Network pulls ad asking Latinos not to vote
(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.
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Latinos for Reform is a Republican Latino group with ties to the Bush Administration. You may recall ads they ran in the 2008 election alleging that Obama puts African Americans before Latinos and Africa before Latin America. Cowards.
It is a conservative Latino station that is trying to supress the Latino vote. I hope they support the President and the Democrat Party, the party that truly cares about their well being, and their right to attain citizenship. It is the southern Republican politicians that want them deported! Wake up, Latinos and VOTE ON NOVEMBER 2 and God bless you all!
Republican scare tactics, it won't work for the evil empire this time.
Because the Dems didn't keep their promise to Hispanics, lets let the Repubs get back in. Surely that will result in immigration reform!
Wow...this is the worst. The GOP needs to disappaer and take the tea party with them.
Same right wing scare, smear, and intimidate tactics. People like Bender will wake up to an America they will hate: one of fearless individual responsiblity by non-european Americans.
Voter suppression. Demonizing hispanics, muslims, gays, etc. I hope every single American of good conscience goes out on November 2nd and votes against anyone who engages in such tactics. That would be almost every Tea Party candidate and many, if not most, of the Republicans on the ballot.
We get the government we deserve. If we do not reject ignorant, narrowminded, and selfish politics, then we will end up with an ignorant, narrowminded, and selfish society. Welcome to the new far right.
WHAT IN THE WORLD?!?! I thought their base was all fired up BIUT they seem a little SCARED if you ask me. VERY HORRIBLE thing to do!!!!!! I hope it bites them in the voting booth big time!!!!!
Again the repos have shown us how patriotic they really are. Rickster you are a real jerk and your party is full of liers and treasones people. To tell people not to vote underminds the very fabric of our democracy. If you aren't white or christian watch out the repos will hang you out to dry. Vote all repos out