An Immigration Solution Equals Salvation For The Republicans

By now, we all know the facts. Among Hispanics, the fastest-growing segment of the American population, Mitt Romney won just 27 percent of the 2012 vote for president, compared to 44 percent won by former President George W. Bush in 2004. Some commentators suggest the GOP is outdated and irrelevant. Others predict the GOP will not win the White House again unless it abandons certain fundamental tenets. Both are wrong.

For reasons of political survival, Romney adopted a hard-line position against undocumented immigrants during the Republican primary. That was unfortunate and unnecessary. President Bush also believed deeply in border security and the rule of law. However, he spoke about the challenges of illegal immigration in a way that recognized we are a nation of immigrants. I believe with the right messenger, message and tone, the GOP will rebound and capture a larger percentage of the Hispanic vote in the future.