Social Context

1
Social Context Exile PoliticsA Look at Cuban
Cuban American Political Attitudes

• Lisa García Bedolla,
• University of California Irvine
• Jessica Lavariega Monforti,
• University of Texas, Pan American

2
The Survey Data

• 600 adult Cuban and Cuban American Miami-Dade
  residents
• Telephone survey, February 6-19, 2006
• Margin of Error /- 3
• Language 11.5 English and 88.5 Spanish
• Random sample from Spanish surname listed phone
  numbers combined with voter registration data
• Funded by various institutions at the University
  of California, Irvine

3
The Sample

• 92 foreign-born, 8 U.S. Born
• 89 citizens, 11 non-citizens
• 63 Republican, 11 Independent, 14 Democrat
• 18 liberal, 23 moderate, 49 conservative
• 74 homeowners, 23 renters Avg. age approx. 50
• 9 single, 56 are married, 11 divorced
• 56 earn less than 40,000 yearly, 6 100,00
• Majority said middle (54) or working class (23)
• 13 less than high school, 31 high school grad,
  13 some college, 27 college grad, 9
  post-graduate

4
Transportation, Taxes, and Security Key Concerns

• 33 said Iraq and terrorism was the most
  important issue to them personally
• 26 said Cuba and/or Castro more important to
  those over 60 indicating possible future change
• 21 indicated that traffic/road conditions/
  transportation is the most important issue in the
  county taxes (15), crime (14), and political
  corruption (11) also ranked high

5
Catholic Cubans Seem Politically Distinct

• 76 of respondents indicated that they are
  Catholic
• 44 of Catholics said they attend religious
  services more than a few times a month
• 27 of Catholics said they are a members of a
  religious group
• 49 of Catholics said they are ideologically
  conservative
• 52 said they are registered Republicans, 13
  Independents, and 18 Democrats

6
Language Assimilation Low and Cuban Connection
Strong

• 28 of sample arrived since 1980
• Language assimilation weaker than expected
• 28 speak English very well
• 96 speak Spanish very well
• 70 prefer to speak Spanish 20 both languages
• 50 watch television in Spanish more than English
• See fate linked with that of other Hispanics
  (62) and immigrants (60) slightly less than
  that of Cubans/Cuban Americans (73/75)
• 11 had worked with a Cuban-oriented organization

7
Cubans Remain Active in U.S. Electoral Politics

• Cuban Americans continue to be politically active
  in terms of voting
• 94 of eligible, registered voters said they
  voted in 2004 while 6 said they did not vote
• Of those voters, 71 said they voted for Bush and
  13 said they voted for Kerry
• Looking toward 2008, respondents indicated that
  the U.S. campaign against terrorism (26), the
  war in Iraq (24), and the economy (16) are top
  concerns

8
Political Engagement Broader than Expected

• 10-25 reported working for a political
  organization, civic/community organization,
  environmental organization or youth group
• 20 participated in a protest, march, or
  demonstration
• 20 signed a petition about a political/social
  issue
• 59 said they discuss politics at home very often
  or sometimes

9
Cuban Politics More Complex than Often Thought

• Significant portion of the community has arrived
  since 1980
• Leads to lower levels of language assimilation,
  which affects policy priorities and needs
• Cuba still an important issue, but not the only
  issue
• Most important problem to them personally was
  Iraq and terrorism (33.3), with Cuba second
  (25.6)
• 15 dissatisfied with available choices for Cuba
  solution suggests some room for new approaches
• National security will be more important for vote
  in 2008 than U.S.-Cuba policy