Tonight's GOP Debate Will Be About The Economy, A Top Concern For Latinos

CNBC Is Hosting October 28 GOP Debate Focused On The Economy. CNBC will host the third Republican presidential debate October 28 and will focus on “key issues that matter to all voters--job growth, taxes, technology, retirement and the health of our national economy”:

NBC, First in Business Worldwide, today announced coverage plans for “The Republican Presidential Debate: Your Money, Your Vote” on Wednesday, October 28. Moderated by CNBC's Carl Quintanilla, co-anchor of “Squawk on the Street” and “Squawk Alley,” Becky Quick, co-anchor of “Squawk Box” and Chief Washington Correspondent John Harwood, the RNC sanctioned debate will be held at the Coors Events Center at the University of Colorado Boulder and broadcast live on CNBC.

As previously announced, the event will be divided into two parts with two groups of candidates debating the key issues that matter to all voters--job growth, taxes, technology, retirement and the health of our national economy. One grouping will include candidates with an average of three percent in a specified group of national polls. Those 10 candidates will take the stage shortly after 8PM ET for a two-hour debate. The other grouping will include candidates who meet the minimum threshold of one percent in any one of the specified group of national polls. Those four candidates will take the stage at 6PM ET. The full criteria may be found here. During the debate, moderators Carl Quintanilla, Becky Quick and John Harwood will be joined by a panel of CNBC experts including On-Air Editor Rick Santelli, Senior Personal Finance Correspondent Sharon Epperson and Jim Cramer, host of “Mad Money w/Jim Cramer,” who will also question the candidates on major policy issues. [CNBC, 10/22/15]

Univision Poll: Jobs And The Economy “The Most Important” Issue For Latinos In Deciding Vote In 2016 Presidential Election. According to a national survey of Latinos conducted in June 2015 for Univision, 36 percent of Latinos indicated that jobs and the economy are “the most important” issues in deciding their vote in the 2016 presidential election:

[Univision, August 2015]

Media Explain Why Economic Issues And This Debate Will Be Crucial In The Battle For The Latino Vote

CNNMoney: The Economy Is One Of The Top Concerns Of The Latino Community. CNNMoney's Patrick Gillespie explained May 19 that the economy is one of “the top concerns of Latino voters,” and “it's clear why economics matters: Latinos lost the most wealth during the recession of any race in America. They work many low-wage jobs, yet they are also becoming an engine of small business growth in the U.S.”:

Over 11 million Latinos voted in the last presidential election. Their numbers have only grown since, especially in key battleground states such as Colorado, Florida, Virginia and Arizona. Just last week, Hillary Clinton hired a spokesperson specifically to handle Hispanic issues.

Immigration remains a litmus test issue, but the top concerns of Latino voters are the economy and education, according to Pew Research Center.

It's clear why economics matters: Latinos lost the most wealth during the recession of any race in America. They work many low-wage jobs, yet they are also becoming an engine of small business growth in the U.S. The majority of Hispanic workers are now U.S.-born citizens, not immigrants crossing the border.

The policies presidential candidates take toward the Latino economy could hold huge weight over who becomes the next Commander-in-Chief. President Obama won 71% of the Latino vote in 2012, helping him defeat Mitt Romney. [CNNMoney, 5/19/15]

MSNBC's Maria Teresa Kumar: CNBC's GOP Debate Is A “Perfect Stage” To Talk “About The Issues That People Of Color Care About” Like The Economy. On the October 27 edition of MSNBC Shift's Changing America, host Maria Teresa Kumar emphasized how CNBC's debate is an opportunity for GOP candidates to “change the tone” and talk about “the issues that people of color care about,” like the economy:

MARIA TERESA KUMAR: If we were to elect a president today, none of the GOP candidates would win. Why? Simple. They just don't have enough backing from Latinos. A study from Latino Decisions says in order for a Republican candidate to make it to the White House he or she would need to get close to 50 percent of the Latino vote. That presents a huge challenge for the GOP. This week Republicans will hold another debate. This time in Boulder, Colorado, a state with around 5.3 million people, 21 percent of them which are Hispanic. This is the perfect stage to change the tone of the conversation and start talking about the issues that people of color care about.

[...]

Americans are looking for real solutions to the problems that affect them: the economy, the education, health care, wages, high cost of living. Americans are of all hues: Blacks, Asians, whites, and yes, Latinos too. And we are watching and paying attention. [MSNBC.com, 10/27/15]

Colorado Public Radio's Michael de Yoanna: For Latino Voters, “The Economy -- That's The Mantra” About Which “Issue Is Most Important To Them This Election.” Colorado Public Radio's (CPR) Megan Verlee and Michael de Yoanna explained October 26 that the economy is the most important issue for Latino voters, with de Yoanna noting that “They're concerned about the quality of jobs that are available -- and say opportunities, including those at the professional level, are hard to come by”:

RYAN WARNER: CPR News has been talking with the Latino voters, some of whom will watch the debate with us -- what issue is most important to them this election?

MICHAEL DE YOANNA: The economy -- that's the mantra. [...] I heard in my conversations over and over with conservative-learning Latinos. They're concerned about the quality of jobs that are available -- and say opportunities, including those at the professional level, are hard to come by. I spoke with Johnny Franco of Denver. who works as an airline attendant:

“You know, all of our jobs are being shipped to Asia and to China, and that's really a big deal. I think that we should be worried about that and I don't know that the Democratic candidates would have that on a high priority,” Franco said. [Colorado Public Radio, 10/26/15]