DNC’s Dean Gains Hispanic Feedback
But Shares Little of His Plans
Sonia Meléndez     [Photo]

The Democratic National Committee’s third Hispanic Leadership Summit, held Aug. 6-7 in San Antonio, drew some 400 Latino political activists from throughout the country. DNC Chair Howard Dean described the event as designed to obtain feedback from these leaders. He and other DNC officials labeled it a productive effort.

Some attendees, however, expressed frustration to Hispanic Link News Service over what they called the party's failure to communicate its goals and plans on how it intended to reach out to the Hispanic community.

Among their complaints was that the event was disorganized and key Latino political leaders, including Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) and former Clinton Cabinet member Henry Cisneros were absent. Cisneros, who served four terms as mayor of San Antonio in the ’80s, is still highly influential within Democratic Party ranks. He was traveling on business overseas.

Dean told the participants that he wants a "new partnership" among groups of color, but, he failed to share any specific plans.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) was among five members of Congress who were present. She commented, "The party has been taking Latinos for granted for too long and that has to stop. In many areas we were not consulted on the outreach in Latino communities, even in our own backyard."

Kansas state Rep. Delia García said that the most significant requests Hispanic leaders are making to the party include the hiring of a Hispanic in a decision-making position at the DNC, and more funds for Hispanic outreach efforts.

DNC spokesperson Luis Miranda responded to Hispanic Link that Dean is aware of the community’s concerns and is making an effort to be more inclusive.

"We are showing up now. We are not taking any votes for granted," Miranda said.

Since Dean won the chairmanship of the DNC in February, he has visited 30 states as part of the party's 50-state tour. This year he has spoken before three major Latino conventions, the National Council of La Raza, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

Still, the DNC has no Hispanics among its staffers at the very top.

Andy Hernández, a former DNC official who is now a political scientist at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, said that the real test for the DNC will be the dollar amount it invests on its Hispanic efforts.

"What percent of the total budget will be spent on the Latino community in the next year?" he asked.

Hernández added that no Hispanic plays a significant role in the DNC’s financial decision-making.

He emphasized to Hispanic Link that money plays an important role in developing and delivering a message catering to Latinos, placing them in leadership positions at the DNC and implementing long-term programs.

"You can talk the talk but if you are not putting the money out, you're not walking the talk," Hernández said.

Asked by Hispanic Link about the DNC’s budget, a spokesperson declined to specify how much money has been spent or is projected to be spent on Hispanic outreach efforts.

(Sonia Meléndez is editor of the national newsweekly Hispanic Link Weekly Report. She may be contacted by email soniam@hispaniclink.org)

© 2005, Hispanic Link News Service
08/21/05
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