Politics

American Crossroads launches ad in Spanish

Jeff Winkler Contributor
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“We’re broke” doesn’t get lost in translation.

Perhaps that’s why conservative politicians and advocates are turning their sights on Hispanic and Latino voters. The prominent conservative super-PAC, American Crossroads, has released a Spanish-language ad attacking President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats over the country’s massive debt and spending.

The minute-long spot, “Despertarse,” is part of the American Crossroads’ $20 million campaign and will be featured on television stations in Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and Washington, D.C.

“Despertase” is the Spanish-language version of American Crossroad’s national “Wake Up” ad, released earlier this month. Last week, the super-PAC — fundraising groups that can accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations or unions — released a series of ads specifically targeting vulnerable Democratic representatives.

American Crossroads isn’t the only conservative group aiming to attract Latino voters. The Republican National Committee launched its own ad campaign today in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada — all battlegrounds in the 2012 election that have seen dramatic increases in Hispanic and Latino voters. Obama won those states by single digits in 2008. The RNC said their TV ad will be accompanied Spanish-language radio ads attacking unemployment numbers, which is at about 11.5 percent among Hispanics.

Meanwhile, the Republican State Leadership Committee announced a new initiative on Monday meant to encourage more Hispanic candidates to run for office, assuming they’re Republican, of course. (New York Times posts Spanish translation of immigration article)

Attracting Latino voters has become an important strategy for the GOP as Obama’s approval ratings drop below his disapproval ratings. In 2008, Obama won two-thirds of the Hispanic and Latino vote and Democrats won 60 percent of the vote in the 2010 midterm elections, according to CNN.

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