I
understand why Tom Tancredo quickly declined to participate in a
Univision-sponsored Spanish-language presidential debate. Just as readily, I
understand why Bill Richardson jumped at the opportunity. All that makes sense.
Hillary Clinton's rejection of Univision's invitation is a little harder to follow. At
least, that is, from a purely Hispanic media perspective.
Univision
is the Spanish-language media behemoth. No one else comes close. It is the
dominant Spanish-language broadcast network with more than two-thirds of all
viewers. It owns the largest Spanish-language cable network, which has more
viewers than all the other Spanish-language cable networks combined. On many
nights, Univision is the fourth-highest rated network among all networks (English-language and Spanish-language) during primetime. Univision
owns the dominant Spanish-language radio network with incredibly popular
stations throughout the U.S. In LA, for instance Univision's radio stations are
ranked first and second, according to Arbitron, among all stations regardless
of language. Univision also operates one of the two largest Spanish-language
Web sites. Univision's reach and influence among Latinos is comparable to the
combined reach and influence among all Americans of Clear Channel, CNN, Fox News
Channel and MSNBC. That's not an exaggeration. It might even be an understatement.
There is academic
research that strongly suggests a relationship between Spanish-language news
coverage and increased voter turnout (this is much more the case for local news
and local candidates than for network news and presidential elections, according
to the study) Univision is engaged in an extensive voter-registration drive. This
campaign has sparked the concern of conservatives given the close ties between Univision
investor Haim Saban and Hillary Clinton.
If nothing
else, Hillary Clinton's decision to bail on this debate splashes cold
water on the theory that Haim Saban will use the Spanish-language network to
the advantage of the Senator from New York. (Admittedly, Hillary's decision
doesn't end the polite difference of opinion and respectful exchange on this
matter between myself and American Thinker. There is still a long way to go
before the elections and much can change before then.)
I can understand why a candidate like Tancredo would reject Univision's invitation on philosophical grounds. But, again from a purely Hispanic media perspective, I don't understand how any Democratic or most Republican candidates would pass up a chance to participate in a Univision-sponsored debate. It just seems like an easy opportunity to reach an awful lot of voters, many of whom will be entering the poll booth for the first time.
Update: See how Presidential Candidates Flunk Spanish
Presidential candidates are invited to join MyGrito.com -- a bilingual social networking with a Latino twist. We just launched our political page, Tu Grito 2008 (http://www.mygrito.com/candidatos). This page allows both Presidential candidates and Latino/Hispanic voters to come together and communicate directly by members leaving comments or questions for candidates and candidates having the option to respond.
The Latino/Hispanic vote is becoming more and more important with each coming election -- it is time we are addressed directly.
En hora buena, MyGrito es tu grito. www.mygrito.com
Posted by: MyGrito | June 10, 2007 at 11:23 AM