(CNN) – The Spanish language television network Univision is pulling television and radio ads from the group Latinos for Reform, which urge people not to vote.
In the ads, which were set to begin airing on Univision on Thursday, a Spanish speaking narrator cites the Obama administration's lack of action on immigration reform and tells viewers "This November we need to send a message to all politicians. If they didn't keep their promise on immigration reform, then they can't count on our vote."
"Don't vote this November," the narrator says as a bell tolls. "This is the only way to send them a clear message, you can no longer take us for granted. Don't vote."
Robert Deposada, chairman of the activist group Latinos for Reform and a conservative political analyst for Univision, told CNN that a sales representative called him Wednesday and said that the "concept of the message was not in line with their views."
"Univision will not be running any spots from Latinos for Reform related to voting." Univision spokeswoman Monica Talan confirmed in an email to CNN.
"It is also important to clarify that while Mr. Robert de Posada has on occasion provided political commentary on Univision, representing one of various points of views, he is not in any way affiliated with Univision. Univision prides itself on promoting civic engagement and our extensive national campaigns encourage Hispanics to vote."
Deposada said he believes Univision execs "didn't want to set Harry Reid off," and that he has now cancelled his appearances on the network.
According to Deposada, a radio version of the ad ran about five times on Tuesday but the television version never aired.
The ad, which was also posted online, features the iconic 'Change' poster of Barack Obama from the 2008 presidential election and pictures of members of the Democratic leadership including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Barbara Boxer (California), Rep. Maxine Waters (California) and Rep. Charles Rangel (New York).
Deposada said he is now reassessing the group's strategy, but insists he has not given up in pushing the message of the ad he produced, which is that President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress did not keep their promises to the Hispanic community.
He calls it a campaign to "highlight the empty promises," especially on illegal immigration.
About 6.5 million Hispanic voters will likely cast their ballots this year, according to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials nearly 1 million more than in the last midterm elections in 2006.
–CNN's Evan Glass and Lesa Jansen contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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It's one thing for the GOP to encourage Hispanics to vote for them, but telling them not to vote at all??? The GOP claims to love America and all it stands for, but says this?
BIEN HECHO UNIVISION!!!! Way to show true grit and gumption in seeing the ad for what it was: Hispanic voter supression.
Hardly surprising that the right wing would consider disenfranchisement as a reasonable alternative to minority participation in elections.
Thats right,don't vote because you are illegal!But the Democrats won't let a little thing like that stop them.They let dead people vote and daffy duck and winnie the poo and betty boop.LOL!Dems are losers!
Isn't this the same that the republikans were doing in 2008 telling some people that the voting was not to take place on November 4th but another day after the 4th?
Once again the rethugs trying to tell people how to live their lives and what to do.
They need to know that the NV lunatic angle thinks they all look Asian and that the same picture she is using against illegals in NV is being used by rand paul in KY. Funny because neither state is near the border with Mexico but, what's a little geography when you can spread fear and hate by showing your ignorance.
Typical of the right wings complete lack of integrity. The people that fought against everything, in every way they could, that delayed every insignificant cabnet position, that had record fillibustering, they are the first to comlain that things are talking to long. The GOP just told you to your face that they think you are stupid. You either get that or they are right!
Obama has angered anti-war advocates, gays, Hispanics. Who's next?
All on broken promises.
Hey – he got your vote – now shut up.
"This November we need to send a message to all politicians. If they didn't keep their promise on immigration reform, then they can't count on our vote."
Now that would be a BAD MOVE – I'm glad to see that the ad was PULLED!!! If ANYTHING is going to be done in regard to Immigration Reform – it WILL BE done by President Obama – NOT the RepubliCAN'Ts!!!!!!!
TWO YEAR, TWO YEARS, TWO YEAR, TWO YEARS, TWO YEAR, TWO YEARS, TWO YEAR, TWO YEARS, TWO YEAR, TWO YEARS, TWO YEAR, TWO YEARS, TWO YEAR, TWO YEARS, TWO YEAR, TWO YEARS, TWO YEAR, TWO YEARS, TWO YEAR, TWO YEARS – Keep in MIND that President Obama had only TWO YEARS and SIX more to go!! I truly believe DADT (which had breaking news this evening) and Immigration are TWO things that will get PASSED – just keep the FAITH and HOPE!!!
This is T'SAH from Virginia and I approve this message!!!
Remember Latino, African American, and Oriental voters.....the Republicans think you all look alike.....stupid.
Still wondering how many illegal immigrants are voting illegally, in US elections. I am certain some are.....the question is how many?
After what Sharon Angle said about hispanics, (students), they should not only vote, but vote in droves for Harry Reid. Angle would certainly know who they were afterwards.
This was a bold, outright attempt at voter suppression. On the public airwaves, no less. What is the Tea Party thinking here???
As for the post from Bender-get lost, you idiot.
TO BENDER........ YOU CAN'T VOTE IF YOU ARE ILL EGAL " DUMMIE" If nonregistered people vote, it's because the polling place is sloppy. I've worked them as a volunteer and we are very,very carefull to be sure that everything is done properly . If you vote, you should know that. Where are you from BENDER that would let daffy duck vote? Oh, I'm sorry, that must have been you voting>!!!!!
Two weeks from today the country will be liberated from tyranny when the democrats are unceremoniously thrown out of power. Obama is the worst president ever but the best thing to ever happen to the republican party.
I don't think the Democrats will necessarily get the majority of the Hispanic vote. Most Hispanics work for a living and their morals and values align more with Republicans.
This is the same thing the south did to Black people 80 years ago. GOP scares me they really scare me.
THANK YOU, CNN, for covering this story! This as basically disenfranchises Latinos. Takes our Voice away! Any one attempting to keep anyone from voting is totally....... UNAMERICAN! This group is a Conservative group "Latinos for Reform" headed by Conservative, Robert de Posada.
WHY would any American ever want to keep American citizens from voting?! Because they know that the Latino Vote will GO to the Democrats!
The GOP-Koch-TeaPartiers have insulted every Minority, but especially Blacks & Latinos! The Republicans lawmakers want to repeal the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, that gives children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents U.S. citizenship! That's as racist as being against the Civil Rights Act! (which TeaPartier Rand Paul wants to repeal!)
Latinos will vote, we will vote for the Party that protects our Rights! Democrats!
Republicans have shown they have no morals. The GOP party of lies, hate, bigotry will not do anything for the middle class. I am getting tired of republicans saying they are the party of fiscal responsibility when $11.5 trillion of our national debt was given to us by Reagan, Bush the elder, and Bush the child.
This article I was reading locally of a Republican screw-up. This letter comes out before every election but this year Republicans got it all wrong. The letter this year stated that the new simplified voting policy called for Democrats to vote on Nov. 02, 2010 and for Republicans to vote on Nov. 04, 2010. This year if Republicans listen to their own talking point this year, they will not vote. LOL
Typical GOP keep the minorities from voting.
For the life of me I can't understand why you would ask people NOT to vote. Voting IS important for ALL of us. It affects each of our lives. Go out and vote!
Democrats. Right for America.
Yeah Spanish network, great thinking, send a message to Democrats by not voting for them, then maybe you'll put enough Republicans in power that they just might send all brown people to special camps, that is concentration camps.
Why don't you just cut your noses too, to spite your face???
THE DUMBEST THING ON CAN DO IS NOT VOTE FOR SOMEONE OR SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK IS NOT PERFECT.
IN MY 33 YEARS OF LIFE, I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND ONE PERFECT THING IN THIS WORLD.
There is such a thing as a lesser of two evil (especially in Politics).
SO GO AHEAD AND SEND MORE REPUBLICANS TO CONGRESS...
...sometimes I think people should get just what they deserve.
Even I (a conservative) feel this is wrong headed and un-American!
More Republican dirty tricks. The GOP is starting to act like the Brown Shirts.
Wow, they really do think minorities are dumber than them.