Vilsack's English-only Problem



The Carpetbagger Report: Commentary, Analysis, and Tirades on Politics in America



Let's
stipulate from the outset that the perfect running mate for John Kerry
doesn't exist. All of the rumored possibilities on the short list have
strengths and some weaknesses; the trick is finding the one with the
fewest and least damaging flaws.



Iowa
Gov. Tom Vilsack (D), who appears to be one of the leading candidates
for the job and the only sitting governor on the short list, had his
first bit of bad news today. The AP is reporting that he signed an English-only bill into law in Iowa, which in turn could diminish the ticket's appeal in the Latino community.



Gov. Tom
Vilsack, a potential vice presidential candidate, signed a measure two
years ago declaring English the state's official language. That could
hurt his chances of joining the Democratic ticket.

Iowa's
English-only measure and dozens like it nationwide draw virtually
unanimous and vehement opposition from Hispanics, an important
Democratic constituency, who view them as thinly veiled racism.
Hispanics, the nation's largest and fastest-growing minority group, are
being eagerly courted by Democrat John Kerry and President Bush.



How
big a problem is this? From where I sit, it could be quite significant.
Every potential running mate is going to have a knock against him (or
her), but angering Hispanic voters is a major obstacle.



Hispanics
are one of the key, if not the key, demographic constituency this year,
particularly in southwestern states such as Arizona, New Mexico, and
Nevada. Kerry enjoys their support in most polls, but the Bush campaign
is committed to making inroads.



The real problem for Vilsack, in my opinion, is how poorly his position contrasts with Bush's.



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