Bush’s nephew helps woo Hispanics

Kirsten Searer

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004 | 10:55 a.m.

President George W. Bush is the presidential candidate who will nurture the American dream and protect the nation's families, a group of Hispanic Republicans said this morning at a rally of Bush supporters in Las Vegas.

About 100 people turned out for the event at Inka Si Senor restaurant on Maryland Parkway, which featured presidential nephew George P. Bush and White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales. They are traveling this week to Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado as part of the Republican Party's "Nos Conocemos (We Know Each Other) Tour."

Gonzales, who is widely regarded as a potential nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court if Bush has an opportunity to make an appointment, told the crowd that Bush understands the United States is the land of opportunity for many immigrants. Gonzales is the son of migrant workers and the grandson of Mexican immigrants.

"If I had to choose just one person to be a role model for two young sons, I would choose a man of faith, a man of strong values and a man who respects the dignity of each person," Gonzales said.

President Bush embodies those characteristics, Gonzales said.

In an interview before the rally, George P. Bush said he has been traveling in Mexico to appeal to the half-million Americans living in that country who are eligible to vote in the United States.

Bush said his uncle's campaign in 2000 placed more emphasis on domestic issues that traditionally appeal to Hispanic voters. But with more than 100,000 Hispanics serving in the armed forces, the president recognizes that Hispanics are also concerned about national security and the threat of terrorism.

"It's become a reality for all Americans regardless of ethnicity," the younger Bush said.

The 28-year-old Bush has also been traveling to college campuses and said he hopes the Bush-Cheney campaign Internet site has captured the attention of younger voters. More younger Americans are signing on for public service, Bush said, but don't always become involved in the voting process. He pointed to a higher number of applications to the FBI and the CIA.

Bush, an attorney, campaigned heavily for his uncle in the 2000 election but has been less visible this year as he completed a judicial clerkship and was recently married.

He said he hopes to see his uncle give the same kind of performance in Wednesday's debate as he did in Friday's town hall, when he "took the gloves off" to attack Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's record in the Senate.

"That's going to be the difference in this debate," Bush said.

Bush said his uncle was tired from visiting victims of the Florida hurricanes before the first debate. Many observers agreed that Kerry had been the stronger of the two candidates in the first televised face-off.

Friday's debate was a different story, Bush said.

"The town hall format is definitely more to his (President Bush) liking," Bush said. "It allows him to talk directly to voters rather than a moderator from PBS."

Bush brushed off widely reported speculation that the president was wearing some sort of listening device during the first two debates. Photos showing the president from behind appeared to reveal an unexplained bulge under his suit jacket between his shoulder blades.

Bush, who called the rumors "absolutely ridiculous," said the popularity of Michael Moore has sparked conspiracy theories.

"I was there at the first debate and I never saw any kind of device," Bush said.

Bush and Gonzales each said the Republican Party is a better fit for Hispanics. Gonzales said the Republican Party emphasizes family values, something he said he learned growing up poor and watching his father struggle to support his family.

Gonzales said he also learned from his father that low-wage workers deserved to keep more of their money and should not be burdened additionally by high taxes.

"He worked harder than any man I've ever known and (to see him) lose a big portion of that to taxes had an effect on me," Gonzales said.

Gonzales said he would like to see a Hispanic on the Supreme Court but said President Bush's first priority will be to ensure any nominee has three characteristics: uncompromising integrity, professional excellence and an "appropriate understanding of the role of a judge in our society."

"If that person happens to be a historic pick, then all the better," Gonzales said.