Do "newcomers" look at the issues when they vote?

Question

A recently was speaking to a political candidate who mentioned that his greatest number of votes came from immigrants. He said that they were easy votes because he only had to tell them that he would grant special attention to their nationality, and they would vote on mass for him. He said they didn't express any interest in the usual topics of the day like taxes, economy, etc., only that a candidate was for their people.

Has anyone else noticed this, or was this just one guy's opinion???

Answer 1

I think there is a difference between newcomers who are 18 year olds voting for the first time and immigrants who just earned citizenship. (and understand I am generalizing).

first time voters of all kinds often will take an issue and run with it, whether it be the hot topic of the day or someone who says they will look out for them.

But I have found with my friends who have earned citizenship, they take their voting VERY seriously since many could not where they came from. While they can get caught up in an election or two without really looking to the future, they don't for long. So I would say it was just his opinion as to them.

However, as to natural born citizens, I do think they can easily get caught up in a "cause" and not look beyond it having had the benefits of this system their whole life. So his statement could be correct as to them.

For me, it's kind of hard to answer, being in So. Cal. I do know there are politicians who just cater to hispanic votes and get them solely for that reason, but by in large I think that politician you mention may make it locally, but not much farther than that.

I'll be interested in seeing other answers for other's experiences on this.

Answer 2

50% of your statement is correct as an individual who has campaigned for candidates I am asked what will you do for me, or my culture.

Everybody in one way or another is selfish, it is hard to see to bennefiting others without benefiting oneself.

But in toronto it is mostly what will be spent on what not economic growth, and the ones that yell the loudest seem to want more without effort.