Oh Tom:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R) raised eyebrows last week with his answers during a roundtable discussion hosted by a Spanish-language newspaper in Philadelphia.
After suggesting that he was unaware of any Latinos serving in his administration, Corbett told the attendees at The Union League of Pennsylvania, "If you can find us one, please let me know."
Pennsylvania's Latino population grew by more than 80 percent to a total of 720,000 in the decade between 2000 and 2010, according to the U.S. Census. At least 77 percent of Hispanics residing in Pennsylvania are American citizens by birth, and more are citizens by naturalization.
During the roundtable, Corbett also appeared to be confused about the distinction between ethnicity and "nationality."
"Trying to grow jobs in Pennsylvania is in the interest of whatever nationality we are talking about," Corbett said. "When it comes to the economy, trying to grow jobs is in the interest of every nationality," he repeated. - Huffington Post, 5/22/13
Yeah, with Pennsylvania's growing Latino population, I find that hard to believe he can't find a Latino to work for him:
http://thinkprogress.org/...
In 2012, Corbett proclaimed Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 “Hispanic Heritage month,” noting “I commend the many social and economic contributions of Latino-Hispanics in our state and celebrate the rich and diverse culture of Pennsylvania’s fasting growing minority group,” Corbett said and noted that Pennsylvania’s 800,000 Latino residents represent approximately 6.8 percent of the overall population. A 2008 survey found that the Harrisburg-Carlisle metropolitan region “is home to more than 18,000 people of Hispanic or Latino origin,” one third of whom live in the city of Harrisburg. The city is also home to the Latino Hispanic American Community Center.
Corbett has established a commission of Latino affairs, which his website describes as “the Commonwealth’s advocate agency for its Latino community.” “The GACLA makes recommendations to the Governor on policies, procedures and legislation that would affect the Latino community in Pennsylvania and serves as the Governor’s liaison to Latinos in order to ensure that state government is accessible and accountable to the Latino community,” it says. - Think Progress, 5/22/13
Gubernatorial candidate, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D. PA-13) wasted no time going after Corbett on his remarks:
It seems we can’t go very long without Governor Corbett insulting another group of Pennsylvanians. First the state’s women. Then hard working Pennsylvanians looking for work. And, now Latinos.
Moderator: Do you have staff members that are Latino?
Corbett: No, we do not have any staff members in there. If you can find us one, please let me know.
Moderator: I am sure that there are Latinos that...
Corbett: Do any of you want to come to Harrisburg? See?!
Governor Corbett’s excuse for why he can't find qualified Latinos to join his staff is nearly as bad for as his excuses for mismanaging Pennsylvania's economy.
So to help Governor Corbett out, we're putting together some binders full of hard-working Pennsylvanians who find this offensive and find him out-of-touch.
Binders go for $5 at the store - so help us with a $5 contribution and add your name to our binder!
https://services.myngp.com/...
Help us send a strong message that as Pennsylvanians who love our state we will not tolerate this offensive thinking anymore.
-Team Schwartz
You can click here to donate to Schwartz's campaign:
https://services.myngp.com/...