WASHINGTON — The ethnic roots of Alberto R. Gonzales will be on full display today as the Senate takes up his nomination to be the first Latino attorney general.
A Democratic Latino senator will introduce Gonzalez before the Senate Judiciary Committee, while the Republican National Committee distributes statements of support from various Latino groups and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
The focus on his ethnic heritage has helped to undercut opposition to the nominee among civil rights groups and Democrats concerned about his role quarterbacking administration legal positions on torture and the treatment of military detainees and terrorists.
"It is a stroke of genius on the part of President Bush," said Nativo Vigil Lopez, president of the Mexican American Political Assn., one of the Latino groups opposing Gonzales. "There is no doubt in my mind that the ethnic card is being played here, and actually to the detriment, in my mind, of the Latino community."
Latinos are more conflicted about the nominee than his political backers have suggested. Some groups are opposing the nomination or withholding judgment, saying that, despite the historic significance of his nomination, they have profound concerns about Gonzales' record.
"The knee-jerk record is to applaud such high-level appointments," said Lopez. "But he is not one of ours if he truly does not believe in respecting the rule of law."
On Wednesday, the Republican National Committee published a list of Gonzales testimonials, including eight from a variety of Latino groups and some from members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
The Republican effort to accentuate Gonzales' ethnicity came a day after complaints from Senate Democrats that the White House was refusing to turn over documents that shed light on Gonzales' record on torture and other issues as White House counsel.
An RNC spokesman, Danny Diaz, said it was concerned that Democrats were "playing politics" with the nomination. "There is broad support for Judge Gonzales," he said.
Indeed, there is no evidence to date that any Democrats on the Judiciary Committee are willing to oppose confirmation of a member of the fastest-growing minority group in the nation.
At today's hearing, Gonzales will be formally introduced to the committee by two senators, including one of the Senate's two new Latino members, Democrat Ken Salazar of Colorado.
