Every year since 2003, the George W. Bush years, there has been a Cinco de Mayo celebration on the Capitol grounds, and every year it has been HOSTED by the Speaker of the House. This year, John Boehner said NO! He is NOT hosting this event.The question was asked by the leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Charlie Gonzalez. Rep. Gonzalez sent a letter to Speaker Boehner in an effort to convince him do the event. Former speaker Nancy Pelosi even offered to help plan the event. Boehner’s response was an awkward throat-clearing. Basically, Boehner said, No Way Jose, Sorry Charlie! "YOU Should Host Something."
With Boehner's awkward response, the Republican Party once again disses American Latinos.
Note: It wasn’t the best of possible political moves. Cinco de Mayo is a big deal among Latino’s of Mexican ancestry in the US; bigger than it is in Mexico itself. In Washington, on Capitol Hill, the date has served to celebrate all things Latino in America: from politics to culture. It would have been a great opportunity for the top Republican on The Hill, third in line to the presidency, to show a little love toward the voting group he needs to keep his party in power. But he didn’t.
He probably thought no one would notice.
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