LatinaLista — If there is one aspect of Latino culture that is universal among all Latinos, regardless of where our abuelos were born, it’s la musica.
So it makes sense that those presidential candidates who are really trying to reach out to the Latino electorate would use music as one powerful vehicle.
As of now, there are only two candidates bending over backwards to include Latinos in this election.
Yes, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Mitt Romney, before he announced today that he was suspending his campaign , was the only Republican that was making an orchestrated (pun intended) effort to reach out to Latinos, in his own way. Mostly with Spanish-language ads.
But Obama and Clinton are embracing the full Latino — and that means creating campaign music that resonates with the Latino electorate.
However, there is definitely a difference in the choice of music for both campaigns — which illustrates that each is missing one part of the Latino electorate.
Both Obama and Clinton have a specific music video/song meant to get Latinos dancin to the polls.
Yet, it’s obvious from the music that different age groups are being targeted.
Judge for yourself:
Latinas for Hillary — Oye Hillary
Latinos for Obama
Though both of these songs are in Spanish, Hillary’s camp has also released an English version as well.
To be honest, I don’t know if the song for Obama has actually been sanctioned by his campaign but it is an interesting difference to see: In Obama’s video, it is populated by young people. The final frame in Clinton’s video has her embracing a white, white-haired woman.
It goes without saying that both videos exemplify with whom each campaign is resonating.
It’s neither bad nor good — just incomplete and shows that each camp needs to do a better job of reaching out to their missing links.
Comment(19)
laura
Interesting observation !
Question to all: your recommendations of a music list for ads/events of your favorite candidate ?
Frank
How about the “Star Spangled Banner”? That would be inclusive of ALL Americans.
Since only citizens can vote and one has to be able to speak English to become a citizen, why the need for ads in any other language than English?
cindylu
At a rally at LA Trade Tech College last week, the Obama campaigned played Latino pop songs by Shakira, Maná, Juanes and Ricky Martin. I joked to a friend that the music was strategically chosen to show that Obama can relate to Latino youth, but that it was pretty outdated. I mean, if he really wants to go for Chicano and Latino youth in LA, he should’ve been playing Morrissey.
The Oye song for the HRC campaign is cool. At least it’s not Celine Dion. Ew.
EYES OF TEXAS
Pander, pander, pander,pander and all for a vote for wishful promises, the dream of change and whatever it takes to lead the nation in the wrong direction. Don’t get me wrong, I hope he becomes the candidate to run against McCain. Old man will have this country to lead for the next four years and I can bet my white ass on that.
adriana
You beat me to it. I was going to blog about this since I was sent the “Oye Hillary” song yesterday. I don’t care for the Hillary song. It reminds me too much of a commercial.
The Obama song is a more catchy with the Reggaeton beats. And I don’t even care for reggaeton. It seems to be more timely since reggaeton is really popular right now.
While on the subject, have you hear Hillary try to speak Spanish? She really botched the “Si se puede” with “Si se pueda.” I and a few other bloggers think that after 35 years of working in the trenches, she should know this.
Texano78704
“one has to be able to speak English to become a citizen, why the need for ads in any other language than English?”
Once again the hate crowd talks crap. A lot of speech impaired people would disagree with you for starters.
One becomes a citizen, in the most conventional way, by being born here in the US. No ability to speak any language is necessary. My father’s family has been in south Texas long before it was part of the US. I know many of them and plenty of other people in the Rio Grande valley who never spoke a word of English before entering grade school, though I’m sure bigots would readily disavow their citizenship.
“Old man [Juan McCain] will have this country to lead for the next four years and I can bet my white ass on that.”
I’d be more than happy to hold you to that one.
laura
What do you think about the fact that sexist remarks about Hillary and her daughter, made by MSM talk hosts (remarks that were as abominably stupid and disgusting as you can get), are now supposed to inflame us to vote for Hillary ?
I heard Robin Morgan, an old feminist stalwart, say this on the radio today. That we have to support the woman against the sexists, so we should vote for her.
Personally, I agree with standing up to sexists any day. But I want to vote for someone who did not support the Iraq war.
Would I have to vote for Condoleezza Rice because she is the victim both of sexism and of racism ?
Frank
Texano, I ask a simple question and you have to start with the name calling right away? It was a valid question. You said some that are born here never spoke a lick of English before entering grade school. So? That still means that by the time they were old enough to vote, they were able to speak it by attending our schools. There was nothing bigoted about my question.
Amanda
Frank, you’re wrong. If a person is a resident of the U.S. for 10 (or is it 15?) years and is over the age of 60, they can take the citizenship exam in their own language. Plus, even the English in the citizenship test is BASIC English, and there are large numbers of citizens who may speak English but still feel most comfortable in their native language. Look at old photos of voter registration campaigns — You’ll see signs in Hebrew, Italian, etc. It’s not a new phenomenon.
Frank
Amanda, it shouldn’t be about accomadating those who feel more comfortable in one’s native tongue. Otherwise we should be reaching citizens who speak other languages in their native tongue too. What makes Spanish speakers so special?
Anyone who has been in this country for 10 plus years should have a good enough command of the English langauge to be able to listen to campaign ads or anything else in English and understand them. This isn’t about comfort but assimilation.
Sakina
What made Spanish speakers so special is that they’re currently the biggest “minority” in the U.S. and often the majority, as well as that over here in Cali, the United States stole their land from Gen. Vallejo rather unfairly. Most CA’s feel pretty bad about this, by the way.
Texas, that’s a whole ‘nother world.
One of my favorite states, however. Some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. But too many deporation facilities and raids in the border lands where HRC is setting to get folks, desperate and exploitable folks, to rally round her till she leads them to John McCain, just endorsed by Jeb Bush’s brother.
Vote Obama. Especially for Texas Latinos. To vote otherwise is to vote against yourself.
I’ve listened to 1000’s of speeches and read as many articles now on these two candidates. Since I am a Lit student, maybe I’ll write a book about this debacle when all’s done.
However, she has made bigoted remarks about Latinos, Asian Indians and as of today African-Americans. While I recognize that she’s from an older generation, and must be respected as such, she also cannot say those sorts of things about people whom she’s asking for votes from… including you.
But don’t worry, it’s not just Latinos she seems to be confused about, it’s also her electability. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, so the proverb goes. That would be Hillary. NO ONE IN AMERICA LIKES HER. She has 17,000 hate sites online devoted to her. She is hated by the left and the right both. She is deeply disliked by progressives. She can sell you her pitches, but don’t believe it. Her campaign IS running out of money, she HAS been lying recently and badly, about her leading (the new york times and cnn both discuss this)… when she trails in all votes at this time EXCEPT non-democratic superdelegates, the first of who today, a white woman, switched over to Obama and said he was electable.
8 major polls now state the same thing: that out of John McCain, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, Barack is the MOST electable (and has the most progressive comprehensive immigration reform policy and pro-naturalization policy, as a once-immigrant himself in indonesia). Clinton comes in last for electability.
I’m sorry in advance for so many Latinos rude awakening. A brighter day with Barack, strengthening Mexican Economy and pressing for naturalization for those already here, even undocumented. Drivers licenses. Why won’t the beloved Mrs. Clinton offer the same thing to her most loyal constituency?
I work with a committee for immigrant rights, mainly Latino, and we can’t figure this out at all, sorry.
Vote smart.
Don’t trust her. She’s heavily unpopular in America and will not be your path to a better future. The legislature about health care she intends to pass cannot in a two-party system at odds with each other because many there personally can’t work with her. Obama is neutral, will be even more kind to you, and is a much nicer, more sincere human being. He wants no raids, no I.C.E., no deportations except for violent crimes.
And maybe more coming when he has more power to speak his mind. I know he feels for Latinos. Clinton sees Latinos as “our maids.” White privilege will not fix the Lation problem. Sorry to say it. Not when someone is so attached to it.
Don’t forget, she’s a politician. She wants your votes because you’re all she has, she’s losing and has been except in a few states to Barack.
If that makes you feel sympathetic, don’t. She looks at you as servants, not able women and men who may someday be presidential material. She can’t transcend that for some reason. She’s known to make off-color statements, about Latinos, blacks, Jews, leftist or progressive feminists, and asian indians. Disturbs me.
Look on Obamas site before you vote, seriously.
Frank
Oh, here we go with the revisionist history again. We didn’t steal any land from Mexico we fought a war, signed a treaty and then paid them money for certain lands and forgave them of many debts. Spanish isn’t an indigenous language to Mexico anyway. It is the language of Spain.
I doesn’t matter if Hispanics are the minority majority in this country. English is our language and if we are going to cater to one minority group in their native language then we should cater to them all to be fair.
But in the case of voting, most immigrants have to be able to understand Engish to gain citizenship in this country. All this is about is pander, pander, pander and that includes the Democrat and Republican candidates of all genders/ethicities.
Frank
This isn’t about “immigrant” rights. The issue is illegal aliens and their rights aren’t the same as an “immigrants” rights, nor should they be.
Hillary was wise to back off the driver’s licenses for illegal aliens mantra. Obama will see the light too. It may not be until or after he does get elected but mark my word, he will change his tune. Hillary and Obama are just pandering for votes right now but once one of them is elected, they will not commit political suicide by enraging the majority of Americans.
EYES OF TEXAS
The majority of Americans had never even heard of Obama a year and a half ago. As the first ethnic minority to hold the office as President, which is unlikely, he will not be so quick to start playing racial politics by doing anything to tarnish his image. If he chooses to do so, against his better judgement, it will be a very long time before we would ever see another ethnic minority in the White House.
You have to think in terms of White Americans being the majority and the consequences if any type of ethnic politics becomes evident. It would be the wrong thing for him to do, if he is elected, which is doubtful. McCain vs Obama would bring the Republican party together for a McCain victory.
Alessandra
No, the U.S. did not STEAL any land. First of all, back in the 1800s, the U.S. Southwest was undeveloped land, far away from Mexico City and mostly ignored by them. It was mostly populated by North American Indian tribes, Spanish ranchers, and Catholic missions. There was no vast settlement of “Mexicans.” Mexico only had possession from 1829 to 1848 after they gained their independence from Spain.
After the U.S. won the war with Mexico, the U.S. also purchased the land for $15 million, as well as forgave Mexico any and all debts. Read up on the Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo and Gadsden Purchase. There was talk of taking the whole country of Mexico, but it was decided against. In retrospect, we probably should have taken it; with all of the natural resources Mexico possesses, it would be a first world nation now. I might add that there wasn’t a high population of Mexicans in Massachusetts, New York, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or any other state or territory outside of the Southwest back then; in fact, barely any at all. Yet they are here today. They do not come for “the land,” but for the jobs, education, infrastructure, and opportunities which are not available in their own countries. Guatemala was once part of Mexico, but you don’t see Mexicans trying to use this fact to justify their entry into Guatemala. If the U.S. was an undeveloped, poor and struggling country, it is highly doubtful that they would have any interest in “the land.” So, let’s not use that as an arguing point.
But that is neither here nor there. We are now living in modern 21st century with nation-states which have internationally recognized borders. And we have every right to expect that our borders be secured and our immigration laws be enforced. Otherwise, we cease to exist as a nation.
As to Hillary, what proof is there that she has made negative remarks about any groups of people? I have not heard that. Latinos themselves have used as an argument for CIR, “who is going to clean your homes, take care of your children and elderly, mow your lawns, wash your cars?” So, now Hillary is denigrating Latinos by using their own argument? I highly doubt that Hillary cannot see Latinos in any positions of importance. After all, there are already MANY Latinos in our government and all levels as well as in business. Americans of Latino descent are an integral part of our nation.
Whom you are speaking of are illegals, not legal American citizens of Hispanic descent. The vast majority of illegals from South of the border have low levels of education because their countries do not provide for their educations as well as provide any other opportunities for them. Yes, there are some illegals who do have education, but they are NOT the majority. So, it is just logical that they are not taking the highest level jobs. After all, isn’t that another one of the CIR advocates arguments: that they are taking jobs Americans won’t do? So, again, I fail to understand how Hillary is guilty of any kind of transgression against Latinos or even illegals (who can be of any nationality). How is she to blame for only repeating what they themselves have used as an argument in favor of CIR?
Jeff
The Obama Dreamers! Stick to the real issues and get your heads out of the clouds, obviously it will take Texas & Ohio to see through this propaganda. I have a dream song, hope, etc. I want o hear about what you are going to do. I’m tired of the biased media coverage and how you the voters buy into this propaganda. If HILLARY DOESN”T GET THE NOMINATION, I WILL CROSS OVER, so that my heads are atleast not in the clouds…. Hope is not going to buy my ticket.. SO PLEASE TEXAS………VOTE HILLARY……..
EXPERIENCE HOWEVER WILL… Go Hilllary
p.s. Get off the DREAMBOAT AND CATCH THE HILLARY TRAIN!!!!!!!!!!!
Bush gave the same speech about bring hope and unity to our country. Take a good look at where Bush has brought us – his obesession in the middle east, budget deficit spending and a divided country… Haven’t learned your lessons yet?? Electing Obama based on his empty promises and hypes, I need to pray we are not going to repeat the Bush years again.
Tomas
Hillary Clinton blocked our appeal for continued Health Care Benefits. 9/11 workers need continued health care the Hillary blocked it. 5,000+ State and 3,000+ CITY workers lost the health care benefits and have appealed to Senator Clinton and she let us down. She turned her back on us.. She had the final say. We have no disablities, no medical at all because of the loopole she voted in. We went to court and the court was swayed by the lobbyist that support Haillry Clinton’s campaign. She didn’t do anything to help our State’s Child care benefits so we may have quality care while we are seeking jobs that will employ us with our health issues.
We need help and she isn’t there for us in her own STATE.
Now she wants to campaign for Universal Healthcare!! She is a liar for votes on this issue. She will say anything to get elected… She will keep doggin OBAMA on his words of copy catting a speech..
GET REAL PEOPLE. We want Change people, not who’s quoting who!! That is how low she needs to go to get votes. For goodness sake, we are not NAIVE HILLARY.
She owes the New York State and City workers their rightful Benefits, we paid for them.
HILLARY, We need healthcare NOW, you stopped it… PEOPLE DON’T SEE THIS…
Diana Martinez
Who cares about the stupid music? I don’t care WHAT their campaigns tell me- I care what their resume and plans say. I am a highly educated, middle-class Jewish Latina in Houston and am a Clinton supporter. My parents are old and can’t afford health insurance. I want better trained teachers for my children. Hillary would have an enormous amount of pressure to make good on all the campaign promises, and I do feel she’s the best candidate for the job, although McCain is ok too and has my respects. I am married to a military guy who is now a veteran so VA issues affect us as well.
Obama seems shady to me, my gut just doesn’t trust him. An inexperienced but charismatic GWBush promised change 8 years ago and look what happened, no thanks. Obama was raised a Muslim and now becomes a Christian-Afrocentrist in his 20s, HOW is he going to diplomatically deal with Muslim leaders from the Middle East? In their eyes, he’s a traitor to their race and an apostate. We don’t need that type of tension in that unstable area.
THAT is the type of change I care about, not empty promises by an empty suit with no significant experience in terms of economy, foreign policy (Obama even founded a foreign policy committe on Afghanistan but has yet to hold a SINGLE meeting bc he’s been busy running for Prez).
Latinos support Hillary bc she stands for issues that are dear to us as a culture (mostly family-related issues). I can’t afford my taxes being raised because people are starving in Africa, there are people starving all over Latin America and I don’t see Obama offering to help.
TRUTH
interesting point. but lets not forget the race division within the hispanics. The Hillary Clinton music is more ‘pop oriented’ thus more white hispanic verses Obama’s reggaeton beat which is more “urban” youthful and “Afro Latino” slash black hispanic. The truth is the latino campaign is divided between the Mexican majority “mestizo” white and Indian hispanics who tend to oppose anything asscociated with black or black people and the younger urban Latino often times black crowd including Cubans, Dominicans and Puerto Ricans who are often times mixed or full black themselves. The fact that the Mexicans are the largest group of Latinos in this country explains why Obama tends to do poorly amongst hispanics. Saying hispanics wont vote for Obama is slightly exaggerated since hispanics are a very diverse group and are not monolithic. Saying Mexicans wont vote for Obama however isn’t too far off targe.
Comments are closed.