“A friend of mine, a Hispanic entrepreneur, asked me a question some time ago. He said, ‘When is the last time you saw an Hispanic panhandler?’ I think it’s a great question. I’ll tell you, in my life, I never once have seen an Hispanic panhandler because in our community; it would be viewed as shameful to be out on the street begging.”
That was Texan Republican and Senate nominee Ted Cruz on “Fox News Sunday.” He went on to make the case that Latinos are culturally conservative and economically entrepreneurial.
Just for the record, I’ve seen a Latino panhandler or two. Or at least I think they were: I don’t usually quiz panhandlers about their ethnic backgrounds. But Cruz is right that there do seem to be fewer Latino beggars than other ethnicities, and I think his pride in this fact is refreshing — and helpful.
This is the last presidential election in American history in which the GOP will benefit from having a boring white guy as its presidential nominee.
This is not a point about racial animosity toward Barack Obama. The key, as it relates to 2012, is not the white part of that formulation; it’s the boring part. The operatic nature of Obama’s campaign in 2008 and his inability to live up to the expectations he set for himself have created a market for a bland Mr. Fixit type.
But going forward, the GOP needs to figure out a way to become more appealing to new constituencies, particularly younger voters and Latinos.
Boring white guys aren’t great for that project. But candidates such as Cruz are.
