Whitman Ad Insults Latino Intelligence

File this under Mexicans are Stupid and Gullible Department in the minds of white politicians.

In California, Republican governor candidate Meg Whitman is releasing a new Spanish language television ad. Translated, it beckons, in part:

"Meg Whitman is a different kind of candidate. She is a business leader ready to fix Sacramento, ready to create more jobs and better schools in California. She respects our community. She is the Republican who opposes the Arizona law and opposed Prop. 187. She means real change..."

As MSNBC's First Read points out:

During the primary, Whitman ran a radio ad featuring former California Gov. Pete Wilson, the man behind Prop. 187, who said in it: “Meg Whitman will be as tough as nails on illegal immigration.” And in a TV ad during the primary, Whitman looked directly at the camera and said she opposes amnesty and will send National Guard troops to the border, if necessary.

My hat's off to NBC's Sarah Blackwill for calling this to national attention.

Politicians of both parties are shameless for exploiting minorities with blatant distortions and omissions of on-the-record statements in their foreign-language radio and television commercials. These pols operate under the assumption their foreign-language-speaking constituents are gullible and stupid.

In California, Latinos represent 36% of the electorate and are fortunate to have plenty of Spanish-speaking radio and TV stations where hopefully the broadcasters can set the record straight.

It is understandable that Whitman is trying to repair fences after leaning far right to win the governor nomination.

The issue is not how the entire electorate perceives issues close to the Hispanic community. The issue is being honest and forthright on those matters by politicians.

Vaya con dios, Meg Whitman, but don't insult people's intelligence.