GOP Presidential Candidates Stand Together For English As Official Language

[Harold Schiffman]

 GOP Presidential Candidates Stand Together For English As Official Language

Ten Republican presidential candidates debated at St. Anselm College in
Manchester, New Hampshire on Tuesday night in their third debate this
campaign season. As a follow-up to our previous *Smart Politics* entry, the
Republicans departed starkly from their Democratic counterparts, who debated
at St. Anselm on Sunday night, on the issue of making English the official
language of the United States. Last Sunday only 1 Democratic candidate –
former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel (who is polling at the bottom in primary
matchup polls) – stated that English should be the official language in the
USA. On Tuesday night, when asked by CNN moderator Wolf Blitzer if any
Republican candidate did *not* support making English the official language,
9 candidates remained silent. Only John McCain raised his hand with
qualified support for the policy. McCain stated "it was fine," but noted
that treaties with Indian nations, such as those in his home state of
Arizona, permit tribal governments to conduct their official business in
their native tongue.

Several Republican candidates attempted to jump at this opening provided by
McCain, however, as the question posed only asked for those who did
*not*support the policy, Blitzer did not let any candidate offer a
rejoinder.
Approximately 90 percent of self-identified Republicans support the policy
of making English the official language of the nation.

Posted by Eric Ostermeier on June 6, 2007
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/oster017/smartpolitics/2007/06/gop_presidential_candidates_st.html


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