LOVE STORY

Hillary Clinton’s What Happened Tells the Story of Love in Unexpected Places

Few D.C. pols could have predicted that Hillary Clinton’s doomed presidential campaign would give rise to a sizzling love affair that now graces the pages of her new memoir.  What Happened is the story of both defeat and redemption.  Its passion rises above the petty politics that most associate with the 2016 election.  [More] 

MEDIA MATTERS

Hurricane Irma Exposes Cable News Networks

CNN and other cable news networks found that the worst Hurricane Irma devastation was not in Florida but in a worse place: their credibility.  After convincing the nation that Irma would devour the entire state of Florida, the hurricane fizzled in the Caribbean and left the hysterical media red-faced.  [More] 

IN THE TOILET

Houston Mayor Orders Residents to Flush More

In an executive order that conflicts with conventional wisdom and modern environmental ethics, Houston Mayor orders residents to flush their toilets more to help clear out floodwaters.  [More]

 

 

Mitt  Romney  Promises  Latinos  Car  Pool  Lane  Preference  To  Shore  Up  Vote

By MINDY PEARLESTEIN
Published September 23, 2012

On Saturday Mitt Romney spoke before the U.S. Hispanic Chamber in Commerce in San Bernardino, California and pledged to support legislation giving Latinos special privileges to use the carpool lane.

The plan reflects the desperation on the part of Mitt Romney’s campaign to shore up its standing with Latinos, the nation's fastest-growing voting bloc.  Polls show President Obama leads Mitt Romney by a large margin – by 66% to 26% – with Latino voters who could make the difference in November in at least half of the must-win battleground states.

Under Romney’s plan, Latino undocumented workers who have resided in the U.S. for at least one year and engage in the domestic services, construction or lawn care trades may apply for a special carpool lane permit.  The permit would be good for one year but renewable thereafter.

“The undocumented worker in the U.S. is the hardest worker in the world,” said Romney in a speech given primarily in Spanish.  “They must haul equipment sometimes over 100 miles to a job site and they need efficient roadways.” 

Although the plan received immediate criticism from conservative circles in the GOP, Romney staffers say the plan is justified because undocumented workers tend to use freeways for commercial and not personal use so it would boost the economy.  “Undocumented workers deserve [carpool lane access] because they – unlike regular Americans – use the freeways for work and not joyriding or playing loud thumping music,” said the campaign through a statement on its website.

“The Taco Bell certificates just show their stereotyping of Latinos.”

Romney critics still say the campaign is tone deaf with respect to Latinos.  Political consultant Jorge Sanchez-Vives pointed out the campaign's distribution of Taco Bell gordita gift certificates after the USHCC event. “The Taco Bell certificates just show their stereotyping of Latinos,” said Vives.  “We'll take the free food any day, but we prefer homemade tortillas.”