Hispanic Population Could Play Large Role in 2008 Presidential Election

The 2008 Presidential Election is less than a year away. Each year the news is filled with the results of different polls and studies. They quite often break down different demographics and their importance to the election. In 2008 the Hispanic demographic could play a key role. The Hispanic demographic could be a significant key to the 2008 Presidential Election based on one key fact, 35% of those surveyed indicated if the election was held today they are undecided about who to vote for. This information is according to a recent press release issued by ImpreMedia.

The survey was conducted between November 27th and December 2nd. The survey included 539 telephone interviews with Hispanic voters in the five states that have the largest Hispanic population percentages. These states are California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. The key issues for the Hispanic population that were revealed for the upcoming election according to the survey are in order: the war in Iraq, immigration, the economy, healthcare, and education.

Among those that expressed a preference for one candidate over another, the Democrats had a large lead in the survey. 42 percent of those surveyed indicated that they would vote for Hillary Clinton. The closest Republican candidate to Clinton was Rudy Giuliani who would only receive 23 percent of the votes according to this survey. Inside the parties themselves the preference for candidates was even more pronounced. Among potential Hispanic voters who are registered as Democrats, Hillary Clinton would receive 55 percent of the vote and Barack Obama would only receive 6 percent of the vote. In the Republican party, no candidate that is running other than Giuliani would receive more than five percent of the Hispanic vote among likely Hispanic voters in the 2008 Presidential Election.

Throughout the country, there are over 46 million Hispanic Americans. This makes up 15% of the total U.S. population. These percentages show that the 35% of undecided Hispanic Americans planning on voting in 2008 accounts for about 6 percent of the total U.S. population, and could be significant swing votes in the 2008 Presidential Election.

"As the U.S. Hispanic population continues to grow, so do citizenship rates and voter registration. As a result the struggle to persuade Hispanics to vote continues. The opportunity for either party is the one third of the Hispanic vote that is still undecided. Despite the widely varied origins, experiences and opinions, this group remains a rich source of votes for the candidates and parties that address the issues important to them and communicate in ways that are culturally relevant," commented Everett Hernandez, who is President of Avanze, Inc.

SOURCES:

Prnewswire.com. "Hispanics Pinpoint Iraq, Immigration, Economy, Healthcare and Education as Key Issues Important to Them in the 2008 Election.".
URL:http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=PRNI2&STORY=/www/story/12-13-2007/0004722655&EDATE=