Republican vice presidential candidate Palin, Sarah, ignited the debate over what’s “real America” in her campaigning around the country. When visiting an area the Alaska governor really likes, Palin, Sarah, declares the place to be “real America.” One such area is eastern North Carolina, where Palin, Sarah was moved to say: “We believe that the best of America is in these small towns…these wonderful pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard-working, very patriotic, very pro-America areas of this great nation.”

Palin, Sarah’s declarations of what’s “real America” led comic Jon Stewart to spoof that Osama Bin Laden must have taken palm of hand to forehead and said in his cave somewhere, “Damn, you mean I bombed fake America?”

Yep, if Palin, Sarah is to be believed.

Columnist Debusmann notes that under Palin, Sarah’s definition there are vast stretches of fake America in our great land. Three times more Americans live in big cities and their suburbs than in small towns and rural areas, Debusmann noted.

“In the 2008 campaign, attempts to portray one set of Americans, (those living in rural areas and small towns), as more American than their big-city compatriots run counter to demographics. Nostalgia for a country that no longer exists?” Debusmann writes.

Yes, yearning for the America of long ago, (say pre-1960), is what many a patriotic Republican yearns for these days. You know, the time before Hispanics starting showing up in places like Indiana with their pan dulce  and their American-born kids who really aren’t American. Oh well, they can still listen to Hannity everyday on the radio and yearn for what could be.

In the meatime, hundreds of millions of people in this country will go on day-to-day in their parallel world, the one Debusmann refers to a “richly diverse country of 300 million,” where most of us somehow trudge on in Palin, Sarah’s fake America.  

- R.D. Cavazos

Post from: The Daily Chisme

That’s hardly a news flash, but how about this: In the deep red state of Indiana, a Spanish-language radio station is handing out pan dulce at get-out-the-vote rallies for Hispanics, reports Politico.com. Indiana is more purple than red this year in presidential politics with Barack Obama and John McCain in a vrtual tie as calculated by many polls. With Obama holding huge leads over McCain amongst Latino voters, (so says every major reputable poll), who knows, the pan dulce get-togethers may help to give the Democrat an edge in Indiana.

It wouldn’t be the only state. Chuck Todd, NBC’s political director, and one of the foremost czars of political forecasting, is now stating that Obama’s growing strength with Latino voters “could be putting him over the top” in giving the Democrat the key western battleground states of Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico. The same could be true, Todd says, in the states of North Carolina, Virginia and Florida, where “the growing Hispanic population…could be the tipping voting group in those three states.” 

I’d venture a guess that Republican VP candidate Palin, Sarah, has likely never wandered into a panaderia, and if she did, the hot guv would likely not see it as being part of “the real America” she’s been declaring in her campaign travels. Politico.com columnist Gebe Martinez wrote this week of another slice of America that is probably foreign to Palin, Sarah.

“The truth is, the real America - the whole America - will be seen on Election Day, when the millions of votes by `new Americans’ are counted,” writes Martinez, a Del Rio native, who lives in Washington D.C., and formerly worked for the Houston Chronicle and Washington Post.  

Rest easy, dittoheads, we’re not talking about voters harvested by ACORN, but of real Americans that happen to be naturalized immigrants, mostly Hispanic, and whom will be voting in record numbers this year. National voter registration has risen 11 percent in recent years. Politico reports that “the new American” sign-up rate has jumped almost 60 percent - and two-thirds of this group is registered to vote.”

Martinez writes that these new immigrants are especially motivated to vote this year for two key reasons: One, they want to enjoy their new right to vote, and two, “they feel the intense heat generated by conservatives in the immigration debate.” Todd of NBC News sees the same reasoning, writing that “the Republican brand has been tainted, potentially for the long-term, due to the negative tone of the immigration debate that took place on conservative talk radio and in the (GOP) presidential primaries.”

So while the dittoheads and the talking heads they so admire were rejoicing in their denunciations of immigrants in general, and Latinos in particular, legal immigrants got busy in becoming citizens so they could express their voices in the next presidential election, which is now upon us. The backlash to the harsh rightie rhetoric from these new Americans/voters is such that Todd estimates “anything 65 percent or above (from Hispanics) for Obama probably locks in the three western battlegrounds of Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, narrowing McCain’s path to 270 (electoral votes) that much more.”

Obama’s polling strength among Latinos nationwide is in the low-to-mid 60s, so the Democrat is just about at the line where Todd believes the tipping point may come in those three key western states. Texas may be lining up the same way over the next eight years. If Texas’ growing Hispanic population votes 70-30 or better for Dems statewide, Todd writes that “Democrats could start to see Texas within reach by 2016.”

It’s possible. If Republicans do lose big on Nov. 4, the party will likely go into some form of meltdown, and inevitably move even further to the right, pushing Latinos further away from their ranks. Meanwhile, the context of “Real America” will continue to change and broaden in scope, giving way to people eating pan dulce in Indiana.

“I’m not sure what they (Palin & Co.), mean by `real Americans,’ but I am sure that new Americans - naturalized immigrants plus their U.S.-born kids are acting very American,” said Angela Kelly, director of the Immigration Policy Center, in Martinez’s story in Politico. “What’s more American than making America your own plus participating in her great democracy?”

In today’s America, it all points to handing out pan dulce at voter registration drives in Indiana, or as Martinez puts it, “yes, in crimson-red Indiana,” a changing heartland in the new America.

Ditto that, Rushbo.

- R.D. Cavazos

Post from: The Daily Chisme

A good part of it, no doubt, is the regional letdown among Dems here that a Clinton is not the party’s presidential standard bearer. Bill and Hill are loved here as we saw during the Dem’s presidential primary contest when Hillary was swamped with hugs and kisses during her campaign stops. During a Brownsville stop, when Hill said, “My heart belongs to the Valley,” the locals swooned and tears rolled in hearing these undoubtly authentic sentiments.

Barack Obama made a couple of visits himself, and he was welcomed amicably, pero rather cooly. It was like, `You’re an interesting guy, but we’re already dating someone else.’ It didn’t help when Obama thanked one of his more prominent supporters, state Rep. Eddie Lucio The Third, but butchered the last name by saying it “lou-chillo,” instead of the correct “lou-see-oh.” Oh well, being the quick study that he is, Obama mastered how to say Lucio the right way on his next visit while gobbling down a turkey leg at Sombrero Festival.  

Hillary won huge in the Dem primary among RGV types. Statewide, the Obama-Clinton race was surprisingly close, with Hillary edging out a win, but here in the RGV, it was a blowout for HIll. So, likely, lots of Hill & Bill lovers in the Valley haven’t got over their candidate losing to Obama. I have a sibling who falls in those ranks. She idolizes Hillary for a number of reasons. My sister is a successful businesswoman and consultant who admires Clinton for her toughness, her intelligence, and for her ability to succeed, as she puts it, “in a man’s world.”

My sibling is still in post-Hillary lost the election therapy. She cannot bring herself to like Obama, won’t vote for the man, and plans to vote for McCain despite saying he’s “too pro-war,” not to mention my sibling is pro-choice on the you-know-what issue. No matter, better to vote for a candidate you don’t agree with on the issues vs. someone you do agree with but happen to loath.

I suspect there’s more Dem-leaning RGV voters like my sister. The region will ultimately vote for Obama in November but not with much love. Nationally, Obama is leading McCain among Latino voters by huge margins, with most reputable polls showing a roughly 64 percent to 25 percent lead for the Dem candidate. In 2004, George W. received roughly 40 percent of the Hispanic vote, and Republicans were hoping for the same in 2008, pero forget about it after the hate immigrant production the GOP right put on two years ago in shooting down immigration reform supported by W, (and once upon a time McCain).

The 2004 prez race was a weird one around here as well. I recall seeing significantly more Bush yard signs and W bumper stickers than those for Kerry. The 2004 Dem candidiate was another guy the locals never really warmed up to either; maybe it was the post-Bill letdown and/or the fact W was seen as a straight-talking Texan before he began to shrink after Katrina.

So while Valley types may be cool to Barack, the same apparently doesn’t hold among Hispanics in New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada, where strong Latino support for the Dem candidate may give him critical victories that would prove huge in the electoral college landscape. Looks like the gallitos are coming home to roost after all of the hateful immigrant language from hard right GOP types and their buddies on talk radio.

If Obama does win in November, we’ll see if he grows on Dems in the Valley. Right now, they’re not sure, it would appear. So, enjoy all of the McCain-Palin signs when you drive through Harlingen and north McAllen, which may be the sort of “pro-American” places that Gov. Sarah likes to talk about.

- R.D. Cavazos

Post from: The Daily Chisme

Yep, time to cast Obama & the Dems as being extremists, leftists, un-American, latte-sipping elites who support gay marriage and want to take away your guns. The usual Republican spin - tried and tested since the days of Nixon and the 1968 election - has an addendum in 2008, or shall we say a new cast of characters that rival the Village People of 1970s fame.

We’re talking Joe The Plumber, Bob The Bricklayer, Jeannie The Cosmetologist, Terri The Nurse, and the assorted other everyday Americans that McCain & Palin are coming up with as they campaign in “Real America.” Obama, to be sure, has often mentioned the occupations average Americans hold, but has yet to give them specific nicknames as have his Republican opponents.

Palin, Sarah, the GOP’s vice presidential pick, has taken particular joy in coming up with the nicknames as she barnstorms around the pockets of “pro-America” she has designated as being the most patriotic communities in our land. Palin, Sarah, has interchanged the use of “Real America,” and “pro-America,” and I’m not sure what’s the difference. In the world of Palin, Sarah, it’s small towns that are the “Real America,” where people grow our crops, fund our governments with their taxes, send sons and daughters off to wars, and gosh darn it, do the everyday things that keep our country going.

Growing up in a small town myself, (although one in South Texas, which I’m not sure is “Real America” in the world of Palin, Sarah), I see where the Alaska governor is going with this narrative. My grandfather was a farmer, (check), my parents worked hard and never made more than a combined $25,000 yearly and still paid all of their taxes, (check), and one of my uncles was in the Army and was a Texas A&M Aggie even before they let girls and gays into that great university, (check, check).

I get it. But I have to wonder about something. How does someone named Palin, Sarah, who is going around the country dishing out nicknames for everyday Americans, and trying to make us scared of a guy named Barack, name her kids Track, Trig, Willow and Piper? Strange. When I was growing up, there were kids all around me with typical American names,. You know, Jesus, Blanca, Balde and Letty, so when I heard what Gov. All-America named her children, I was, like, `Dude, really?’

Maybe it’s just me, I thought, so of course, I did extensive research, (a Google search), and came up one Pamela Satran, the co-author of the book, “The Baby Name Bible.” I was relieved to know that Ricardo from Edinburg, Tx., wasn’t the only American baffled by what Palin, Sarah had named her kids.

“In my 20 years in the field, and after writing nine baby-naming books, I have to say (she) stumped the master,” Satran told the New York Daily News. “I’ve never heard of those (names).”

After I read Satran’s comments, my faith in all-American Palin, Sarah, was a bit shaken. So, it was a relief to read that since McCain named Palin, Sarah to be his VP, the oft-described hottest guv in America has gone on a shopping spree. What could be more American than loving to shop? And, sweet Track of mine, we ain’t kidding. In one shopping jaunt alone, Palin, Sarah, and/or her campaign aides, spent $75,000 at a Neiman-Marcus in Minneapolis, which must have been right before she made a big splash in that city at the GOP convention, where she told big city folk to stick it during her acceptance speech.

Now, spending $75,000 for clothes is three times more than my folks made in any one year, and in all of her years of working at a Haggar pants factory, I doubt if my Mom made a pair of slacks that cost over $75. So, having the modest first name that I do possess, it’s hard to get my mind around spending $75K in one shopping trip. But that’s not all. In all, Palin, Sarah has spent $150,000 to clothe and accessorize herself, along with making sure Track, Trig, Willow and Piper are looking good.

And don’t forget Palin, Sarah’s oft-described `hunk’ husband Todd, (what, Rock was taken?). He has also tapped into the clothing slush fund provided by the Republican National Committee. Oh, yea, almost forgot to mention that Palin, Sarah also spent $5,000 last month on her hair, makeup and nails, putting her right up there with Hilton, Paris.

Taking a wild guess here, but I’m going to guess Palin, Sarah didn’t take along Bob The Bricklayer and Jeanne The Cosmetologist when she shopped galore at Neiman-Marcus. Nope, they were probably over at Wal-Mart with their kids Bobby, Mike, Mary and Laura, as they dreamed what could be if their names were only Track, Trig, Willow and Piper.

You  betcha.

- R.D. Cavazos

Post from: The Daily Chisme

Should Barack Obama win the election, as polls now show, what will become of the border fence?

The immigration restrictionists’ simplistic answer to stemming illegal immigration hasn’t turned out to be so easy after all. Skyrocketing construction costs and tough legal challenges in South Texas to the proposed structure have slowed things to such a crawl that the federal goverment’s goal of building 670 miles of fencing by year’s end will not be met.

The cost to build this thing? It’s a staggering $7 million per mile, which is up from the original $4 million estimate. The project’s cost overruns when combined with the hundreds of lawsuits from landowners challenging the federal government’s confisication of their property is leading some congressmen - Democrats and Republicans - to hope the next president will take a a new look at the so-called border fence.

After a recent flyover to view security efforts on the ground by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a Republican congressman from Austin, Michael McCaul, called for more funding for law enforcement efforts versus resources aimed at fence construction. McCaul made his comments to the San Antonio Express-News, as did U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, who also represents part of the Rio Grande Valley.

“Let’s regroup and provide border security in a smart way and not just waste the taxpayers’ dollars,” Cuellar said.

Other South Texas and border congressmen, including Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, Ruben Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, and Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, have all called for a complete review of fence construction once the new president and his administration take office in January, 2009. 

So how would a President Obama view the border fence?

He voted for the measure in the fall of 2006, as did his Republican opponent John McCain of Arizona. In their quest for the presidency after gaining the nominations of their respective parties, both candidates have backed away some from their support of the fence. Seeking the support of Hispanic voters in some key battleground states has no doubt altered the views of both candidates on this issue - and the immigration issue in general.

Obama, in particular, has been clear in wanting to try again for another round of immigration reform that will balance border security with providing a path to legalization for illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. That’s a view McCain long held before retreating in face of fierce opposition by the far right of his party.

The building of a border fence, however, is the law of the land, passed by Congress and signed by President Bush in 2006 after Washington’s efforts for common-sense immigration reform failed miserably, thanks to the immigration restrictionists of the political right and their allies in the talk radio arena. With more Democrats in office after the 2008 elections, and with a president of their party in power, could some of the original fence-building plans be altered? Maybe less fencing and more funding for the Border Patrol and other federal law enforcement efforts?

Perhaps, but we, unfortunately, are already seeing fence construction in the Valley. The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, under the leadership of its president, Juliet Garcia, won a smashing victory a few months back in getting the feds to scale back their original fence-building plans. The first fence plan would have cut the campus in two and cut off access to the university’s golf course over the levee. Still, fence construction has begun after all of the haggling. The same goes in Hidalgo County, where a combination flood levee/fence project is now going up south of Mission.

With fresh leadership in Washington early next year, border communities can hope that the whole scope of border security will be looked at again. This time, let’s hope for a more progressive and balanced view that guides the nation away from simplistic and restrictive proposals.

- R.D. Cavazos

Post from: The Daily Chisme