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By Karoun Demirjian (contact) 
Friday, Oct. 8, 2010 | 1:50 a.m.
Sun Coverage
Nevada Democrats are accusing GOP Senate nominee Sharron Angle of fear-mongering over a new campaign ad that began airing this week, but minority advocates say it could increase voter turnout and help Harry Reid.
The Angle campaign began airing a 30-second commercial hitting Reid for offering public benefits for illegal immigrants through such bills as the DREAM Act. The ad shows stock photos of Latino youths with the words “illegal aliens” at the bottom of the screen, and asks the final question: “What does Harry Reid have against you?”
“It’s a naked appeal to white people that brown people are taking what’s yours,” said Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice, an organization that promotes a comprehensive immigration overhaul. “But I think this could turn out to be a real turning point in the campaign.”
Local advocates who have been doing voter registration drives in Latino communities in Las Vegas say they expect the commercial will make many Latino voters angry enough that they might vote for the opposition.
“This anti-immigrants sentiment does cause Latinos to turn out,” said Gus West, board chair and president of the Hispanic Institute, which has been coordinating voter registration and mobilization efforts in Nevada this election cycle. “She’s really energizing Hispanics with this, and for that…we’re grateful.”
In Nevada, Hispanics are a potentially large voting bloc, making up 26 percent of the state's population – though Hispanics made up only about 15 percent of the voters in the last election cycle, according to exit polls.
Nationally, expectations are that Hispanics won't turn out in as large a number to support Democratic candidates – or any candidates for that matter – as they have in previous elections because of frustrations that President Obama didn’t deliver on promises to address immigration reform.
A low turnout among Latino voters could hurt Reid, who needs the Democrats' base to overcome the tea party-backed Angle.
Those Hispanics who do turn out are expected to vote for Democrats over Republicans – a reason some strategists say the ad can’t hurt Angle.
“She’s already conceded the Hispanics to Harry Reid,” said Republican strategist Chuck Muth. “Maybe it’s over the top, maybe it’s not – they [Hispanics] would find something to complain about anyway.”
Among the complaints are accusations that the ad takes party politics back to an era many thought was long since past, such as in 1988, when then-GOP presidential candidate George Bush brought Democrat Michael Dukakis’s candidacy down with a racially charged ad about convicted felon Willie Horton, or when Jesse Helms of North Carolina ran ads in 1990 against his competitor – an African-American – that disparaged affirmative action.
Both candidates who aired the ads were successful.
But Latino advocates say they’re not worried that Angle might benefit similarly from using racially charged imagery – including one stock photo of Latino youths that, incidentally, had been used not long ago in an ad by Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana.
“I’m not going to say that these tactics haven’t worked in the past,” said Andres Ramirez, a senior vice president with the National Democratic Network based in North Las Vegas. “But I think they will galvanize and mobilize Hispanic voters to turn out in higher numbers – and send the message that scape-goating will not be taken lightly.”
There isn’t 100 percent accord in the Angle camp about the tactics. In a Spanish-language radio interview last week, Ellis Saldarriaga – who works as a spokeswoman for Angle but wasn’t speaking for the campaign during the interview – said she “condemned this type of propaganda” against Mexicans and immigrants, “no matter who is running them.”
But the final judgment about how the immigration issue plays in Nevada will be decided at the polls.
“Shame on Angle for running the ad. But if it works, shame on Nevada,” Sharry said. “Then, Nevada will be known as a place where naked racial appeals work.”
By 2050 latinos will be the majority in the USA. No wall or tea party can stop it. It is a mathematical certainty.
Oh, please! Anti-immigrant! Stop already with the nonsense! ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT is the correct term! We are expected to be lawful in our daily lives. Why should illegals be given a free pass? They blatantly broke our laws and must be held accountable. To them I say: Go home. Get in line. Then come back legally & we will welcome you with open arms just as our ancestors were welcomed. Well, in some cases they were welcomed. Not so much if they were Irish, Chinese or Jewish but that was then - this is now.
Karoun, I would appreciate it if you could tell me how ads against illegal immigrants are racial. Come out from behind that wall of yours and please clue me in.
"She's already conceded the Hispanics to Harry Reid," said Republican strategist Chuck Muth. "Maybe it's over the top, maybe it's not -- they [Hispanics] would find something to complain about anyway."
Should ANYONE care what CHUCK MUTH has to say???
Oh, please... I give more credence to what my DOG says.
He's just another Hate Monger.
And SOMEHOW, God only knows how, he's made a CAREER out of it!
Ah, the living hell that is Jerry Fink's life goes on and on. So much hatred, so little time.
CraZy AnGle'S Ad's are a chip off the old block...
Far out, filled with lies, hateful, and full of fear-mongering.
CrAzY AnGle is UnElecTabLe.
Thinking people, both legal and illegal, realize that the policies of Reid, Pelosi, and Obama will never make the number of jobs this country needs to commence an economic recovery.
And Harry doesn't have a damn clue about how to make one private sector job. Vegas prospered in spite of him, not because of him.
AnD iF i pUt tHesE funNy leTterS in mY pOsT iT maKeS it MoRE MeANinGfuL.
Go Sharron Go!!!
I agree with Dipstick. When people go broke, they blame it all but themselves.
1. Senator Reid's record stinks:
Can you believe how Senator Reid Voted on Illegal Immigration: doe's this sound like a Man who cares about his country?
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Reject photo ID requirements for voting. (Sep 2005)
Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
http://www.ontheissues.org/International......
"She's already conceded the Hispanics to Harry Reid," said Republican strategist Chuck Muth. "Maybe it's over the top, maybe it's not -- they [Hispanics] would find something to complain about anyway."
++++++
THEY would, Chuck? The whole Republican strategy to win elections is to make people scared or dismissive of the 'other.' Hispanics are an important voting bloc in this state and many other states. Politicians demonize the Latino community at their own peril. Republicans seem to want us to live in fear, suspicion and hatred. Nothing will tear the fabric of society apart faster than that.
Libs just don't seem to get it...it is about...
Putting into effect LEGAL immigration
The fact that our current laws are not upheld and this not only bothers republicans, but independents and democrats as well.
Reid is falling behind in the polls and its not just about jobs, its about the Az law, cap and trade and all of the other non american policies that obama is pushing...we want change but thats the wrong direction....next!
dipstick
You are inaccurate in your posting. The middle and upper classes were not complaining about illegal's working before this recession.
Historically the working class has always complained about immigrants legal and illegal. It is just no one cared about nor listened to the poor, instead they were chastised as undereducated ignorant trash (granted some are) and lazy selfish people. Whereas the middle and upper classes immorally exploited and profited off of the cheap labor of immigrants. In recent decades mostly off illegal Hispanic immigrants, bragging about paying some poor fool $20 to $40 for a hard day's work (their words not mine). the thing is those illegal immigrants did not stay in slave jobs, many moved into skilled positions. Many illegal immigrants displaced lower working class breadwinners, throwing them on public assistance or forcing them to take underpaying jobs to survive.
Now that there are few jobs, now that our economy is in a "deep recession" with no meaningful and lasting end in sight, now that the middle class in this country is all but a memory for most, now that their educations do not keep them immune from unemployment they are whining and complaining.
Now politicians and the media are taking the subject seriously (though still way too much retoric) since middle class tend to be more active in voting than the working class individual. Sadly, racist on both sides of illegal immigration detract and inflame the issues with their hatred. However, illegal is illegal, think about it how can someone without papers, not legal to work in this country pay into social security (a favorite arguement of pro-illegal immigrants) hmmm? Only one way I know of which is using someone else's social security number/card, oh wait that is a federal crime called identity theft. You can judge and complain looking down on others when you have your identity stolen and your life turned upside down by someone else's lack of ethics. Not everyone is a racist, and it is not true that no one care cared until recently perhaps you are speaking of yourself and should look in the mirror? Reality is 80-85 % of all Hispanics in the United States are from Mexico (Pew Hispanic Center) it is further estimated 10th of all Mexican born Hispanics reside in our borders. Reality is there are an estimated 11 million illegal Hispanics in the United States and if you think they all work cleaning houses, mowing lawns, and toiling in the fields guess again. Illegal immigration is an issue that effects our economy not the only issue but still a serious one and it is long overdue that it be dealt with.
Good point Sandy. As for me, I'm not scared of no republican. I just sit back, and watch them destroy themselves. LOL
Angle is anti everything that does not directly affect her. Her problem is a mental condition that she needs help for. Her husbands government health insurance which covers her also should be helpful.
@novaseline;
"Reid is falling behind in the polls and its not just about jobs, its about the Az law, cap and trade and all of the other non american policies that obama is pushing..."
HUH???
Dude, I think your looking at it UPSIDE DOWN!!!
I have read the following:
Angle, a Southern Baptist, has called herself a faith-based politician. Among her positions, she opposes abortion in all circumstances, including rape and incest and doesn't believe the Constitution requires the separation of church and state.
Angle is in a dead-heat race against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has also said the community center, which would include a mosque, should be built elsewhere. A recent poll showed Reid and Angle tied in the high-profile campaign.
Reid's campaign said Angle's comments advances its ongoing campaign to portray her as outside mainstream America.
"The fact that Sharron Angle believes American cities have been taken over by militant terrorist organizations that are ruling our citizens under Sharia law shows a terrifying lack of connection with reality and a willingness to subscribe to conspiracy theories that demonstrates she's far too extreme and dangerous to represent Nevada in the U.S. Senate," spokesman Kelly Steele said.
What I would like to know if any of this is true. I would appreciate if someone who knows more than than me can comment and set the record straight. Thanks in advance.
@Maverick18
Hispanics WILL NOT be the majority in 2050. What actually is suppose to happen is ALL minorities combined in the U.S. will outnumber whites. Whites will still be the largest population followed by Hispanics.
Or...she is simply pointing out that Harry Reid's policies are bad for Nevadans and for America. Harry Reid is a "bought and paid for" politician that 's out of touch with his constieunts. Living in the prestious Riitz Carton in D.C, he is disconnected with common people.
No Jan, all Sharron is doing is fear-mongering... I grew up not to far from Dearborn, and my family still lives there. We have a family house IN Dearborn. It's a nice area, there is a large population of Middle Easterner's, some Christian, some Muslim, but there is NOT Sharia law in place anywhere there. There area a lot of EXCELLENT Arabic restaurants though!! :)
She just thinks we're all ignorant fools who never actually travel, or speak to anyone outside this State to actually know the truth I guess...
I can't figure it out. She's like chicken little - "The Muslims are coming, the illegals are coming, the Chinese are coming" "Wait, I don't actually know, I just see brown people and they scare me!!!" See, just fear-mongering because she has nothing else to campaign on.
The Chinese ARE coming, they are funneling mony to GOP candidates, like ANGLE, via the US Chamber of Commerce!
Stand up for America, VOTE REID!!
Pretty funny, notacon, I hope others appreciate (or understand) your humor! I sure do! Crazy Sharron's ad promotes racial bias. The 26% of the Latino population in Nevada are LEGALLY HERE! THEY CAN VOTE! The idea that if you LOOK Latino, you are not here legally is troubling to me and outrageous to Latinos. I will NEVER promote or accept racial bias as Crazy Sharron does.
OK, let's say the theory of this "news article" is correct.
Reid is running ads saying that has done a lot to fight illegal immigratation.
Will that suppress Latino voter turnout?
Anybody else notice that the only people "working" in Angle's ads are White?
OK StgRock, HER ads imply all "BROWN" Latinos are illegals. She has stock "photos" of Latinos. Did you see any WHITE Canadians in her stock photos??? NO! This IS PROMOTING RACIAL bias. Latinos aren't stupid, even though Crazy Sharron and her racially biased team promotes this. UGH!! In case you are wondering, I am a VERY white Irish American.
I was not aware that illegal "WHITE Canadians" were a problem in NV ? The problem is with illegals coming from the south! It's a fact that 99.9% ARE "BROWN" skinned, so why shouldn't she use brown skinned people in her ads against illegals?
Go Sharron! You already have it WON!
No, but White former Soviet block illegals are a problem in NV and elsewhere in the U.S.
tomfrankln, you are not aware of white Canadians who are illegal? That's because they look like us and you are uninformed. I agree with you, GO Cazy Sharron, back to your hick county and take the other hicks like tomfranklin with you, PLEASE!!
Sharron Angle and David Vitter of Lousiana are using the same picture of three menacing looking Latino men in their fear mongering political ads. These right wingers assume the voter is stupid and easily fooled.
Have you realized that the people that Reid and Obama hate are racially profiled as:
1) People who own their homes.
2) People who are US citizens.
3) People who have families and pay for their children's college education.
4) People who are fiscally responsible.
If you are in those 4 categories, Obama and Reid hates you. If you are anyone else, they love you.
Goes to show the priorities of these 2 politicians.
Regardless to what you antiAmerican socialist think, There are some rotten apples in both parties, this Ad however is good, this has nothing to do with discriminating against a race, we are being overran by illegal's mainly from Mexico, having babies like rabbits, are you people crazy, anyone who votes for open borders Harry are out of their mind, very good Ad, by the Angles campaign
http://www.ontheissues.org/International...
http://www.nbra.info/
Can you believe how Senator Reid Voted on Illegal Immigration: doe's this sound like a Man who cares about his country?
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
Rated 0% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)
ONLY LEGAL LATINOS CAN VOTE! So listen up, if you are a convicted felon, YOU CAN'T!!! Hah, Hah, Hah
America IS overrun by illegals, you betcha.
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/07/bahr...
http://thinkprogress.org/?p=121701
http://thinkprogress.org/?p=93244
Angle is either wreckless or a liar or crazy. She said, for example, that Dearborn, Michigan is being "taken over by Muslims." There are 98,000 people in Dearborn, of whom less than 10,000 are Muslim.
Look, this woman is either crazy or not very bright, probably both.
"Advocates: Sharron Angle ad could increase Hispanic turnout ..."
Building up a "racist" image and dropping it at the right moment, will push them in the right direction.
...give it up, give it up, Angle, give it up...
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkew5_k...
If anything, they will turn out in large droves to burn Sharon Angle at the stake!
Yup, Angle was too lazy to use get her own pictures of menacing illegals so she "plagiarized" "diaper Daves."
Call Rightklaven!
Republicans are not racists. Democrats are. Look at the evicence.
Maybe the Republicans are not racists, but why are the Tea Party Republicans mostly white?
Why are they showing attack ads with Hispanic looking illegals? The same "illegals" have been shown in other ads. Can't she use her own pictures?
Anyway, when you compare Harry Reid who has accomplished a lot for Nevada with Sharron Angle and her strange view, you don't need attack ads to know that Harry Reid is the best candidate!
This Ad cuts both ways, it will cause legal Nevada voters to come out in droves, we are still; at least for now the majority. Good bye Senator Reid, love to see ya go.