Pablo Pantoja, State Director of Florida Hispanic Outreach for the Republican National Committee, deciding he's
had enough of the beatings:
From: Pablo Pantoja
Subject: From Republican to Democrat
Date: May 13, 2013 5:57:11 PM EDT
Friend,
Yes, I have changed my political affiliation to the Democratic Party.
It doesn’t take much to see the culture of intolerance surrounding the Republican Party today. I have wondered before about the seemingly harsh undertones about immigrants and others. Look no further; a well-known organization recently confirms the intolerance of that which seems different or strange to them [...]
The complete disregard of those who are in disadvantage is also palpable. We are not looking at an isolated incident of rhetoric or research. Others subscribe to motivating people to action by stating, “In California, a majority of all Hispanic births are illegitimate. That’s a lot of Democratic voters coming.” The discourse that moves the Republican Party is filled with this anti-immigrant movement and overall radicalization that is far removed from reality. Another quick example beyond the immigration debate happened during CPAC this year when a supporter shouted “For giving him shelter and food for all those years?” while a moderator explained how Frederick Douglass had written a letter to his slave master saying that he forgave him for “all the things you did to me.” I think you get the idea.
When the political discourse resorts to intolerance and hate, we all lose in what makes America great and the progress made in society.
A couple of weeks ago I might've made some crack about the GOP's rebranding efforts, but it's clear Republicans have long abandoned that. They're in perpetual scandal mode, and will be the rest of President Barack Obama's term. If you can't beat 'em with demographics (and they can't, see above), perhaps they can beat 'em with hysterical impeachment talk.
It's going to be a long three years, and then another long eight years after Hillary Clinton is elected president.