Latinos voted more than 2-to-1 for Barack Obama, basically providing him his margin of victory. Young people, who care the most about global warming, did the same. Solidifying the long-term voting patterns of these two groups could ensure a "center/left" political realignment in the near future.
The good news is that we have a chance to solidify the Latino vote connection with his appointments, and do so in a way that also solidifies the attraction of the new administration to young people, based on the key environmental issues that they care about strongly.
The President-Elect has the chance to appoint Raul Grijalva & Hilda Solis to key environmental posts, two talented, experienced House members with strong "green" credentials, both of whom hail from the West, and both Hispanic--a strong statement to the Latino community, especially on top of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's expected appointment to the Commerce Department!
Rep. Raul Grijalva is a strong advocate for our public lands, and would make an outstanding Secretary of the Interior.
Rep. Hilda Solis has long been a leader in the fight for "environmental justice", and would make an excellent EPA head.
And both are among the most progressive members of Congress. Si, se puede!
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