Media Diary Entry 3

Colbert had another interesting bit about Latino voters on Nov 1st, the day before the midterm elections. He aired a commercial funded by “Latinos 4 Reform” that urged Latinos to not vote in the upcoming elections. He noted that a Latinos 4 Reform leader, an ex-Bush administration advisor, stated that it was because the Democrats had made too many empty promises. While he couldn’t encourage Latinos to vote for Sharon Angle, a person who had taken a “bordering on racist position” on immigration, he also did not want the Latinos to vote Democrat. As silly as the ad sounds, it was a legitimate political advertisement, and run on the basis that it was the only way Latinos would be able to demand any attention. Colbert noted that the ad was pulled from Univision before it could be aired because it had nothing to do with soccer. This is yet another occasion in which Colbert plays with the typical stereotypes of Latinos in order to create a laugh. He further jokes that the “Latinos 4 Reform” speaks the language of the Latinos saying, “cuidado, piso mojado” (caution, wet floor) and “muy peligroso chaco taco” (very dangerous chaco taco). But at the same time, airing the commercial shows some of the ridiculous things political parties are asking Latinos to do – How would not voting function to make people recognize Latinos? In some ways, maybe; however, it does not seem to be the most effective way to gain status within the country. I think the point Colbert is trying to make is that people are trying to manipulate the Latino vote in any way because the are a large demographic, but it has gotten a little bit ridiculous.