Tonight, the Republican candidates for president (except, thankfully, for Tancredo) will participate in a debate on the Spanish language Univision network:
Foro republicano por Univision
Luego del histórico foro presidencial demócrata realizado por Univision el pasado 9 de septiembre, el turno hoy es para los aspirantes presidenciales republicanos, quienes este domingo 9 de diciembre debatirán sobre temas de particular interés para la comunidad hispana en Estados Unidos.
El evento se realizará en la Universidad de Miami -coorganizadora del foro- y será televisado (a las 7 pm / 6 pm centro) por la cadena Univision. ...
We were supportive of the Republican candidates' decision to skip attending the convention of the National Council of La Raza in July, because that is a liberal and explicitly race-based organization. However, Univision is not. It is one of the largest television networks in the United States, watched by millions of Americans. So this provides an opportunity to avoid the perception of a blanket rejection of Hispanics.
Republicans must demonstrate that we are against illegal immigration, but not against immigrants. That we are for English, but not against Spanish or Spanish speakers. (We speak both English and Español, and favor strong enforcement of our immigration laws and making English the official language of the United States, for the record). Skipping any and all forums that involve Hispanics and/or Spanish speakers will send a very damaging message to that segment of the electorate, with damaging effects for the party and the country.
Republican candidates must not go and pander to the audience, watering down the messages of border enforcement and assimilation, but they must go. Tonight, they will rightly accept the opportunity.
UPDATE: Hugh Hewitt has posted an English transcript of the debate. OR there's a pdf version here.
