Conservative Latinos Re-Launch “Tequila Party” As Latino Voter Outreach

Do you remember the so-called Tequila Party? It was a conservative movement that rumbled in Nevada, claiming to be a conservative Latino alternative to the often anti-Latino Republican party? The idea is that, since neither Democrats (the supposed pro-Latino party) nor Republicans have done anything about immigration reform or other issues important to Latinos, to create a third party.

Well, that whole thing fizzled out as some sort of joke, but Somos Republicans founder Dee Dee García Blase has decided to seize the moment (and the movement) to further her group’s ambitions. In a post on the group’s website, Blase announced that the Tequila Party will work as a Latino get out the vote campaign leading up the 2012 election and:

Do organizations with Democratic leaning leaders dare anger the Democratic Party?  Probably not, but since we already have a record of angering several Republicans for painting all immigrants with a negative broad brush – we may as well use the national network we have and get to work on a separate project.  Using our national framework, we will work on a non-partisan project as we make an official announcement of the Tequila Party Tour on the eve of the one year SB 1070 anniversary.

No I am not divorcing the Republican Party, however, I have to do something independent of the Party and focus on what is truly important – a massive Latino Get Out the Vote in preparation of the 2012 elections.  That’s what the Tequila Party is going to be about – motivating Latinos to participate in the early ballot system and to vote in the primary elections as well as the general elections.  All are welcome regardless of Party affiliation.

Move over Tea Party people, the Tequila Party Movement is here.  This time you won’t see a bunch of “angry at Obama” people in a rally.  Nay, this time you will see fiestas, celebration of cultura and a massive Latino Get Out the Vote Drive that will kick off in Arizona this year.

I say “órale,” because I think getting out the vote is one of the most important things we can do to ensure the future prosperity of our country. If we, as Latinos or non-Latinos, want the United States to be a strong player in the future, we have to ensure the prosperity of Latinos, that’s the end of it. We make up such a large percentage of the country now that, if we’re disenfranchised, the country as a whole will suffer.

So think about what you can do to help, whether it be through the Tequila Party or by contacting a voting organization or your local county clerk, think about who you can register to vote and how you can start to get the vote out in 2012 now.

Follow Sara Inés Calderón on Twitter @SaraChicaD