Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
66328765
label
Hispanic Strategy (3)
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
66328765
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
Hispanic Strategy (3)
citationUrl
collections
Records of the Office of the Chief of Staff (Reagan Administration)
James Cicconi's Subject Files
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
66328765
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1985-12-31
year
1985
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1981-01-01
year
1981
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
edb65a5bcf1afabd
ocrText
HOUSTON
TARRANCE
V LANCE TARRANCE E ASSOCIATES
HISPANIC LEADERS STUDY
JUNE, 1980
3845 West FM 1960, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77068 713-444-9010
Research for Decisions in Marketing, Politics and Public Affairs
SURVEY OVERVIEW
1
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Given the growth of the two-party system in Texas, traditional Democrat
strongholds are becoming vulnerable to recruitment by the Republican
Party. One such Texas group is the Hispanic community -- strongly con-
servative, family-oriented, traditional, and economically upwardly mobile.
The present study surveyed the leadership segment of the Hispanic community
in three South Texas counties to obtain information in the following areas:
1. Involvement/interest in politics and elections;
2. Hispanic leadership political party identification;
3. Hispanic leadership goals/outlook for Texas/evaluation of Texas
political party to accomplish state goals in the 1980's.
KEY FINDINGS/IMPLICATIONS
The key findings of the Hispanic Leadership Study are as follows:
1. The Hispanic leadership segment is significantly interested in
elections and the political process:
Interest in Politics. Very 59%; Somewhat 30%; None 11%.
Importance of Hispanic Vote. Extreme 54%; Very 39%; Not 6%.
2. The Hispanic leadership is predominantly interested in local
politics, not state politics.
3. As a whole, the Hispanic community is split concerning Hispanic
influence in Austin:
Hispanics Have Influence in Austin. 54%
Hispanics Have No Influence in Austin. 43%
2
4. Most Hispanic leaders see themselves as Democrats:
Past Voting Record. Democrat 66%; Republican 12%; Ticket-
splitter 34%.
Party Ideological Stand. Democrat 45%; Republican 20%.
5. However, Hispanic leadership concerns for the future and for
Texas share a Republican view:
Economic/Business.
Jobs.
Government Reform.
6. When asked which party would be most likely to accomplish their
goals for Texas, the Republicans are mentioned out of proportion
to either respondent voting record or party identification:
Democrats. 31%
Republicans. 22%
Neither Party. 18%
Both Parties. 15%
7. Finally, the Hispanic leadership indicated their present (June 26,
1980) voting preference in the federal election as follows:
Reagan. 40%
Carter. 36%
Anderson. 7%
Undecided. 17%
8. The results of this analysis indicate that while a plurality of
the Hispanic vote (among community leaders) is predisposed toward
supporting Democratic candidates and the Democratic Party, many
hold values and attitudes which are compatible with Republican
3
Party positions. This is not to say that it will be easy to enlist
the support of these voters in behalf of the Republican Party.
In large part, Hispanics feel a larger sense of political efficacy
at the local level rather than at the state level. Consequently,
it is likely that Hispanic support for Republican candidates will
increase at the local level (e.g., Mayor, City Council, etc.)
before expanding into state politics at the legislative level.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4
BACKGROUND
The Texas Hispanic vote has historically gone to the Democrat Party. As
Texas moves towards becoming a two-party state, a certain segment of the
Hispanic community (traditional, conservative, family-oriented, business/
professional) should become good candidates for recruitment into the
Republican Party. The Hispanic leadership community consists primarily of
skilled professionals and small businessmen. These people may call them-
selves Democrats, but their attitudes and beliefs suggest they are more
in step with Republican philosophy. If significant numbers of the Hispanic
leadership community can be successfully converted from their historical
party identification, the Republican Party can establish a strong position
in this important Texas voting segment.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the research was to aid Texas State Republican
Party leadership in directing party recruitment and voting efforts among
members of the Hispanic community.
The survey data objectives were to obtain the following information from
Hispanic community leaders:
1. Present and future economic outlook for Hispanics in Texas;
2. Hispanic leadership interest and involvement in Texas politics;
3. Hispanic leadership party identification;
4. Hispanic leadership direction/goals for the 1980's.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
DESIGN
This report contains the results of a telephone survey of 300 registered
Hispanic community leaders in Nueces, Cameron, and Hidalgo Counties (100
respondents were interviewed in each county). Responses to this survey were
gathered during the period of June 24-26, 1980.
5
SAMPLE
The sample for this survey was obtained by a stratified random sample of
the following four respondent identification methods in each county:
1. Business owners/Leaders. Local Chamber of Commerce Hispanic
membership lists.
2. Professionals. Community professional Hispanic membership lists
(medical, legal, insurance, real estate, dental, and accounting).
3. Positional. Yellow pages calls to local business firms identified
Hispanic managers and department heads (key employee group).
4. Reputational. Respondents identified by methods 1-3 were asked
to identify other thought and opinion leaders in the local Hispanic
community.
This sample is not representative of the entire Hispanic community, but is
a good estimate of the local leadership group.
ADMINISTRATION
All interviewing, coding, data processing, analysis, report preparation,
printing and binding were completed at the general headquarters of V. Lance
Tarrance & Associates in Houston, Texas.
The project directors for this study were Jim Loyd and Richard E. Ryan, Ph.D.,
with consultation from Jan van Lohuizen, Ph.D., in design and data analysis.
CHAPTER I
HISPANIC LEADERSHIP DEMOGRAPHICS
19
Overview
Sample. The sample of respondents for the Hispanic Leadership Study was
constructed using the following four respondent sources in each county:
1. Business Owners/Leaders. Local Chamber of Commerce Hispanic
membership lists were sampled to obtain business and industry
leaders (27 percent of sample).
2. Professionals. Community professional Hispanic membership lists
were sampled to obtain professional respondents in the following
areas (40 percent of sample):
medical
legal
insurance
dental
real estate
accounting.
3. Positional. Calls to local business firms identified Hispanic
managers and department heads. These respondents constituted the
"key employees" group (33 percent of sample).
4. Reputational. Respondents were asked to indicate individuals they
felt were thought and opinion leaders in the Hispanic community.
These "reputational" respondents were then contacted and interviewed
(classified in categories 1-3).
Population Demographics. The sample drawn in the Hispanic Leadership Study
can be used to describe this leadership group in Texas. Chart I compares the
1980 demographic data for the Hispanic leadership community with the 1978
demographic data for all Texas citizens and overall Texas Hispanics.
As might be expected, the Hispanic leadership group is concentrated (61%) in the
family adult stage between thirty-five and fifty-four, and is predominantly
male (89%). As opposed to the general Hispanic or Texas population, the His-
panic leadership group is predominantly native Texan (79%).
20
Considering education levels, the Hispanic leadership group more nearly
approximates the general Texas population, but with a slightly higher college
graduate level. The Hispanic leadership group is more conservative than
the total Hispanic community, but not as conservative as the overall Texas
population.
The Hispanic leadership group shows a Democrat voting record but is much
less extreme in Democrat affiliation than the overall Hispanic community.
However, the leadership group does not show a significantly greater Repub-
lican voting trend. Only twelve percent (12%) of the Hispanic leadership
group call themselves Republicans, as compared with eight percent (8%) of
all Hispanics and twenty-six percent (26%) of all Texans.
21
CHART I
TEXAS HISPANIC OPINION LEADER
POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS
1980 Texas
1978 Texas
Hispanic Leader-
Hispanic
1978 Texas
ship Survey
Population
Population
(N=300)
(N=200)
(N=1000)
%
%
%
1. AGE
Young Adult
(18-34)
26
45
34
Family Adult
(35-54)
61
43
37
Older Adult
(55+)
13
12
30
2.
EDUCATION
Less Than High School
13
21
14
High School Graduate
24
31
31
Some College
25
34
24
College Graduate
38
14
31
3.
IDEOLOGY
Very Conservative
11
16
14
Conservative
44
31
51
Moderate
12
9
8
Liberal
24
30
23
Very Liberal
7
14
5
22
CHART I Continued
1980 Texas
1978 Texas
Hispanic Leader-
Hispanic
1978 Texas
ship Survey
Population
Population
(N=300)
(N=200)
(N=1000)
%
%
%
4. VOTING
Mostly Republican
6
5
15
Slightly Republican
7
3
11
The Man
20
20
19
Slightly Democrat
26
17
11
Mostly Democrat
40
55
45
5.
POLITICAL TARGET GROUP
Republican
12
8
26
Ticket-splitter
22
20
19
Conservative Democrat
34
34
31
Liberal Democrat
32
38
25
6.
TURNOUT PROBABILITY
High
35
15
25
Medium
54
69
67
Low
11
17
7
7.
RESIDENCY IN TEXAS
1970-1980
9
1960-1970
5
Before 1960
7
Native Texan
79
23
CHART I Continued
1980 Texas
Hispanic Leader-
ship Survey
(N=300)
%
8. SEX
Male
89
Female
11
9. OCCUPATION
Business Owner
27
Professional
40
Key Employee
33
CHAPTER II
OUTLOOK FOR HISPANICS IN TEXAS
24
Overview
Effect of Inflation. Figure 1 shows the reported effects of inflation on
the Hispanic leadership community. The data show that even among this elite
group, a majority of respondents (53%) consider themselves to be seriously
affected by inflation. Only a few (10%) claim no effect of inflation on
their lives.
Table 1 shows that inflationary effects are evenly spread across most
demographic characteristics. Republicans seem slightly less bothered by
inflation, the family adult population seems hardest hit, with older adults
second, and younger people third. Business owners seem slightly less affect-
ed by inflation than either professionals or key employees.
Opportunity for Hispanic Economic Advancement. Figure 2 shows leadership
evaluation of the opportunities for Hispanic economic advancement in South
Texas. As indicated, a sizeable majority (63%) see positive opportunities
for Hispanics. However, approximately one-third (34%) of the leadership
group see the economic outlook as "only fair" or "poor".
Inspection of Table 2 shows different economic prospects across the three
counties sampled with Nueces lowest, Hidalgo in the middle, and Cameron
highest. High turnout voters and Republicans are more encouraged by the
economic opportunities in Texas than other groups.
Younger and older age groups are less inclined to think that Hispanics have
good economic opportunities in Texas. The data indicate that inflationary
impact has had little effect on the respondents' attitudes towards economic
opportunity for Hispanics.
Problem for self/family. Figure 3 shows the major problems for self and
family foreseen by the Hispanic leadership group. The most important group-
ing is economic/business related, traditional Republican themes. This con-
cern indicates that the Hispanic leadership group is an excellent target for
25
anti-inflationary campaign themes, especially considering the generally
positive (63%) economic outlook of this group.
Financial Security (17%) and Domestic Issues (19%) are the remaining important
issue groupings in Figure 3. Although security is generally a Democrat
issue, the remaining domestic issues are clearly Republican themes (energy
programs, education improvement, population growth, welfare abuse, government
control).
Table 3 provides a selection of verbatim responses concerning the future
outlook for Hispanics in Texas.
26
FIGURE 1
EFFECT OF INFLATION ON
HISPANIC OPINION LEADERS
= Extreme
% Response
= Very much
60
= Not much
53
%
= None
50
15
45 %
40
10
30
20
38
35
10
Large
Sma 11
Inflation Impact
27
TABLE II-1
R3. Inflation Effect.
Hard
Not so hard
%
%
Aggregates
54
45
Geographic Areas
Nueces
55
43
Cameron
52
48
Hidalgo
54
44
Turnout
Low (N=33)
42
58
Medium
54
44
High
56
42
Target Groups
Republican (N=37) -
43
51
Ticket-splitter
57
43
Cons. Democrat
56
43
Mod/Lib Democrat
53
46
Age/Education
-
Under 35/No coll. (N=18)
33
67
Under 35/Some coll.
45
52
35-54/No college
61
39
35-54/Some college
59
39
55 & over/No coll. (N=22)
50
50
55 & over/Some coll. (N=19)
42
58
Sex
54
45
Male
Female (N=34)
50
44
Occupation
Independent professional
56
43
Business ldr./Owner
48
51
Key employee
59
39
For additional information, see pages 2, 24, 49, 69, 93, 157, and 180 of
the cross-tabulations.
28
FIGURE 2
HISPANIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ECONOMIC
ADVANCEMENT IN TEXAS
= Excellent
= Good
% Response
= Only fair
= Poor
63 %
60
24
50
40
34 %
30
8
39
20
26
10
Positive
Negative
Economic Opportunity
29
TABLE II-2
R4.
Mexican/American Opportunities.
Excellent
Good
Fair/Poor
%
%
%
Aggregates
24
39
34
Geographic Areas
Nueces
12
45
42
Cameron
35
31
31
Hidalgo
25
40
30
Turnout
Low (N=33)
12
61
24
Medium
23
35
39
High
30
37
31
Target Groups
Republican (N=37) -
35
38
27
Ticket-splitter
26
37
31
Cons. Democrat
20
44
34
Mod/Lib Democrat
23
34
40
Age/Education
-
Under 35/No coll. (N=18)
6
67
28
Under 35/Some coll.
19
36
43
35-54/No college
21
44
29
35-54/Some college
29
39
29
55 & over/No coll. (N=22)
41
5
50
55 & over/Some coll. (N=19)
21
32
47
Sex
Male
25
38
33
Female (N=34)
15
41
41
Occupation
Independent professional
16
39
45
Business ldr./Owner
26
40
29
Key employee
28
36
32
Inflation effect
Hard
24
36
36
Not so hard
24
41
33
For additional information, see pages 2, 25, 50, 70, 94, 158, 181, and 323 of
the cross-tabulations.
30
FIGURE 3
MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM FACING
SELF/FAMILY OVER NEXT 5 YEARS (N=300)
% Response
1. ECONOMY/BUSINESS
41
Inflation (33%)
Business Growth (5%)
Standard of Living (3%)
2. FINANCIAL SECURITY
17
Jobs (7%)
Financial Security (10%)
3. SPECIFIC DOMESTIC PROGRAMS
19
Energy (5%)
Education Improvement (4%)
Problems of Population Growth (3%)
Welfare Abuse (2%)
Government Control (2%)
Taxes (1%)
Inept President (1%)
Deep Water Port (1%)
4. GENERAL POSITIVE
10
World Peace (2%)
Health & Happiness (5%)
Family (2%)
Morality (1%)
5. OTHER
10
Other Mention (3%)
No Answer (7%)
31
SELECTED VERBATIM RESPONSES
Question 2:
When thinking about the next five or ten years, different things will be
important to different people. In your own words, what is the most impor-
tant thing that comes to mind when thinking about the future of yourself,
your family and this part of Texas?
Length of
County
Sex
Ideology
Party
Age
Residence
Before 1960/
Cameron
Male
Conservative
Democrat
45-54
Native
"Economy, definitely, getting the economy back on the line and getting rid
of the recession that high prices have put us in."
Before 1960/
Hidalgo
Male
Moderate
Democrat
35-44
Native
"Economy in ten years, when my boy is 18, he won't be able to drive or go
to college because it will be too expensive."
Female/
Before 1960/
Nueces
works
Conservative
Democrat
18-24
Native
"A lot of things, jobs, politics I keep up with the politics as much as
I can
if I had time I could write it all down
education
keeping up
with the pace in this world."
Female/
Before 1960/
Nueces
works
Liberal
Democrat
45-54
Native
"Employment and education
well, we need more industry for better employ-
ment and more qualified teachers
better schools for better education.
Female/
Before 1960/
Cameron
works
Liberal
Democrat
25-34
Native
"Economics
the lack of industry here in the Valley
unemployment
is
everywhere and most people depend on an organization called CETA
in
fact the whole police department is full of these people and there's no
money behind the CETA organization the police department is going down-
hill."
32
Question 2 continued
Length of
County
Sex
Ideology
Party
Age
Residence
Before 1960/
Nueces
Male
Conservative
Independent
45-54
Native
"There are so many things it is hard to pin one thing down I guess the
most important thing would be education and the welfare of small children."
Before 1960/
Nueces
Male
Liberal
Democrat
25-34
Native
"A good place for my family to live is an important issue to me and I
want to keep it nice
also, we need an honest government and responsible
people in the future to get along in the world
we need something done --
all these things are important to me."
Before 1960/
Hidalgo
Male
Conservative
Independent
35-44
Native
"I wasn't ready for that question
health and happiness
the economy is
affecting us, and I'm uncertain as to how healthy and happy we can be."
Female/
Before 1960/
Nueces
home
Liberal
Democrat
45-54
Native
"Well, I don't like all this money being given away to people, like
welfare and food stamps I work very hard for my money and I see people
getting food stamps and welfare that don't deserve it also, U.S. should
take care of its own before Cubans and other incoming groups."
Female/
Nueces
home
Liberal
Democrat
45-54
1960-1969
"Get rid of welfare system
it is destructive to the recipients
they
are receiving enough money so they won't have to work this creates a
negative nonworking spirit
because they don't need to work, they don't
want to work."
Before 1960/
Nueces
Male
Liberal
Democrat
55-64
Native
"A lot of new people will be coming here, so I think we need good communi-
cations with them, but especially with our neighbors to the south
well,
we need their friendship because we don't have too many of them in Europe."
33
Question 2 continued
Length of
County
Sex
Ideology
Party
Age
Residence
Female/
65 &
Before 1960/
Nueces
works
Conservative
Democrat
over
Native
"Well, the most important thing is to wake up and do the best we can do
there is too much government involvement in Texas almost all the jobs
deal with government we shouldn't do away with welfare, but the ones that
are able to work should be found jobs, even if it's sweeping the streets
but on the other hand, the ones that are not able to work should be given
the money...I also think that people should pay closer attention to the way
the government is increasing land taxes every time they need revenue."
Before 1960/
Nueces
Male
Liberal
Democrat
35-44
Native
"The economy spiraling inflation energy gouging of the public by oil
companies our military strength we have an image now of not being as
strong as we were if that's true, I'm gravely concerned."
Before 1960/
Nueces
Male
Liberal
Democrat
55-64
Native
"Fuel shortage government should subsidize the oil companies to allow
them to explore for fuels."
Before 1960/
Nueces
Male
Liberal
Democrat
55-64
Native
"Energy we need to find better, more abundant, and cheaper forms of
energy.
Before 1960/
Cameron
Male
Moderate
Republican
45-54
Native
"Get Mr. Carter out of office he is ill advised and that man has put us
into a very dangerous situation with all the economic problems, our
foreign problems, and all the things we've done to Mexico nothing
is
good, but that man is sick."
CHAPTER III
HISPANIC LEADERSHIP INTEREST AND
INVOLVEMENT IN TEXAS POLITICS
34
Overview
Elections, Politics, and the Hispanic Vote. Figure 4 shows the ratings
of the Hispanic leadership group on their interest in elections and
their evaluation of the importance of the Hispanic vote. The data show
that approximately sixty percent (59%) of the leadership is strongly
interested in elections, and a nearly equal percent (54%) feel that
Hispanic voting is very important in the political process.
Inspection of Tables 4A and 4B show the following demographic character-
istics of politically "involved" Hispanic leaders:
1. Residents of Cameron County are more politically involved.
2. As expected, high turnout respondents are more involved.
3. Interestingly, among identified political target groups, liberal
Democrats are significantly more interested in elections, but
both Republicans and liberal Democrats are equally concerned
with getting out the Hispanic vote.
4. The college educated, and older respondent is more politically
active.
5. Business owners/leaders are the least politically involved,
while professionals show the most political involvement.
Figure 5 shows the evaluation of government/political importance in the
everyday life of the survey respondents. Only a small percentage of the
Hispanic leadership group (15%) did not see government as an important
(extremely/very) aspect of their lives. Table 5 shows very similar
patterns of demographics as the interest and involvement questions.
Level of Government for Involvement. Figure 6 indicates that the Hispanic
leadership is strongly interested in local government, and very little
interested in Texas state government. Inspection of Table 6 shows that
high turnout voters are much more likely to be involved at all levels
(local/state/national), while the low turnout voter is more likely to
be interested only at the local level.
In Texas, Republicans are more interested in the local races (understand-
ably), while Democrats, especially liberal Democrats, are less involved
35
exclusively at the local level. Interestingly, younger voters were in-
volved more exclusively at the local level while older voters were more
likely to be involved at all levels.
Overall, South Texas Hispanic leaders are very interested and involved in
politics, but predominantly at the local level (especially Republicans).
Increasing the Hispanic power in Austin politics could be a very profitable
long term aim of the Republican party in increasing both Hispanic and
Republican power in Texas.
Hispanic Influence in Austin. Figure 7 gives the Hispanic leadership
evaluation of Hispanic influence in Austin. Slightly more than half of
the Hispanic leadership group feel that it has influence in Austin, while
a sizeable minority (44%) feels it has little or no influence there.
Table 7 gives the demographic breakout for the influence question.
Surprisingly, given the lack of Republican political power in the state,
Republican respondents (especially business owners) feel they have good
levels of clout in Austin (73%). Ticket-splitters feel they have the
least (46%), with Democrats (53%) near the sample average. These data
suggest that "present" Republicans already have channels of influence
at the state level, and a Republican campaign to increase Hispanic
influence in Austin would have its greatest impact among ticket-splitting
Hispanics in the leadership community.
36
FIGURE 4
SELF-INTEREST IN ELECTIONS AND
IMPORTANCE OF HISPANIC VOTING
= Low
% Response
59
= Moderate
60
%
54%
= Strong
50
40
39
%
30%
30
20
11%
10
6%
Self-Interest in
Importance of
Elections
Hispanic Voting
Election/Voting Interest
37
TABLE III-4A
R5. Political Interest.
(N=34)
Very
Somewhat
Not
Interested
Interested
Interested
%
%
%
Aggregates
59
30
11
Geographic Areas
Nueces
59
27
14
Cameron
69
24
7
Hidalgo
48
39
13
Turnout
Low (N=33)
30
42
27
Medium
55
34
11
High
74
20
7
Target Groups
Republican (N=37) -
54
35
11
Ticket-splitter
C
51
35
14
Cons. Democrat
54
34
12
Mod/Lib Democrat
71
20
9
Age/Education
-
Under 35/No coll. (N=18)
22
50
28
Under 35/Some coll.
57
40
3
35-54/No college
47
32
21
35-54/Some college
71
22
7
55 & over/No coll. (N=22)
64
27
9
55 & over/Some coll. (N=19)
68
21
11
Sex
Male
59
30
11
Female (N=34)
56
29
15
Occupation
Independent professional
78
15
7
Business ldr./Owner
47
39
14
Key employee
57
32
11
Inflation effect
Hard
61
25
14
Not so hard
56
36
9
For additional information, see pages 2, 26, 51, 71, 95, 159, 182, and 324 of
the cross-tabulations.
38
TABLE III-4B
R6.
Importance/People Voting.
(N=19)
Extremely
Very
Not
Important
Important
Important
%
%
%
Aggregates
54
39
6
Geographic Areas
Nueces
52
41
7
Cameron
62
35
3
Hidalgo
49
42
9
Turnout
Low (N=33)
36
48
15
Medium
49
44
6
High
68
28
4
Target Groups
Republican (N=37) -
65
30
5
Ticket-splitter
51
35
14
Cons. Democrat
47
49
4
Mod/Lib Democrat
60
35
4
Age/Education
-
Under 35/No coll. (N=18)
28
61
11
Under 35/Some coll.
60
36
3
35-54/No college
36
53
11
35-54/Some college
66
29
5
55 & over/No coll. (N=22)
45
45
9
55 & over/Some coll. (N=19)
74
26
0
Sex
Male
53
41
6
Female (N=34)
62
29
9
Occupation
Independent professional
62
33
5
Business ldr./Owner
44
47
9
Key employee
61
35
4
Inflation effect
Hard
59
35
6
Not so hard
47
46
7
For additional information, see pages 3, 27, 52, 72, 96, 160, 183, and 325 of
the cross-tabulations.
39
FIGURE 5
IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNMENT AND
POLITICS IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE
= Strong
% Response
= Moderate
50
= Low
47 %
40
38 %
30
20
15%
10
Importance Of Government
In Everyday Life
40
TABLE III-5
R11. Importance of Gov't/Politics Personally.
(N=46)
Extremely
Very
Not
%
%
%
Aggregates
38
47
15
Geographic Areas
Nueces
47
41
12
Cameron
38
54
8
Hidalgo
28
46
26
Turnout
Low (N=33)
21
55
24
Medium
34
51
14
48
38
14
High
Target Groups
Republican (N=37) -
41
49
11
Ticket-splitter
34
46
20
Cons. Democrat
29
55
16
Mod/Lib Democrat
48
39
14
Age/Education
-
Under 35/No coll. (N=18)
17
50
33
Under 35/Some coll.
43
48
9
35-54/No college
26
54
19
35-54/Some college
46
38
15
55 & over/No coll. (N=22)
36
45
18
55 & over/Some coll. (N=19)
37
63
0
Sex
Male
39
46
15
Female (N=34)
24
56
21
Occupation
Independent professional
48
40
12
25
54
21
Business ldr./Owner
44
44
11
Key employee
Inflation effect
41
47
12
Hard
34
48
18
Not so hard
For additional information, see pages 4, 31, 56, 76, 102, 164, 187, and 329 of the
cross-tabulations.
41
FIGURE 6
LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT MOST
IMPORTANT FOR HISPANIC ACTIVITY
% Response
52 %
50
40
30
28
%
20
12%
10
7
%
Local
Combination
Federal
State
Level of Government
42
TABLE III-6
Question 7:
And when thinking about how government is important in our lives, in which level
of government is it most important for people like yourself to be active -- local,
state, or national?
(N=22)
(N=35)
Local
State
National
Combination
%
%
%
%
Aggregates
52
7
12
28
Geographic Areas
Nueces
54
6
14
25
Cameron
50
6
13
30
Hidalgo
52
10
8
30
Turnout
Low (N=33)
67
3
15
15
Medium
49
11
13
26
High
52
4
9
35
Target Groups
Republican (N=37)
62
3
14
22
Ticket-splitter
42
3
12
40
Cons. Democrat
60
9
9
23
Mod/Lib Democrat
47
10
14
29
Age/Education
Under 35/No coll. (N=18)
72
6
17
6
Under 35/Some coll.
52
14
7
26
35-54/No college
50
13
14
22
35-54/Some college
54
2
12
33
55 & over/No coll. (N=22)
41
0
18
41
55 & over/Some coll. (N=19)
47
11
5
37
Sex
Male
52
6
11
30
Female (N=34)
53
15
15
18
Occupation
Independent professional
51
10
13
26
Business ldr./Owner
54
8
12
27
Key employee
51
5
10
32
Inflation effect
Hard
49
5
12
32
Not so hard
55
10
11
24
For additional information, see pages 3, 28, 53, 73, 97, 161, 184, and 326
of the cross-tabulations.
43
FIGURE 7
CAN HISPANICS AFFECT DECISIONS
IN AUSTIN
= Strong
% Response
= Moderate
54 %
50
44%
40
41
30
31
20
10
13
13
Yes
No
Hispanics Affect Decisions
In Austin
44
TABLE III-7
R16. My ability to change State Government.
(N=8)
Agree
Unsure
Disagree
%
%
%
Aggregates
43
3
54
Geographic Areas
Nueces
51
2
47
Cameron
43
2
55
Hidalgo
36
4
60
Turnout
Low (N=33)
42
3
55
Medium
44
4
52
High
42
1
57
Target Groups
Republican (N=37) -
27
0
73
Ticket-splitter
51
3
46
Cons. Democrat
43
4
53
Mod/Lib Democrat
45
2
53
Age/Education
-
Under 35/No coll. (N=18)
50
0
50
Under 35/Some coll.
34
0
66
35-54/No college
47
7
46
35-54/Some college
43
0
57
55 & over/No coll. (N=22)
45
9
45
55 & over/Some coll. (N=19)
53
5
42
Sex
Male
43
2
55
Female (N=34)
47
6
47
Occupation
Independent professional
45
1
54
Business ldr./Owner
40
3
56
Key employee
45
3
52
Inflation effect
Hard
43
2
55
Not so hard
43
4
53
For additional information, see pages 5, 33, 58, 78, 104, 166, 189, and 331 of the
cross-tabulations.
CHAPTER IV
HISPANIC IDENTIFICATION WITH
TEXAS STATE PARTIES
45
Overview
Voting Behavior. The survey data show that the Hispanic leadership
overwhelmingly claim to vote for the candidate, not the party (86%).
Figure 8 shows how the leadership voted in the 1978 Senatorial election.
The leadership group reported a comparatively even split between the
Republican (Tower, 40%) and Democrat (Krueger, 38%) candidates. Table
8 shows that the Republican Hispanic leadership voted overwhelmingly for
Tower, with ticket-splitters voting more for Tower than Krueger, conser-
vative Democrats voting equally for both, and liberal Democrats voting
overwhelmingly for Krueger.
Party Identification in Texas. Figure 9 shows the Texas party that
Hispanic leaders said stood for the same things they did. Forty-five
percent (45%) choose the Democrats, twenty percent (20%) choose the
Republicans, and thirty-five percent (35%) said neither. Table 9
suggests that Republicans are suffering less defection than Democrats,
especially conservative Democrats.
Democrat Identification. Figure 10 gives the reasons why forty-five
percent (45%) of the Hispanic leadership identified themselves with the
Democratic party. The major theme for identification with Democrats was
the rejection of Republican social policies: too conservative (11%);
big business oriented (10%); no help for minorities (7%). The second
set of themes concerned the traditional Democrat cast of Texas politics
(traditional to be Democrat, 14%). The third major grouping was dis-
agreement with Republican economic policy. Seventeen percent (17%)
had no reason for identifying themselves Democrat. The themes suggest
a "stereotypical" and outdated view of Republicans coming from the last
bastion of the FDR coalition.
Republican Identification. Figure 11 gives the reasons why twenty
percent (20%) of the Hispanic leadership community identify with the
Republican party. As with the Democrats, the major theme is social
policy: Democrats have "giveaway" programs (36%); too liberal (14%);
communistic (5%). In addition, the Democrats suffer from a perception
46
of national ineptitude: Carter weak/inept (15%); crooks in party (7%).
As opposed to their Democrat counterparts, very few Republican respondents
are unable to articulate why they place themselves in the Republican
camp (5%).
Party Evaluation by Independents. Figure 12 shows an evaluation of
political parties by respondents who did not identify with either Repub-
lican or Democrat camps. The data show that a plurality of independents
(39%) think parties are useful to provide a basis for competition and
choice. The second largest combination (23%) also agrees that parties
are useful to provide continuity and organization. However, a large
percentage of the independents (20%) feels that parties are not at all
important. This segment of the Hispanic leadership group (N=21) comprises
seven percent (7%) of the total leadership population.
Goal/Party for Texans in 1980's. Respondents were asked to identify
their goals for Texas during the 1980's and the political party that
they felt would help Texas most towards those goals. Figure 13 shows
that economic/business issues are the main concern of Hispanic leaders,
with social programs second and government reform third.
Figure 14 shows that the Democrats are chosen most often (31%) as the
best party for Texas, followed by the Republicans (22%). Eighteen percent
(18%) say neither, fifteen percent (15%) choose both and thirteen percent
(13%) are unsure. Compared to past voting behavior (Republican 12%,
Democrat 66%) or ideological identification (Republican 20%, Democrat
45%), the indication of party best suited to obtain Texas' goals is
startingly favorable to the Republican side.
Federal Election 1980. Figure 15 shows the present voting intention of
Hispanic leaders on the 1980 Presidential ballot with three candidates
(June 26, 1980):
Reagan
40%
Carter
36%
Anderson
7%
Undecided
17%
47
Table 15 shows that Nueces County goes for Carter, while Cameron and
Hidalgo go to Reagan. Reagan presently takes literally all Republicans
(92%) and a plurality (42%) of ticket-splitters, while also drawing well
among conservative Democrats (35%). Carter takes a majority (58%) of
liberal Democrats and a plurality of conservative Democrats (42%).
48
Question 8:
When you vote in an election, do you usually make your decision based mostly on
the political party to which the candidate belongs, or on the candidate as an
individual?
(N=2)
Party/
(N=17)
(N=3)
Other
(N=19)
Party/Dem.
Party/Rep.
Response
Combined
Candidate
%
%
%
%
%
Aggregates
6
1
1
6
86
Geographic Areas
Nueces
10
1
2
10
76
Cameron
5
0
0
4
90
Hidalgo
2
2
0
5
91
Turnout
Low (N=33)
3
3
0
9
82
Medium
5
1
1
6
88
High
8
1
1
7
83
Target Groups
Republican (N=37) -
0
5
0
3
92
Ticket-splitter
0
0
2
3
94
Cons. Democrat
6
0
0
5
89
Mod/Lib Democrat
11
1
1
11
74
Age/Education
-
Under 35/No coll. (N=18)
0
6
0
0
89
Under 35/Some coll.
3
0
0
3
93
35-54/No college
7
0
0
6
88
35-54/Some college
5
1
1
6
85
55 & over/No coll. (N=22)
0
5
5
18
73
55 & over/Some coll. (N=19)
21
0
0
11
68
Sex
Male
6
1
*
6
85
Female (N=34)
3
0
3
6
88
Occupation
Independent professional
9
1
1
5
84
Business ldr./Owner
6
0
1
7
85
Key employee
3
2
0
7
88
Inflation effect
Hard
5
1
1
5
88
Not so hard
7
1
0
7
84
For additional information, see pages 3, 29, 54, 74, 98 & 99, 162, 185 and 327 of
the cross-tabulations.
49
FIGURE 8
1978 TEXAS SENATE VOTING
BEHAVIOR
% Response
50
40
%
40
38 %
30
20
14 %
10
7 %
Tower
Krueger
Do not
Did not
Recall
Vote
Voting Behavior
50
TABLE IV-8
R18. My Senatorial Vote.
Krueger
Tower
Other
%
%
%
Aggregates
38
40
22
Geographic Areas
Nueces
43
32
25
Cameron
41
42
17
Hidalgo
30
46
24
Turnout
Low (N=33)
24
30
45
Medium
39
41
21
High
42
42
17
Target Groups
Republican (N=37) -
14
68
19
Ticket-splitter
28
38
34
Cons. Democrat
39
38
23
Mod/Lib Democrat
53
32
15
Age/Education
-
Under 35/No coll. (N=18)
22
22
56
Under 35/Some coll.
48
34
17
35-54/No college
32
46
22
36
44
20
35-54/Some college
55 & over/No coll. (N=22)
50
32
18
55 & over/Some coll. (N=19)
42
37
21
Sex
39
41
20
Male
26
35
38
Female (N=34)
Occupation
Independent professional
44
44
12
35
42
23
Business 1dr./Owner
36
34
29
Key employee
Inflation effect
Hard
39
39
22
Not so hard
37
42
21
For additional information, see pages 6, 35, 60, 80, 106, 168, 191, and 333 of the
cross-tabulations.
51
FIGURE 9
WHICH TEXAS PARTY STANDS FOR
THE SAME THINGS YOU DO
% Response
50
45 %
40
35 %
30
20 %
20
10
Democrat
Mixed/Unsure
Republican
Texas Party Identification
52
TABLE IV-9
Question 12:
When thinking about politics and elections in this part of Texas, which party --
(1) the Democratic, or (2) the Republican, do you feel stands for the same kinds
of things which you do?
Unsure/
Democratic
Republican
Mixed
%
%
%
Aggregates
45
20
35
Geographic Areas
Nueces
54
17
29
Cameron
46
15
39
Hidalgo
35
27
38
Turnout
Low (N=33)
39
27
33
Medium
50
18
33
High
40
20
41
Target Groups
Republican (N=37) -
5
76
19
15
17
68
Ticket-splitter
Cons. Democrat
60
13
27
65
7
28
Mod/Lib Democrat
Age/Education
-
Under 35/No coll. (N=18)
33
28
39
Under 35/Some coll.
57
19
24
35-54/No college
49
17
35
35-54/Some college
39
22
39
55 & over/No coll. (N=22)
36
23
41
55 & over/Some coll. (N=19)
53
5
42
Sex
Male
44
20
36
Female (N=34)
53
18
29
Occupation
Independent professional
48
22
30
Business ldr./Owner
46
15
39
Key employee
41
23
35
Inflation effect
Hard
45
18
37
Not so hard
47
21
33
For additional information, see pages 4, 32, 57, 77, 103, 165, 188, and 330 of the
cross-tabulations.
53
FIGURE 10
REASONS WHY HISPANICS IDENTIFY
WITH DEMOCRATS (N=135)
% Response
1. DISAGREE REPUBLICAN SOCIAL POLICY
31
Too Conservative/Selfish (11%)
Big Business Connections (10%)
No Help For Minorities (7%)
Cutting Government Help (3%)
2. DEMOCRAT COUNTRY
18
Traditional Democrat (14%)
Republicans Don't Stand Chance (4%)
3. DISAGREE REPUBLICAN ECONOMIC POLICY
13
Democrats For The Wealthy (8%)
Cut Government Spending (5%)
4. DEMOCRAT PHILOSOPHY
12
Share Views/Stands (7%)
For The People (5%)
5. OTHER
26
Other Mention (9%)
No Answer (17%)
54
TABLE IV-10
SELECTED VERBATIM RESPONSES
Question 13:
And in your own words, what are one or two reasons why you feel that Repub-
licans do not stand for the same kinds of things which you do?
Length of
County
Sex
Ideology
Party
Age
Residence
Cameron
Male
Conservative
Democrat
35-44
1970-79
"Well, everyone down here is a Democrat
up until the last year we really
haven't had a chance to even elect a Republican
you know, they don't
stand a chance, so you just vote for the best Democrat."
Female/
Before 1960/
Cameron
works
Liberal
Refused
55-64
Native
"The Democratic party reaches out to more people regardless of their
economic level
that's the main reason. II
Hidalgo
Male
Liberal
Democrat
35-44
1970-79
"Lack of sensitivity to the average man
I think the only thing they
have an interest in is big corporations and big business
in other words
they're for the rich man instead of the average man. =
Before 1960/
Nueces
Male
Liberal
Democrat
45-54
Native
"Big business
every Republican I know has been controlled by big
business and have deteriorated small businesses and others
created
unemployment big businesses are for control in my mind, big businesses
are controlled by Republicans
Republicans stress unemployment, not
outwardly, but they do
they are for the right-to-work law, also. 11
Before 1960/
Cameron
Male
Liberal
Democrat
35-44
Native
"Well, first of all, Republicans are more conservative
I think Democrats
have more programs for the lower class people
I
just think Republicans
hold back as far as money goes. II
55
Question 13 continued
Length of
County
Sex
Ideology
Party
Age
Residence
Before 1960/
Nueces
Male
Moderate
Democrat
45-54
Native
"I do not think that they fully understand the plight of the less privi-
leged or lower middle class
they have less welfare programs, etc
particularly this year. II
Nueces
Male
Liberal
Democrat
25-34
1970-79
"Social issues health, welfare and education they are cutting down
the ability of the government to help the people
just look at Ronald
Reagan.
II
56
FIGURE 11
REASONS WHY HISPANICS IDENTIFY
WITH REPUBLICANS (N=60)
% Response
1. DISAGREE DEMOCRAT SOCIAL POLICY
55
Giveaway Programs/Welfare (36%)
Too Liberal (14%)
Communistic (5%)
2. DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP POOR
22
Carter Weak/Inept (15%)
Crooks In Party (7%)
3. REPUBLICAN PHILOSOPHY
8
4. DISAGREE DEMOCRAT ECONOMICAL POLICY
3
5. OTHER
12
Other Mention (7%)
No Answer (5%)
57
TABLE IV-11
SELECTED VERBATIM RESPONSES
Question 14:
And in your own words, what are one or two reasons why you feel that
Democrats do not stand for the same kinds of things which you do?
Length of
County
Sex
Ideology
Party
Age
Residence
Before 1960/
Nueces
Male
Moderate
Democrat
Age
Native
"I think they spend too much money they don't have much budget control
it seems like they're always finding ways of spending money, instead of
the other way around."
Before 1960/
Nueces
Male
Conservative
Republican
45-54
Native
"They're always for 'give away' they say they understand the poor, yet
they live in high society how can they do this? they are 'quiet
racists' =
Female/
Nueces
works
Conservative
Democrat
35-44
1970-79
"Democrats give too much money away to everyone
they are spoiling every-
one with the money that taxpayers have to pay.
Cameron
Male
Conservative
Republican
45-54
1970-79
"They're trying to have equal everything and everyone in the same class
it doesn't work, you can't get away from capitalism."
Before 1960/
Hidalgo
Male
Liberal
Republican
25-34
Native
"Because they are more liberal as I said, Democrats are more expensive
because they go from program to program they are also for more jobs."
58
FIGURE 12
EVALUATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES BY
HISPANICS NOT IDENTIFIED AS
REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT (N=105)
% Response
1. COMPETITION IDEAS/ISSUES
39
Encourages Competition/Choice (18%)
Platforms/Issues (8%)
Different Views (8%)
Check & Balance (5%)
2. ORGANIZES GOVERNMENT
23
Run Government (8%)
Organization (3%)
Unite (7%)
Policy Direction -- Economics (5%)
3. PARTY NOT IMPORTANT
20
Party Not Important/Relevant (10%)
Individual Is Important (10%)
4. OTHER
18
Other Mentioned (8%)
No Answer (10%)
59
TABLE IV-12
SELECTED VERBATIM RESPONSES
Question 15:
And in your own words, what are one or two reasons why you feel political
parties are important in state and local government and politics?
Length of
County
Sex
Ideology
Party
Age
Residence
Female/
Before 1960/
Nueces
works
Liberal
Democrat
35-44
Native
"Because we have to have competition
with one there is no need to improve
we'd get stagnated. II
Before 1960/
Hidalgo
Male
Conservative
Democrat
45-54
Native
"Because of competition
just like business, if you don't mix it up a
little then eventually there will be a monopoly on it so I think you
have to have competition
the best man for the job in other words. II
Hidalgo
Male
Moderate
Democrat
25-34
1970-79
"Because they get people involved well, also because they have the
financial backing to support the different candidates. 11
Before 1960/
Hidalgo
Male
Moderate
Refused
25-34
Native
"I don't feel that parties are important at all
they are all just a
bunch of bureaucrats and they slow things up."
Cameron
Male
Conservative
Democrat
35-44
1970-79
"The people need to stick together in a group so that they believe in the
same things and their beliefs become stronger if they are united."
Nueces
Male
Liberal
Independent
45-54
1960-69
"I feel that Texas should have two strong political parties
we may have
people in one party that have been in a long time and the other party can
check up on that party
we should have a fluctuation of candidates."
60
Question 15 continued
Length of
County
Sex
Ideology
Party
Age
Residence
Before 1960/
Cameron
Male
Conservative
Republican 35-44
Native
"They set down a basic philosophy and which most candidates follow it
gives some people a basic idea of a candidate's views."
61
FIGURE 13
HISPANIC DIRECTION OF TEXAS STATE
GOALS IN 1980's (N=300)
% Response
1.
ECONOMIC/BUSINESS
34
Economy/Inflation (15%)
More Industry (7%)
Keep Texas Resources (5%)
Texas Energy Program (4%)
Power For Texas (3%)
2. SOCIAL PROGRAMS/SECURITY
22
Jobs/Full Employment (9%)
Education Improvement (6%)
Alien Problem/Relations With Mexico (7%)
3. GOVERNMENT REFORM
16
Government Waste (7%)
Welfare Waste (3%)
Tax Cuts (5%)
Two-Party System (1%)
4. OTHER
28
Other Mentioned (6%)
No Answer (22%)
62
TABLE IV-13
SELECTED VERBATIM RESPONSES
Question 19:
In your own words, if you could direct the state of Texas toward an important
goal or objective in the 1980's, what would that goal be?
Length of
County
Sex
Ideology
Party
Age
Residence
Before 1960/
Hidalgo
Male
Liberal
Republican
25-34
Native
"Strong economy high employment well, like I said earlier, in order to
have a strong economy we should have high employment to achieve that."
Nueces
Male
Conservative
Democrat
45-54
1960-69
"Do away with a lot of freebies a lot of money being spent on people who
don't need it welfare being abused by wrong people appropriate money
in a better way."
Before 1960/
Hidalgo
Male
Conservative
Republican
45-54
Native
"I would make everyone work for a living
everyone
wants
benefits
for
free I would help unemployment there's jobs for these people, they
just don't want them."
Before 1960/
Cameron
Male
Moderate
Democrat
35-44
Native
"To change the property tax laws it's regarding company operations state
tax
they should tax on the income earned they won't do this though
because the government won't vote for something that works against them
it's not fair that we get all of the tax."
Before 1960/
Hidalgo
Male
Liberal
Democrat
35-44
Native
"I would say the education system I would go back to the basics and have
more opportunities for minorities and implement a bilingual program.'
Female/
Before 1960/
Nueces
works
Conservative
Democrat
45-54
Native
"Give the states back to the states take away some of the money from
national programs and give it to state programs."
63
Question 19 continued
Length of
County
Sex
Ideology
Party
Age
Residence
Before 1960/
Hidalgo
Male
Conservative
Democrat
45-54
Native
"I think the people that work fifty or sixty hours a week (in labor) should
have less deducted rather than more this would give people a little more
incentive to work more some just work the forty hours so the government
can't take more money from them."
Before 1960/
Hidalgo
Male
Conservative
Independent
35-44
Native
"Well, get the fed's off my back and let me sell petroleum to other states
well, let me give you an example we (the people in Texas) are having
to pay more for our own natural gas than the eastern states have to pay
to get our gas."
Before 1960/
Cameron
Male
Moderate
Democrat
35-44
Native
"That's a sweeping question I guess better job opportunities and
economic prosperity
particularly in middle or light industries
the
job opportunities should be increased. 11
Before 1960/
Cameron
Male
Conservative
Republican
45-54
Native
"Better relations with the Mexican people who are our neighbors and who
could help us as we could help them."
Nueces
Male
Conservative
Republican
35-44
1960-69
"Primarily I'd put taxes as the number one thing we need to become self-
sufficient by not increasing taxes or the number of programs we have to
make do with what we have we shouldn't overtax because that will drive
out the businesses."
Female/
Before 1960/
Nueces
works
Liberal
Democrat
25-34
Native
"We need to become more progressive well, first of all we have a problem
with illegal aliens, but some have been here many years and have helped
to make our community progressive we need to change some laws to help
them become citizens."
64
Question 19 continued
Length of
County
Sex
Ideology
Party
Age
Residence
Female/
Before 1960/
Cameron
home
Conservative
Democrat
35-44
Native
"Go back to the Bible
seek God's wisdom and direction in helping make
decisions of who to put in political office."
Before 1960/
Nueces
Male
Conservative
Democrat
25-34
Native
"To gear the state toward a better understanding
to cut down on the high
taxes and make a better way of living for everyone
paying bills is getting
harder and harder, the high taxes are really affecting the poor people."
65
FIGURE 14
TEXAS POLITICAL PARTY BEST ABLE TO
HELP ATTAIN YOUR GOAL
% Response
31%
30
22%
20
18%
15%
13%
10
Democrat
Republican
Neither
Both
Unsure/
Present
Parties
Don't
Party
Know
Party to Attain Goal
66
TABLE IV-14
Question 20:
And which political party do you feel can best help to attain that goal or objective?
(Asked of those respondents that mentioned Goal/Objective in Question 19.)
(N=43)
(N=36)
Democratic
Republican
Neither
Both
%
%
%
%
Aggregates
31
22
18
15
Geographic Areas
Nueces
42
18
19
10
Cameron
35
19
19
19
Hidalgo
17
29
17
17
Turnout
Low (N=27)
37
22
19
7
Medium
32
23
19
13
High
29
20
17
21
Target Groups
Republican (N=37)
3
56
16
13
Ticket-splitter (N=47)
4
26
34
26
Cons. Democrat
49
13
11
14
Mod/Lib Democrat
41
15
17
12
Age/Education
Under 35/No coll. (N=15)
27
20
27
7
Under 35/Some coll.
27
27
23
13
35-54/No college
36
22
14
16
35-54/Some college
25
22
18
18
55 & over/No coll. (N=10)
70
10
0
10
55 & over/Some coll. (N=15)
47
13
20
13
Sex
Male
31
22
18
17
Female (N=28)
32
21
21
4
Occupation
Independent professional
33
24
19
10
Business ldr./Owner
33
20
19
15
Key employee
27
22
18
21
Inflation effect
Hard
31
19
18
17
Not so hard
31
23
19
14
For additional information, see pages 7, 36, 61, 81, 107, 169, 192, and 334 of the
cross-tabulations.
67
FIGURE 15
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BALLOT
% Response
50
40%
40
36 %
30
20
17%
10
7%
Reagan
Carter
Anderson
Presently
Undecided
Presidential Candidate Choice
68
TABLE IV-15
R21. Presidential Ballot.
(N=21)
Anderson
Reagan
Carter
Undecided
%
%
%
%
Aggregates
7
39
36
17
Geographic Areas
Nueces
6
27
56
11
Cameron
8
46
30
16
Hidalgo
7
45
23
25
Turnout
Low (N=33)
0
39
36
24
Medium
6
39
38
18
High
10
40
35
15
Target Groups
Republican (N=37) -
0
92
0
8
Ticket-splitter
5
42
15
38
Cons. Democrat
8
35
42
15
Mod/Lib Democrat
10
22
58
9
Age/Education
-
Under 35/No coll. (N=18)
0
39
28
33
Under 35/Some coll.
14
36
33
17
35-54/No college
0
36
49
15
35-54/Some college
10
42
31
17
55 & over/No coll. (N=22)
5
55
27
14
55 & over/Some coll. (N=19)
5
26
53
16
Sex
/
Male
8
41
34
18
Female (N=34)
3
26
56
15
Occupation
Independent professional
7
40
45
7
Business ldr./Owner
8
40
31
22
Key employee
6
38
35
20
Inflation effect
Hard
7
38
36
19
Not so hard
7
39
38
16
For additional information, see pages 7, 37, 62, 82, 109, 170, 193, and 335 of the
cross-tabulations.