09 October 2008 - 06H54
Cuban voters shift political priorities
Those who stood up to Castro usually vote for the Republican candidate, since they share his tough stance towards Cuba’s communist regime. But the veteran generation is getting old, and younger voters have different priorities.
The Cuban exiles who were in the army tried to overthrow Fidel Castro’s communist regime in the infamous Bay of Pigs disaster of 1961. They’ve continued to push for democracy in their home country while backing its international isolation. John McCain shares this view and that will win him votes in this community.
But other Cuban voters think the status quo until Cuba’ changes its regime is a weight for the countrymen who stayed on the island. The effects of the US foreign policy toward Cuba are plain to see as the communist regime refuses aid to victims of Hurricane Gustav coming from the US.
Some need a change in relations; Ramon Saul Sanchez, from the Cuban Democracy Movements explains "Mr. McCain has already stated he will follow the same policies that George Bush has kept in place in regard to Cuba throughout his mandate, which has not helped at all the freedom of Cuba. In fact, I believe US foreign policy needs to be revised".
Obama’s willingness to talk to Cuba's leaders is proving popular with younger voters who reject the anti-Castro stance of their parents.
This debate could have a decisive impact in this battleground state on November 4th.
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