Democratic strategist Jimmy Williams said he doubts "very seriously many Latinos are actually paying attention to what's happening" on the floor of the U.S. Senate Thursday on "Martin Bashir":
JIMMY WILLIAMS: I left the Republican Party, because I felt like an outsider as a gay man. Imagine if you are a Latino in this country today, and you see what's happening. I mean, I doubt very seriously many Latinos are actually paying attention to what's happening on the Senate floor, but for those who are, they're probably looking at this going, "Oh my God, they don't want me." If you're a woman, what's happening with Trent Franks in the House? If you are, I don't know, let's say a black American and you think back about what happened on Nov. 7 with these crazy voting restrictions. Listen, the Republican Party knows what the problem with itself is. The question becomes, and Ron can address this, will they step up to the plate? Here's a great example of that, immigration reform, and actually do something to fix the problem. I don't think their base will let them, but again, I don't know the answer to that, that's the problem.
Contrary to Williams' assertion, a June 6 America's Voice/Latino Decisions poll revealed Latinos are in fact paying very close attention to the current immigration debate.
According to the poll, 80 percent of respondents have heard or read something about immigration reform, while a majority see the issue as the most important legislation facing Congress and the president.