#NotMyAbuela: Hillary Clinton 'Hispandering' Backfires on Twitter
Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton’s latest attempt to reach out to Latinos on social media backfired.
Coinciding with daughter Chelsea Clinton's latest pregnancy announcement, Clinton's campaign posted "7 Things Hillary Clinton Has in Common With Your Abuela" -- using the Spanish word for "grandmother."
Posted by Clinton campaign staffer Paola Luisi, the article lists ways in which Clinton is similar to Hispanic grandmothers. Apparent similarities included worrying for her children, reading to kids before bedtime, bravely talking about ongoing disrespect, and posing in pictures next to singer Marc Anthony.
The post was meant to show how Clinton is relatable to Latino families. However, many have found it to be "Hispandering," or pandering to Hispanics.
On Tuesday evening and through the night, Latinos, as well as Clinton's opponents, criticized the post with the Twitter hashtag "#NotMyAbuela."
THIS LIST THO. It's like the algorithm is: Spanglish + talk about "respeto" + Hillary gif + Marc Anthony = Latino Vote
— Gabe Gonzalez (@gaybonez) December 22, 2015
#NotMyAbuela proves two things: 1. Never politicize our abuelas 2. Latina/o twitter is a giant beast ready to unleash chanclasos #RazaTweets — Jeronimo Saldaña (@JeronimoSaldana) December 23, 2015
HRC is like my abuela? lol no #notmyabuela pic.twitter.com/ryit92LTjR
— jasdye (@jasdye) December 22, 2015
My Abuelas are not political props @HillaryClinton #NotMyAbuela — Andrew Baldizon (@andrewbaldizon) December 22, 2015
.@HillaryClinton do you even know what this is? #NotMyAbuela pic.twitter.com/Z2qGfXGGWm
— Eliel Cruz (@elielcruz) December 22, 2015
Hillary is #NotMyAbuela BUT, she is the most qualified candidate. Think about the republican candidates, who only want you to not see abuela — Yarissss (@yaris_x3) December 23, 2015
Hilary your nothing like MY Abuelas left to die in #PuertoRico because they lacked basic healthcare . Your #NotMyAbuela
— R.Camacho (@Robdigg1) December 23, 2015
My abuelita raised 9 children and supported me in moving to the US to better myself even though we'd be apart.@HillaryClinton #NotMyAbuela — Alejandra Ochoa (@ale8ahowyoudoin) December 23, 2015
Campaign staffers from Clinton's Democratic rivals also chimed in.
From the Bernie Sanders campaign, Erika Andiola, an undocumented immigrant who serves as the campaign's national Latino press secretary, wrote, "Mine fought poverty for her 11 children & couldn't see half of them before she passed away because of a border."
#NotMyAbuela. Mine fought poverty for her 11 children & couldn't see half of them before she passed away because of a border.
— Erika Andiola (@ErikaAndiola) December 23, 2015
From Martin O'Malley's campaign, Gabriela Domenzain, who serves as the candidate's public engagement director, shared a photo of her grandmother.
Mine is consistent and progressive. #NotMyAbuela pic.twitter.com/TxdcgJPVLs — Gabriela Domenzain (@GabiDomenzain) December 23, 2015
Clinton has received the endorsements of top Latino leaders, such as House Reps. Linda Sanchez, Xavier Becerra, Luis Gutierrez and Tony Cardenas. However, she has also been questioned on her immigration stance, notably on immigrant detention policies, providing undocumented immigrants with driver's licenses and immigrants' access to Affordable Care Act benefits.
Must Read: Clinton Admits 'Poor Choice of Words' After Saying 'Illegal' Immigrant at Campaign Stop
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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.
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