As November 4 quickly approaches, and the election becomes tense, a considerable part of the population has the spotlight on them: Latinos. The Latino vote could decide the denouement of the 2008 election. In 2000, there was an estimated 5.9 million Latino who voted; in 2004, 7 million. What will be the increase this year, in an election some say is the most historical?
Both Obama and McCain are not alone in believing that the Latino vote is pivotal. First-generation Cuban-American rapper, Armando Christian "Pitbull" Perez expresses to VIBE the importance behind the Latino vote. Even as he delivers yet again another club anthem, "Krazy", Pitbull wants to speak on other things that have been heavy on his mind: the Latino Vote, his hope for Obama, McCain's sacrilege and his disappointment towards rapper Daddy Yankee.
From Hillary to Obama and on the way, an X for McCain
I will be voting for Barack Obama. When the campaign first started, I was going for Hillary Clinton. As it progressed, I started to watch and listen to Obama. I liked the way he spoke: very motivational, inspirational. [He] makes you feel proud to be American. He understands how it feels to once not have nothing and make something out of nothing. There's a difference, there's Obama, and there is a stereotypical president. He, Obama, is different from the others.
Respect Given Respect Taketh Away
When I said, "I'm definitely voting for Barack Obama" was when the first debate occurred. McCain would not even look at him. The streets are instinctive on body language. You got to know about it when you're in the streets, doing what you’re doing. They're like, "Can you believe this old mother fucker didn't even look at Obama?" They know. This is about who's going to run the most powerful country in the world. We may lose that power if we keep fucking around with the wrong president. One thing that was taught to me as a kid was to give a firm handshake, [when] you speak and to look at someone in the eyes. This is how you show respect.
Hope for change but fear too
My biggest hope is obviously for Barack Obama to be the President of the United States. I think Obama is very ambitious, he has a lot of ideas, and I feel like he can tackle a lot of the issues, but I don't think he'll be able to do all that he wants. I think that if he pulls off two...which would be, somehow, someway stabilize our economy and to get those soldiers out of Iraq. If he starts with that, he will re-build American's confidence. That’s what I think needs to be instilled again; a system that we should live upon, which is honor.
My biggest fear is for [McCain supporters] to say, "Okay you wanted a black president? Okay, here you go," and give it to us in the worst economical state that we can be in, when our country is on the floor. They'll say, "I told you a black guy wasn't going to do nothing." That’s what I see as part of a plan. I’m hoping I am wrong.
Daddy Yankees endorsement of John McCain
That was a fucked up move from his part. Especially Daddy Yankee being Latino, knowing how it feels to struggle. I do think that it was a publicity stunt. Yankee is not a bad guy, but you tell me who you hang out with and I'll tell you who you are. I feel like it was people around him that thought he should do it to get his name out there. I don't know what it was, but it felt so unnatural, not genuine...fake, "I support A Senator McCain" (impersonating Daddy Yankee, in broken English). You're not even an immigrant, you're from Puerto Rico, its part of the United States of America, and you don't need a passport. I can see why Fat Joe is hot. I'm not hot I'm disappointed. Then Fat Joe said, "Let's go on a debate." I agree. We can do it in Spanish if you want. He knows it was not a smooth move. I'd sit down with him and talk to him. He ain't got much to talk about. He knows that he's not politically fit.
The Youth Vote
People are wearing Obama shirts like they're Bob Marley shirts. He's got a powerful hold on the youth. Obama has gotten a lot of the youth excited, a lot more involved, a lot more interested, especially the youth who look at all the details. All you have to do is pay attention; all I want people to do is to have an educational opinion. Watch, listen, and don’t just hear. Watch body language, look at the way they express themselves, embrace them. Even 15 year olds are listening, they can't even vote, but in the next go-around they're voting. That’s huge.
The Latino Vote
There are a lot of cats out here that are first generations that are the first in their families who are getting a chance to vote. I'm a first generation voter. Maybe their parents didn't understand the power of voting because they never could. So now you got this surge of black and Latin voters, their young, their powerful, and their making money. We are talking about a culture that has come over to the United States. We do make a difference. There hasn't been this much emphasis on the Latin vote before.
To those Latinos voting for McCain, I think they’re out of their fucking minds. Just listen to McCain, the way he speaks, the things he's done in the past and the things he's bolded on. If they really feel that that man can change the country, more power to them. Do I disagree? 150 percent.
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