[lg policy] Nevada: Dean Heller gets lost in translation

[Harold Schiffman]

Dean Heller gets lost in translation
By Steve Benen
 -
Tue May 29, 2012 11:30 AM EDT

Associated Press


It's become quite common for candidates to publish two versions of
their campaign website -- one in English and one in Spanish --
especially in states with large Latino populations. It's not
surprising, then, Nevada's appointed senator, Republican Dean Heller,
maintains a site in each language.

What is surprising is that Heller and his campaign team are trying to
pull a fast one, putting out one message on immigration policy in
English, and a more forgiving message in Spanish. The Las Vegas Sun
reported today:

    The Heller campaign ... has set up a Spanish-language website,
deanheller.com/espanol. It is not as robust as the English-language
version but does have a summary statement about the candidate.

    On both sites, information can be found on Heller's stance on
immigration, including similar sections that address the convoluted
immigration system.... Yet, only the English-language site addresses
Heller's stance on border security and illegal immigration.

    "Businesses who knowingly hire illegal immigrants should be held
accountable," the English site states. "Dean also believes border
patrol must also have the resources necessary to end the flow of
illegal immigrants into the United States and opposes amnesty for
those who enter America illegally."

Many years ago, before the advent of modern media and communications,
it was fairly common for candidates to play fast and loose like this,
delivering a message to voters in one area, then traveling to a new
area and delivering the opposite message. More often than not, voters
were none the wiser.

Heller is putting a new twist on an old trick, offering one aggressive
message in English, while quietly offering a more moderate and
accommodating message in Spanish.

Wait, it gets worse.



    Heller, through his statements and votes in Congress, has
consistently supported limiting or eliminating the ability to conduct
government business in any language other than English. Heller has
sponsored legislation to limit election ballots to English-only, to
mandate that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid only be
filled out in English and to make English the official national
language. Heller also supported a bill to end birthright citizenship.

    On his Spanish-language website, however, his statement indicated
concern over Nevada students whose first language is not English.

    "No doubt, education is the path to success. Many children in
Nevada have the double challenge of getting a good education while
still learning to become proficient in English," the site says in
Spanish. "Dean has worked for many years to develop quality education,
which offers families and communities the resources they need to serve
their children."

Heller apparently assumed no one who speaks both languages would stop
to read both sites.

Oops.

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/29/11938052-dean-heller-gets-lost-in-translation?lite

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