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SALT LAKE CITY -- One key block of voters in the 2012 race for President could be Latinos. As a group, they've generally supported Democrats, but many Latinos have some misgivings about Obama administration policies on which Republicans hope to capitalize.
A key fact about the Latino vote is that it is growing. As the Latino population grows in some swing states, Latino votes could prove pivotal in the 2012 race.
In a close race, states such as Nevada, Colorado, arizona and Florida could be key, according to Utah GOP delegate Marco Diaz, who noted Latino Republicans now hold the governor's posts in New Mexico and Nevada.
"The message is good," he said. "We are a conservative party and it resonates, not only socially conservative but fiscally conservative, with many Hispanics. But we have to change the tone in terms of immigration."
One challenge for many Latinos: in the 2012 GOP primaries, some candidates have pushed a strong anti-immigration message to appeal to conservatives.
The message is good. We are a conservative party and it resonates, not only socially conservative but fiscally conservative, with many Hispanics. But we have to change the tone in terms of immigration.
–Marco Diaz
"Sadly, a lot of the rhetoric coming from the Republican Party is alienating a lot of Republican voters, whether they realize or not, even though it is geared to win a primary election," said Antonella Packard, Northwest director of Somos Republicans.
The president and Democrats continue to see strong Latino support, but perhaps weak voter motivation, according to a Pew Hispanic Center survey.
In a hypothetical contest versus GOP front-runner Mitt Romney, the poll found Obama would win 68% to 23% among Latino registered voters, mirroring the 67% to 31% margin Obama carried in 2008.
Republican Michael Clara says Latinos may take a second look at whoever is the GOP nominee, because Democrats failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform when they had the chance.
"We had high hopes and in fact he campaigned on that, that they were goign to implement immigration reform and we never saw that happen."
By a ratio of more than two-to-one, according to the Pew poll, Latinos disapprove of the way the Obama administration is handling deportations of unauthorized immigrants.
Sean Reyes, who is running for Utah Attorney General, says the presidential contenders need to address not just immigration, but jobs, education and health care.
"I think it will be jobs and the economy that affect the Latino vote the most," he said.
