Dean to Air Spanish Language Ads
Continuing the trend of groundbreaking moves within the Democratic primary, Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is launching a spanish-language ad campaign to attract more support from the latino community in America - an extremely important consituency in the coming election. Two things are important about this outreach effort. First, we all need to do our best to make this the most inclusive, diverse campaign in America in 2004. That means all of us need to reach out. Second, the ad features Dean himself doing all the talking (he learned spanish working one summer working alongside Cuban co-workers). It's important that the message is coming from Dean himself.
One thing I've been struck by is Gov. Dean's willingness to talk openly about controversial issues in this campaign - including civil unions and race. The point he's beginning to make, quite persuasively, is that the Bush Administration is "dividing and conquering" this country based on fear (both of outsiders, and of each other). The xenophobic stance of the Bush Administration makes many afraid of people of other nations, and translates into subtle efforts to divide us as a nation along religious, ethnic, racial, and class lines. By doing so, they continue to ensure that a very small minority of extremely wealthy people control political debate in this country.
I'm not saying that Dean can cure ALL of the nation's ills, or bind its racial wounds, but I am saying that by working together we build understanding and a shared future. I think Dean understands that. Perhaps I make too much of this ad campaign - but I believe reaching out counts for something. You might call it leading by example.
An excerpt from the AP story by Will Lester:
"The most important values in the Hispanic community are family, children, education and work," Dean says in the Spanish-language ad. "As governor, I created thousands of new jobs, we provided health insurance for all children and youth and a first-class education system."
"The values of the Hispanic community are the values of Howard Dean."
Dean learned Spanish while working on a ranch in Florida with Cuban exiles during a break in high school, aides say.
Earlier this month, the Dean campaign launched radio ads in South Carolina aimed at attracting black voters, who could make up almost half the electorate in that state's presidential primary, set for Feb. 3. New Mexico holds its presidential caucuses Feb. 3. "
One thing I've been struck by is Gov. Dean's willingness to talk openly about controversial issues in this campaign - including civil unions and race. The point he's beginning to make, quite persuasively, is that the Bush Administration is "dividing and conquering" this country based on fear (both of outsiders, and of each other). The xenophobic stance of the Bush Administration makes many afraid of people of other nations, and translates into subtle efforts to divide us as a nation along religious, ethnic, racial, and class lines. By doing so, they continue to ensure that a very small minority of extremely wealthy people control political debate in this country.
I'm not saying that Dean can cure ALL of the nation's ills, or bind its racial wounds, but I am saying that by working together we build understanding and a shared future. I think Dean understands that. Perhaps I make too much of this ad campaign - but I believe reaching out counts for something. You might call it leading by example.
An excerpt from the AP story by Will Lester:
"The most important values in the Hispanic community are family, children, education and work," Dean says in the Spanish-language ad. "As governor, I created thousands of new jobs, we provided health insurance for all children and youth and a first-class education system."
"The values of the Hispanic community are the values of Howard Dean."
Dean learned Spanish while working on a ranch in Florida with Cuban exiles during a break in high school, aides say.
Earlier this month, the Dean campaign launched radio ads in South Carolina aimed at attracting black voters, who could make up almost half the electorate in that state's presidential primary, set for Feb. 3. New Mexico holds its presidential caucuses Feb. 3. "
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