SRC: Hispanics React To The State Of The Union Address By President Bush.

In his “State of the Union” Address, President Bush declared that he had 3 major objectives: The War Abroad, Homeland Defense, and Economic Security. For the 38 million Hispanics and Latinos living in the U.S., the “State of the Union” is one of economic optimism for the future and high approval of President Bush and his policies. According to a Strategy Research Corporation overnight TeleNación poll among 600 Hispanics, conducted Tuesday Jan. 29, 42% of Hispanics reported watching the “State of the Union Address” and of those, 85% had an overall positive impression of the President’s Address. Over half of all respondents (51%) were registered voters. The margin of error for this poll is 4.0%.

According to Strategy Research Corporation’s 2002 U.S. Hispanic Market Report, there are about 13.6 million Hispanics eligible to vote at this time, representing a sizable voting bloc, and one of the most important groups courted by both Republicans and Democrats. This recent interest in the Hispanic vote is not only because of its present size, but its future size as well. Hispanics are already the largest minority group in terms of population, and if recent trends continue, Hispanics may become the largest minority voting bloc in the nation as soon as 2006.

In terms of specific issues, 81% of Hispanics approved of President Bush’s policies regarding education, while 4% did not approve of his policies. This shows how the Republican President has made inroads into this mostly Democratic constituency.

In terms of the education policies President Bush spoke about tonight, do you …

Approve of his education policies – 81%
Not Approve of his education policies – 4%
Approve of some and not approve of others – 3%
No opinion/Do not Know – 12%

In this poll, Hispanics were asked to rate their approval of the job President Bush has done as President of the United States. The majority of Hispanics, 84%, approve of the way he is handling the job. This overwhelming support is similar to the “Approval Ratings” the President has with the general U.S. population and has been published in other reports.

Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way President George Bush is handling the job as President of the United States?

Approve – 84%
Disapprove – 8%
No Opinion – 7%

In terms of the economic slowdown facing the nation and to which President Bush dedicated a considerable amount of his time in the “State of the Union” Address, Hispanics are optimistic and confident. Seventy-three percent (73%) of Hispanics rate their financial situation either the same or better than 6 months ago, while 78% expect that their financial situation will improve or remain the same in the next 6 months. Twenty-three percent (23%) of Hispanics report being in a worse financial situation compared to 6 months ago, but only 13% expect their financial situation to be worse 6 months from now.

Financial Situation / 6 months ago

Better – 28%
The same – 45%
Worse – 23%

Financial Situation / 6 months from now

Better – 48%
The same – 30%
Worse – 13%

Additionally, Hispanics have a strong optimism on the Government of this Nation and its handling of the economy. Over 72% of Hispanics are very or somewhat confident that the Government will resolve the economic issues in this country, while 18% are somewhat or not at all confident.

How confident are you that the government will resolve the economic issues in this country?

Very/Somewhat Confident – 72%
Somewhat/Not at all Confident – 18%
No opinion/Do not know – 10%

In conclusion, Hispanics represent an undeniable voting force in the United States that will only continue to grow in strength. Both parties need to address issues that are important to Hispanics such as immigration policies and education, if they wish the support of this important voting bloc. And, as seen in this poll, many Hispanics are interested in the political system of this country, they have opinions about policies, and have confidence in the United States and its Government.

For more information at http://www.www.strategyresearch.com