Matthew Yglesias says the Republicans are the ones who can get Hispanics to go further into the blue for Democrats as some of the more, err, colorful voices in the party bang the “She’s a racist Latina” drum.
Judge Sonia SotomayorWhile many Republicans, especially those with large voting blocs of Latinos in their districts and states have been diplomatic about President Obama’s appointment of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court (see McCain, John), some are braying as loud as possible that she should already remove her name from the running. You know? Because she’s mean, bad with money, dumb, an Affirmative Action hire, unqualified and a racist. (Or a “reverse racist,” whatever that means.) These seem to be the talking points that have been so loud and omnipresent on TV and radio that I’ve been trying to avoid them at all costs.
I’ve avoided them largely because it’s annoying and makes it seem like no one is capable of having a mature, rational debate about this appointment, but for some this circus is just more proof that the Republican Party is tone deaf when it comes to minorities and minority issues.
More after the jump.
Take The Atlantic’s Matthew Yglesias and his most recent post on Think Progress about what he thinks the lasting effect of Sotomayor’s appointment will be:
(W)hat you could see having some impact is less Obama’s decision to appoint Sotomayor than reaction to the conservative reaction to Sotomayor. I think if you look at election results over time, it’s clear that a large number of non-white or non-Anglo Americans seem to have the sense that the Republican Party and the conservative movement don’t have their best interests at heart. And when people see conservatives not just saying “well, I’m a conservative and Sotomayor isn’t, so I’m not happy about the choice” but engaging in bizarre tirades against the “unnatural” pronunciation of her name and the evils of Puerto Rican cuisine while suggesting that the kind of resume that was suitable for Samuel Alito doesn’t cut the mustard for Sonia Sotomayor, well then I think that tends to reenforce the sense that conservatives are very interested in white people’s problems and not so interested in anyone else.
That’s damaging. But that’s not really about Obama picking Sotomayor, it’s about the crazies on the right coming out to play.
Yes. Let’s all shit on the first Puerto Rican appointee to the Supreme Court before the hearings even start. I’m sure that will go over just dandy. I’m sure the millions of Puerto Ricans who live on the mainland and in Puerto Rico who are ALL U.S. CITIZENS and the many other Latin American citizens will enjoy hearing a bunch “yer all unqualified illegals using up my tax money to have your illegal spawn and collect welfare checks and keep the white man down!” Yes. They like it when you call them all “Messy-cans” whether they’re from Messy-Co or not. They won’t hold a grudge against you at all. They love being talked about like they’re not standing RIGHT THERE IN THE ROOM!
The woman was appointed and approved by the U.S. Senate twice, is a product of the meritocracy and, to the chargin of many Liberals, isn’t even Liberal enough! But hey, shitting on Latinos worked marvelously during the immigration fight for the Republican Party. It didn’t hurt them in the 2006 or 2008 elections at all. Arguing about how un-American it is to pronounce Sotomayor’s last name the way it’s supposed to be pronounced will get Pedro and the gang to like you!
Assimilate or die, Spanish-surnamed American citizens! Assimilate or Uncle Rush will EAT YOU!
Live Your Best Life. 
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