Latino Voters, the New Political Giants

Hispanic Americans, who now make up 10 percent of the electorate, flexed their political muscle this year, clinching key victories for Obama and laying their path to greater influence in Washington.

Published

6 months ago

Categories

US, Science

Topics

US Politics, United States, Hispanic Americans

People

Barack Obama, John Boehner, Mitt Romney, Mitch McConnell

Places

United States of America

Transcript

SCRIPT: The sleeping giant is finally awake. As 16 percent of the population, Hispanic Americans are now the largest and fastest-growing minority in the US -- and a crucial voting bloc in this year's election. SOUNDBITE 1 Frank Sharry (man), Executive Director, America's Voice (English, 12 sec): "Latinos helped decide this election. They helped win the presidency for Obama. The turnout was higher than ever -- it's now 10 percent of the voting population. It was a 26-percent increase over just four years ago, and they voted at record levels for Obama." It's a political game-changer that was a long time coming -- and that Republicans should have been prepared for. It wasn't enough for Mitt Romney to just focus on the economy -- Latino voters were looking for pledges on immigration law and other issues the Obama camp understood. SOUNDBITE 2 VOX POP (man, English, 14 sec): "I think he had a better connection -- in my opinion -- with the Latinos, especially in South Florida, than Romney did. Romney still came off as a bit distant and out of touch. The majority of my friends voted for Obama because they couldn't really associate with Romney." Almost three in four Hispanic Americans voted for Obama -- and secured key swing states for him: Colorado, Nevada, Virginia... and even Florida. For Republicans, it's been a hard pill to swallow. SOUNDBITE 3 Stephen Hess (man), US politics expert, Brookings Institution (English, 17 sec): "They lost an election that they expected to win. And, although they did relatively well -- they almost won the popular vote -- they nevertheless will have to do a great deal of rethinking about what they want to be." But for the millions of Latinos, it's the first real step to making their voices -- and their votes -- count. SOUNDBITE 4 VOX POP (woman, Spanish, 6 sec): "We are very happy because we're no longer trapped nor hidden." ["Nosotros [somos] súper felices porque ya no estamos en jaula ni escondidos."] With Latinos finally embracing their political force, Washington faces the old adage that "demography is -- in fact -- destiny." ------------- SHOTLIST: WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 6 & 7, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - VAR of Obama supporters celebrating in front of the White House WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 8, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - SOUNDBITE 1 Frank Sharry DENVER, COLORADO, NOVEMBER 6, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - VAR inside a polling station [COVERS SOT] CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, SEPTEMBER 2, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - shot of a young Latino man volunteering for the Obama campaign - CU of his Obama "Latinos for Obama" BOSTON, NOVEMBER 6, 2012, SOURCE: POOL **NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes** - VAR of Mitt Romney during his concession speech CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 7, 2012, SOURCE: US POOL **NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes** - Obama family walking on stage for victory speech WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 13, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - SOUNDBITE 2 Voxpop ALEXANDRIA, VA, NOVEMBER 6, 2012, SOURCE: POOL **NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes** - voters lined up at a polling station WASHINGTON, JULY 30, 2011, SOURCE: US POOL **NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes** - House speaker John Boehner and Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell at a presser WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 7, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - SOUNDBITE 3 Stephen Hess MCALLEN, TEXAS, JUNE 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - shot of people walking in a Latino neighborhood WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 13, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - VAR of Latinos walking around DC - SOUNDBITE 4 Voxpop CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 7, 2012, SOURCE: US POOL **NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes** - VAR of Obama family on stage for victory speech