Thursday, December 12, 2024

Senate Hopeful Defends Ad and Confuses Latinos and Asians

Republican Senatorial candidate Sharron Angle, in addressing a group of Latino high school students in Nevada, defended an ad aired recently by her campaign by saying she was “unsure” if the images of dark-skinned individuals sneaking through a chain link fence actually depicted Hispanics.

The TV spot, which is no longer available on You Tube, was decried by the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) as soon as it aired.  NALEO characterized the ad as drawing “upon racist attitudes and stereotypes for campaign expediency.”

The ad attacks Angle’s opponent, Sen. Harry Reid, for his support of the Dream Act and accuses him of being “soft” on illegal immigration.  The candidate argued in her remarks that, “what we want is a secure and sovereign nation.”

But, Angle did not stop there.  According to a Las Vegas political columnist today, Angle told the members of the Hispanic Student Union, “I don’t know that all of you are Latino. Some of you look a little more Asian to me.”

She also commented that she had been mistakenly identified as Asian once.

Angle, who is supported strongly by the Tea Party, is in a tight race with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for his seat.

La Plaza

Politico

Las Vegas Sun