McCain's, Obama's 'pandering' lost on most Hispanic voters

California-based immigration reform activist Rick Oltman says he is continually amazed that both presidential candidates continue to pander to Hispanic voters as if they are one huge monolithic voting bloc.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain recently spoke to the annual convention of the National Council of La Raza in San Diego, reminding those in attendance about how he worked with Democrat Ted Kennedy to try to pass "comprehensive" immigration reform -- wording that some critics consider to be a "code phrase" for giving amnesty to millions of immigrants who are in the United States illegally. Democrat Barack Obama made similar promises to the group the day before.

Oltman, national spokesman for Californians for Population Stabilization, says most voters vote based on income level. "The average wage for Hispanic Americans in California is at the poverty level. People who are low income workers, when they vote, tend to vote Democrat," Oltman contends. "So all of this pandering for the Hispanic American vote over the fact that somebody is going to offer an amnesty that allows illegal aliens to stay is completely wasted."

Puerto Rican and Cuban Hispanics, according to Oltman, cannot be lumped in with Hispanics from Mexico. "Puerto Rican Americans, mostly in the Northeast, they couldn't care less about illegal alien Mexicans getting drivers licenses. You're not going to motivate them to vote for you by offering amnesty. Cuban Americans are also American citizens," Oltman explains. "And what do they care about? They care about Cuba. They don't care about illegal aliens in the Southwest and what kind of benefits they're going to get."

Oltman adds even many Hispanic Americans of Mexican descent recognize the negative impact of illegal immigration and oppose amnesty as well.

By: Chad Groening - OneNewsNow