Latin America

Democrats used to assume that Florida was a swing state and that Cuban emigres could be persuaded to vote Democratic. Although some emigres did vote Democratic, most of that outreach is wasted effort: those emigres are as solidly Republican as Iowa Evangelicals or Deep-South white supremacists. And in spite of Democratic outreach, Florida has changed from purple to ruby-red Republican. Democratic politicians can’t seem to win statewide Florida races and campaigning in Florida is a lost cause for Democrats and sucks up resources that can be better spent elsewhere.

In my opinion Democrats owe the Cuban emigres in Florida zilch. Catering to them is a waste of time: the only “thanks” any Democrat is likely to get from these people is money and votes for their Republican opponents. US policy would be better oriented to the interests of the US and its citizenry, and not to the clamor of those folks still trying to punish the Democratic Party for the Bay of Pigs debacle.