Tancredo commended for boycotting Spanish language GOP debate

The debate was held on the University of Miami campus on Sunday and was broadcast on the Spanish language network Univision. Candidates' responses, spoken in English, were simultaneously translated into Spanish. Congressman Tancredo (R-Colorado) was the only GOP candidate who turned down an invitation to attend the debate, saying his fellow candidates were "encouraging violation of the law" by taking part. (See related article)

Tancredo -- who has made a tough stand on illegal immigration the centerpiece of his campaign -- boycotted the event, saying that the law requires individuals who wish to become a naturalized citizen to have a knowledge and understanding of English, including the ability to read, write, and speak the language.

Jim Boulet, executive director of English First, argues the Colorado congressman was "absolutely correct" in his decision, noting that about 40 percent of Hispanic voters speak English and get their news in English. "And they find this kind of thing demeaning," says Boulet. "So I really don't understand why the Republican candidates are bowing to political correctness on the language front."

Boulte agrees with Tancredo's contention that there is no reason to have a debate in any language other than English. He says even the candidates themselves cannot be sure their debate responses were properly translated.

"There are Cuban Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Puerto Rican Spanish, and Castilian Spanish [speakers]-- and they're all very different," he points out. "So even if you're being translated accurately into Castilian, the Puerto Rican voter might hear something entirely different that you didn't intend."

Boulet says U.S. voters have enough trouble understanding what the candidates are saying in English, so he questions the push to add another language.

According to a recent Pew Hispanic Center report, 23 percent of registered Hispanic voters align with the GOP -- five percentage points lower than in July 2006. That same report says 57 percent of the Hispanic voting bloc call themselves Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party.