The Clinton campaign’s latest effort to reach out to Hispanic voters has struck many Twitter users as pandering and insincere.
A post on the Democratic front-runner’s campaign website titled “7 things Hillary Clinton has in common with your abuela” — the Spanish word for grandmother — has inspired a #NotMyAbuela hashtag from those who don’t see the similarities.
Citing ways Clinton, who recently learned her second grandchild is on the way, “is just like your grandmother,” the post includes a GIF showing how Clinton handles those who “le faltan el respeto,” or “disrespect her”:
And an image of her with Marc Anthony captioned, “Everybody loves abuela—even this guy”; and another GIF saying Clinton has one word for Donald Trump: “’¡Basta!’ Enough.”
In all, the post includes about a half dozen Spanish words.
Some were offended because Clinton had not endured the same hardships as their grandmothers:
- "my abuela was a long-suffering, low-wage agricultural worker&mother of 9 who was never afforded your privileges, @HillaryClinton #NotMyAbuela," tweeted @phoebeyonce.
- "My abuelas were strong women & how dare you try to emulate a strength & struggle you will never understand #NotMyAbuela" wrote @millennialmummy.
- @ErikaAndiola tweeted: "#NotMyAbuela. Mine fought poverty for her 11 children & couldn't see half of them before she passed away because of a border."
Other tweeters accused Clinton of “Hispandering” for votes:
- @Glass_Canon wrote: "Maybe try discussing our issues, not pandering and patronizing in order to get our votes. #NotMyAbuela @HillaryClinton"
- "Latinos aren't one size fits all. It takes more than a few Spanish words & cute pictures to get the Latino vote. #hillaryabuela #NotMyAbuela" wrote @VanessaOden.
So, this one might have backfired, but it’s doubtful many Latino voters will be driven away by the post — particularly if Trump is her opponent next November.
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