The Spanish Debates

In a dramatic sign of the fast-changing US society, the US Democratic presidential hopefuls late Sunday held a debate in Spanish that was broadcast on the main US Spanish-language television network.

Seven presidential candidates were at the historic event, including the three front runners, New York Senator Hillary Clinton, Illinois Senator Barack Obama and former South Carolina Senator John Edwards. Senator Joe Biden, who just returned from Iraq, was absent.

Moderators from the Univision network asked questions in Spanish and the candidates, wearing earpieces, heard a translation in English. The answers were given in English and translated into Spanish for viewers.

[...]

Univision planned to sponsor a similar debate among Republicans next week, but cancelled after only one contender, Republican Senator John McCain, agreed to participate.

  Raw Story

I saw this on a Houston channel here in Galveston, but my Spanish is not nearly adequate to permit me to follow, other than being able to read the topics printed on screen at each question.

Some in Florida opposed the Spanish-language event. "This is a very, very bad precedent," said David Caulkett, vice president of Floridians for Immigration Enforcement.

"It's already difficult to keep track of politicians in English," he said, adding that English "is the official language of Florida and the de facto language of our country."

It's difficult to keep track of politicians in any language David. And, ahem. The candidates were speaking English. They wouldn't let Richardson speak Spanish, even when he wanted to.

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.