HISPANIC-AMERICANS – AT 9:46 A.M. ET:  There's a new poll out examining the attitudes of Hispanic-Americans.  Once again we see that this fastest-growing American group is intensely patriotic and dramatically supportive of the military.  From Fox:

An exclusive Fox News Latino national poll of likely Latino voters reaffirms a very high level of patriotism and support for the military.

The poll also shows that Latinos think that they are viewed more positively now by others, accepted more than they were ten years ago, and have an optimistic outlook about the future.

“Some of these people are coming from Democracies and some are not,” says Vincent Parrillo, Professor of Sociology at William Patterson University. “Latinos came here already with the mindset that this was a better country than their homeland. They were already motivated.”

Conducted under the direction of Latin Insights, the Fox News Latino poll finds that 76% of Latinos believe the United States of America is the best country in the world.

“They came here with this belief and for them coming to this country has re-enforced their original views,” says Parillo.

And...

As for the military, nearly 7 in 10 Latinos have a favorable opinion of Americas fighting forces. Only 20% of Latinos had an unfavorable opinion.

COMMENT:  Now, what does that poll tell you?  It tells you that this is a group with deeply conservative instincts, a group that should identify with the Republican Party.

But it doesn't.  In fact, recent polls show overwhelming support for President Obama among Hispanics.  The reason, of course, is that the Republican Party works hard to antagonize the Hispanic community and does nothing to attract it. 

It is an old Republican problem.  It has cost the party plenty over the years.

In its understandable concern over illegal immigration, Republicans have gone overboard.  We are not going to deport 12 million people, and everyone knows it.  You would think the GOP would come up with some appropriate proposal to provide those who are illegally here with some legal route to make amends and move toward citizenship.  Instead, we get red meat and little more.

As I've said here before, the Republican Party works hard to lose elections.  Now it is working hard to drive away a natural constituency that will play an increasing role in American life in the decades ahead.  Real smart.

March 10,  2012