Although they hold very similar positions on the issue of immigration, the contrast in the coverage Sen. Marco Rubio and former Gov. Jeb Bush have received so far on Univision is like the difference between night and day.
When it comes to immigration, from the get-go Rubio has been depicted to Univision viewers as the bad guy. Rubio’s initial interview as a presidential candidate on the subject with anchor Jorge Ramos was presented to the audience with the fear-mongering headline, “Rubio says that if he becomes President, at some point, he would eliminate DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).
MARÍA ELENA SALINAS: in an interview with Univision, Marco Rubio says if he achieves the presidency at some point, he would eliminate DACA
Rubio actually explained in the interview that he favors ending the temporary DACA program as part of a permanent, legislative fix to federal immigration law. As Rubio pointed out, those who favor DACA also understand it is not a permanent solution to their problem. “It can’t be the permanent policy of the United States, and I don’t think that’s what they’re asking either. I think everyone prefers immigration reform,” Rubio told Ramos.
A few weeks later, however, Bush received favorable coverage from Univision, while taking essentially the same position as Rubio on the matter. On this occasion, Univision anchor Félix De Bedut actually touted an erroneous headline at the top of the newscast, saying “In contrast to other Republican candidates, Jeb Bush says he will not revoke migratory reliefs granted by President Obama.”
FELIX DE BEDUT: In contrast to other Republican candidates, Jeb Bush says he will not revoke migratory reliefs granted by President Obama.
In reality, like Rubio, Bush said his plan is to revoke Obama’s executive actions on immigration as part of a permanent, legislative fix to federal immigration law. That this is Bush’s position is made clear in the story on the subject by Univision’s Pablo Gato, who reports “Bush says he’s open to temporarily maintaining President Obama’s executive actions on immigration, but on the condition that it is a part of comprehensive immigration reform.”
As part of Gato’s report, Bush’s views were also given a thumbs up by National Council of La Raza Vice President Clarissa Martínez, who said “it serves at least to open the door a little bit, or not close the door, with Latino voters” along with Republican analyst Carlos Mercader who, clearly taking sides with Bush, celebrated the former Florida Governor as “the candidate who most relates to the Hispanic community, who knows it better and communicates with it better.”
Univision is apparently doing its part to facilitate that last point.
Relevant portions of the referenced Noticiero Univisión segments are below.
English Translation:
April 15, 2015
MARÍA ELENA SALINAS: in an interview with Univision, Marco Rubio says if he achieves the presidency at some point, he would eliminate DACA and cut diplomatic relations with Cuba.
...
SEN. RUBIO: DACA, I believe is important. It can’t be terminated from one moment to the next, because there are already people benefiting from it. But yes, it is going to have to end. It can’t be the permanent policy of the United States, and I don’t think that’s what they’re asking either. I think everyone prefers immigration reform
JORGE RAMOS: But then, to clarify, you would put an end to DACA once immigration reform is approved, but what would happen Senator if there is no immigration reform, would you cancel DACA anyway?
SEN. RUBIO: Well, at some point it is going to have to end, that is to say, it can’t continue being the permanent policy of the United States. I believe, if I become President, it is going to be possible to achieve immigration reform.
May 12, 2015
FELIX DE BEDUT: In contrast to other Republican candidates, Jeb Bush says he will not revoke migratory reliefs granted by President Obama.
…
PABLO GATO: Bush says he’s open to temporarily maintaining President Obama’s executive actions on immigration, but on the condition that it is a part of comprehensive immigration reform.
15 de abril de 2015
MARÍA ELENA SALINAS: en entrevista con Univisión, Marco Rubio dice que si llegara a la presidencia en algún momento, eliminaría DACA y cortaría relaciones con Cuba.
…
SEN. RUBIO: DACA, yo creo que es importante, no se puede terminar de un momento a otro porque ya hay personas que se están beneficiando, pero sí se va a tener que terminar. No puede ser la política permanente de Estados Unidos y no creo que es lo que están pidiendo tampoco. Yo creo que todos prefieren una reforma migratoria.
JORGE RAMOS: ¿Pero entonces, para aclarar, usted terminaría con DACA una vez que sea aprobada la reforma migratoria, pero qué pasa senador si no hay reforma migratoria, cancelaría DACA de todas formas?
SEN. MARCO RUBIO: Bueno, en un momento determinado se va a tener que terminar, es decir, no puede seguir siendo la política permanente de Estados Unidos. Yo sí creo que si salgo presidente va a ser posible lograr una reforma migratoria.
12 de mayo de 2015
FELIX DE BEDUT: A diferencia de otros precandidatos republicanos, Jeff Bush dice que no revocaría los alivios migratorios concedidos por el presidente Barack Obama.
PABLO GATO: Jeb Bush dice estar abierto a mantener temporalmente la acción ejecutiva del presidente Obama en materia migratoria, pero con una condición: que sea parte de una reforma migratoria integral.
