likely to be a Republican as opposed to someone lower on the
economic ladder, but that tendency is much less than it is among the Anglo
community” (2002).
The lack of discussion of the poverty many Hispanics experience leaves
Democrats feeling that Republican outreach lacks substance. Gonzalez acknowledged
that Republicans were expending major efforts to win the Hispanic vote, but he pointed
out, “Republicans talk about having a big tent…you could go to any Republican
gathering and it’s overwhelmingly white Anglo” (2002). Gonzalez is quick to point out
that the Democrats have Hispanics at the table, and the overwhelming majority of
Hispanic elected officials are Democrats. Furthermore, the DNC started its Department of
Hispanic Outreach in 1982, while the Republicans first organized a similar department in
2001 (Fernandez 2002; A. Gonzalez 2002).
Gonzalez also points out that the Democratic messenger is often a Hispanic, as a
majority of Hispanic elected officials are Democrats. Furthermore, these leaders feel a
responsibility and connection with all national origin groups. For instance, Johnson and
Secrets’ study of the legislative role perceptions held by members of the Black Caucus
and the Hispanic Caucus found that both African American and Hispanic legislators
harbor a feeling of responsibility toward a national African American or Hispanic
constituency (Johnson & Secret 1996). The views of Representative Loretta Sanchez, a
Democrat representing California’s 47
th
district, illustrate this race-like commitment to a
national Hispanic community. In June 2002, Sanchez went to the William C. Velazquez
19
Convention