This book examines the success of national Latino efforts to transcend "fiesta" politics, that is, barrio festivals near election time, and to become key constituencies capable of influencing the platforms and campaign strategies of both parties.

Preface -- National Overviews -- Latino Influence on National Elections: The Case of 1988 -- Republican and Democratic Mass Communication Strategies: Targeting the Latino Vote -- The Old Reliables: Mexican Americans in Small Western States -- Hispanos and the 1988 General Election in New Mexico -- Cohesion Mobilization and Latino Political Influence: Colorado in 1988 -- Latinos and the 1988 Elections: Arizona -- The Must Wins: Key States with Large Long-term Latino Electorates -- Texas Mexicans in the 1988 Election -- Conditions Not Met: California Elections and the Latino Community -- The New Kids on the Block: Key States with New and Potentially Influential Latino Electorates -- Prototype from the Midwest: Latinos in Illinois -- The Conservative Enclave: Cubans in Florida -- Puerto Ricans and the 1988 Election in New York City -- Conclusion -- From Rhetoric to Reality: Latinos and the 1988 Election in Review