서강대학교

초록/요약

Hispanics have become the largest ethnic minority in the United States since 2000, followed by African Americans. In proportion to their increasing number of population, Hispanics have been taken into consideration as a formidable voting power by both of the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, especially since the 2004 presidential election. Hispanics proved themselves that they can be a large swing vote in a neck-and-neck race in 2004. And in 2008, Hispanics turned out to be an influential swing vote even in the Democratic primaries. A great deal of loyal Hispanics, who used to support Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, turned their staunch support to Obama. It goes without saying that Hispanics turned their back on the Republican Party in the 2008 presidential election, who voted for George W. Bush with 40% of support in the 2004 presidential election. The more Hispanics would participate in the elections at all levels from national to state to local, the more chances Hispanics would meet due to their choice of representatives in favor of Hispanic concerns and interests. However, one in four Hispanics still stays in the United States with an illegal status, which threatens the growing Hispanic voting power in the U.S. political scene. Being a U.S. citizen, and then being a registered voter would be a first premise so as to enhance the Hispanic participation in the elections of the United States. With the passage of time, the status of current illegal Hispanics will change and obtain legality, but in order to be a representative of national, state and local government, Hispanics should acquire more financial stability in their livelihood with settled jobs and higher education up to college. Even though Hispanics are boasting themselves to be the largest ethnic minority in the United States, the general approval of Hispanics as future President of the United States is depressing Hispanics, even being defeated by future white woman President in a survey conducted among the white population of the United States. However, thinking upon the long history of Hispanics on American soil and cultural impact on the United States, Hispanics positions will be more enhanced socially, economically, and especially politically as an enlarging and influential voting power in the United States.