Dem spokesman: You can’t be anti-amnesty and Hispanic
This, according to former governor and presidential candidate Bill Richardson (D-New Mexico). Apparently the two are mutually exclusive and any conservative Hispanic who opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants shouldn't be considered a Hispanic.
Richardson explained to ABC News (emphasis mine):
"I'm not a fan. I know [Ted Cruz is] sort of the Republican latest flavor. He's articulate. He seems to be charismatic, but I don't like his politics. I think he introduces a measure of incivility in the political process. Insulting people is not the way to go. But I guess he's a force in the Republican political system, but I'm not a fan." ...
He's anti-immigration. Almost every Hispanic in the country wants to see immigration reform. No, I don't think he should be defined as a Hispanic. He's a politician from Texas. A conservative state. And I respect Texas' choice. But what I don't like is... when you try to get things done, it's okay to be strong and state your views, your ideology. But I've seen him demean the office, be rude to other senators, not be part of, I think, the civility that is really needed in Washington."
Of course to Richardson (and others), civility in Washington is often defined as going with the flow and/or liberals' agenda, but I digress...
How exactly would Richardson define "Hispanic"? The implication of his comments seems pretty clear: Hispanics ought to be defined more by their political views on immigration reform than by their cultural traditions.
