The state’s official tally shows that McCain beat Romney better than three to one in Miami-Dade.
If McCain did indeed sweep Little Havana, it’s not yet clear why. It could be that among a crowd of candidates with hardline views on
Robert Novak claims that Senator Martinez’ endorsement helped McCain against Romney, and “more lethal…was the word spread by Martinez that he considers Romney a demagogue because of his tough stand against the immigration bill co-sponsored by McCain and Martinez.” If that’s the case – and Novak offers no evidence – then Cuban Americans voted altruistically, in solidarity with Latinos who would face Romney immigration policies such as deportation of illegal immigrants that would not affect Cuban Americans.
Finally, here’s an overview of voter behavior statewide with an interesting nugget: voters who like President Bush flocked to Romney, those who disapprove went with McCain.
Update: A St. Petersburg Times analysis says McCain won due to high turnout, and disproportionately high turnout of moderate Republicans. As for Cuban Americans, “While McCain and Romney were tied among non-Hispanic Republicans, exit polls showed Romney won just 9 percent of Cuban-American Republicans, compared to 54 percent for McCain and 32 percent for Rudy Giuliani.”
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McCain won because of his life story. He has met communists up close and personal and seen their true natures -- as torturers -- not the kind you meet Phil that try to convince you they are really swell guys...
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing that out. It's interesting that McCain, with that experience with communists, was a leader in normalizing U.S. relations with Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteThe last point is the most interesting. Even though McCain has publicly aligned himself with Bush many times, he still comes across as a maverick.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the altruistic angle was at play among Cubans. Immigration is a non-issue, if there's a prevailing sentiment is against illegal immigration. I think it was the endorsements coupled with McCain having campaigned in Miami for several elections already. He comes across as familiar, honest and trustworthy -in other words, he's not just drinking the cafecito- while Romney seems a little conceited, aloof and clueless. Remember the "Patria o Muerte" gaffe?
A good point you make, Phil. McCain
ReplyDeletewas a leader in normalizing US relations with Viet-Nam, even though he was prisoner there and was tortured. That is never mentioned by Cuban-Americans. I also think the immigration position was not the main factor, although I am sure some Cubans did take that into account. All Cuban-American congress people and Senator Martinez support reform and giving illegal immigrants a chance. The rank and file Cuban Republican voters, on the other hand, do tend to be selfish, complaining only when their interests are affected. They are moslty egotistical, ignorant, easily manipulated etc. And I am Cuban, just in case. But that is my honest opinion.
yeah, McCain and Vietnam is interesting, but up against an entire career strong in defense and foreign policy that's about all it is...
ReplyDeleteI can't tell if "anonymous" is one or two or three people, but here goes.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason I brought up Vietnam is because someone pointed out that McCain knows the true nature of communism. There's no disputing that.
McCain, with that knowledge, favors full engagement with Vietnam (and led the way to establish it) and opposes it in Cuba's case.
Regarding Vietnam I think he was right.
The C-A three horseman have McCain in their pocket. If McCain wins look for 4 more years of Cuban repression and standstill between the countries.
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