GOP Hope

-- Barack Obama clobbered John McCain among Hispanic voters. Indeed, his strength among Hispanics contributed to his victories in Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and -- yes -- Virginia. The vote seems less a personal rejection of McCain -- whose record appealed to Hispanics -- than a repudiation of a GOP brand considered hostile to minorities. Republicans earned the rebuke.

The Hispanic vote traditionally has varied among subgroups. Cuban-Americans in South Florida, for instance, typically prefer Republicans, while Mexican-Americans in California typically prefer Democrats. Thanks in part to George Bush's efforts, in recent years Republicans had claimed some success in wooing Hispanics of diverse national origin. Circumstances have changed. Heated rhetoric regarding immigration not only brought progress to a halt but reversed the trend. Although illegal immigration raises legitimate concerns and the U.S. has an obligation to control its borders, certain Republicans simply do not understand how their words and body language project hostility. People know when they are not wanted. They understand what "real" means.

If the GOP does come to its senses soon, Hispanics could attach themselves with the Democrats for generations -- thereby making it almost impossible for the GOP to win nationally. Demographics is destiny. Bloc-voting by Hispanics would have the potential to doom Republicans in Virginia.

The GOP enjoyed one bright spot in November, as the party swept elections in Puerto Rico. Led by Luis Fortuno, the GOP-aligned New Progressive Party won not only the governorship but control of the island's legislature. The new resident commissioner belongs to the NPP as well. Fortuno stressed mainstream GOP themes and ran against the incumbent party's corruption. His challenges include a rising crime rate. Success in Puerto Rico could help the GOP among Hispanics stateside. The "Progressive" in NPP has a nice ring, too.

There is additional serendipity. Fortuno earned a degree from the University of Virginia Law School. The commonwealth's Republicans ought to invite him to lead a seminar in principled outreach.