What is the blog about? Simply put, this blog is about Democratic Presidential politics (more can be found in the “About” section”) and its respective campaigns in Nevada, generally, but with content and commentary aimed at the Latino community, specifically.
Why now, and why Latinos? Aside from the fact that Nevada is one of four early primaries that will set the tone (if not almost entirely determine) for the primaries to follow, and that Nevada has one of the largest Latino voting populations in the country*, or that it’s just obviously important, the only answer I can think to give is this: because if not now, then when; and if not us, then who?
[* Note: According to the Hispanic Electorate in 2004, by Pew Hispanic Center- Nevada Latinos account for 13% of the eligible voters but their numbers are growing very fast. Since the last presidential election, the number of eligible Latinos in Nevada has increased by about 50%, and Latinos account for about half of all the increase in the Nevada electorate. About two-thirds of the Latino eligible voters in Nevada are native born.]
Disclaimer(s): Ok, so I’m going to be really honest here: this is my first attempt at blogging. That’s not to say that this is exactly my first rodeo. I mean, I’ve been involved in campaigns and Democratic and Latino politics for a couple of cycles now. But while I’ve always appreciated the contribution that bloggers and the “netroots” community have made on behalf of the Party and the process overall, this is the first time I’ve ever actually participated as a full-fledged member (with all the rights, responsibilities and privileges afforded thereto). Additionally, for the sake of honesty, I should also let you know up front that I’ve already picked my candidate in this primary race: Barack Obama (…and more on that in upcoming posts). Lastly, I do not, under any circumstances, consider myself an authority on the “Latino experience”, as I know as well as anyone that ours is not a monolithic community. However, as heterogeneous as our community is (and in the spirit of “there is more that unites us than that which divides us”), I write with an understanding that there are some experiences so unique to the Latino community, that to deny that commonality would be to deny who we are at the most fundamental level. And it is with that shared experience through which everything in this blog is filtered.
Conclusion: All disclaimers aside, this blog is meant to provide Latinos- engaged at all levels of the political process- with additional information, news, and the occasional commentary about Presidential campaigns and politics in Nevada in 2008.
