but there is a problem with the right wingers in Congress, they'll block most bills put forward. The anti-embargo advocates don't have much strength by comparison.

There's a new congressman from Miami-Dade who is a Democrat, first Cuban American Democrat from Florida, and he advocates more reasonable travel rules at least. However, Ted Cruz was elected in Texas and he is a wingnut! It's just logical to end the Embargo though since we need the business that is otherwise quickly going to Brazil, China etc.

to have a shot at lifting some more of the restrictions against Cuba. The President has pretty much down as much as he could in terms of Executive Orders, since the embargo and the ban on tourism to Cuba have been codified into federal law.

License. I read a defense of this idea somewhere and can post it if I find it again. Essentially it's for non-tourist travel but you can go without a group and stay in Casa Particulares rather than hotels. Ironically, the people to people trips are limited to hotels and time is controlled by itinerary so it's difficult to really be out there meeting average Cubans. The funny thing is that organizations and travel agencies running those tours are making a lot of money, so again less motivation to push for change.

he can take a close look at the law and see what's the most he can do to expand ties with Cuba. Hell, he's visiting Myanmar next week, how about a little hop to Havana?

supposedly. Cuba is right on this in my opinion. A few days ago Gross' wife stated he was working for the US government, the US has to take responsibility for attempting to destabilize the country and let go of the "spies" that were caught only because Cuba wanted to give a heads up to the USA about extremists plans.

The USA continues in its arrogance on that issue, but Cuba will probably cut some kind of deal.

Congress is still majority right wing Cuban American influenced on these matters, but there is an economic incentive in opening trade with Cuba.

Obama won most precincts, some by as many as 20%-25%. Even in Hialeah, which is about 75% Cuban-American, he picked off a bunch of precincts and narrowed Romney's margins substantially compared to McCains. The GOP is in deep doo-doo down here in Florida.

as well as demographics. The younger Cuban Americans know that it's time for change and that the usual representatives make their community look extremist and ridiculous. The Cubans from the island are Democrats, they recognize garbage rhetoric and racism and want to be able to see their families. They are less invested in the game of making money off the embargo than older generations.

Let me tell you, every Cuban i know down here, save for one of my cousin's, voted for Obama. They don't just agree with him on lifting the travel restrictions to Cuba, they agree with him on economic and social issues as well. The same is true with most other Hispanics, immigration isn't the only reason why they vote Democratic, its because they know the Dems are good for them economically.

for Obama. In fact there were very popular graphics like this going around:

Just off Kendall Drive. A long term tenant recently moved out and I've been fixing the place up for re-rental. In talking to the neighbors prior to the election I was stunned how many were voting for Obama. There were pro-Obama bumper stickers and VOTA OBAMA written on vans. In past years I was worried about having a Democratic sticker on my car while in the Cuban areas of South Florida.

It's hard to know exactly what it is but they seem to have collectively realized it now, or if it's mostly demographics. Maybe we should credit the Democrats in the area for a job well done!

Those seem to be the magic words these days as far as the GOP is concerned. marco rubio is just gonna fix EVERYTHING!!!!! Well, maybe not...

It wrecks Rubio's chances, he's already let it out of the bag that he is a right wing crazy, though watch him begin his flip flopping.. Also, his buddy Rep. David Rivera who he owns a house with in Sacramento, just lost, and has 11 ethics etc. counts against him due to dirty shenanigans, I think the gop will have to look elsewhere!

The next step is to shut down the obligatory rw worship-fest that occurs at Versailles restaurant every time a politico needs to pander and genuflect to the Batista-istas.

We can do this by showing up.

NOT

predict that Obama would be well there. She pointed out that young Cubans were leaning heavily democratic and didn't share the views of their parents and grandparents.

in that area, they did something right! That plus demographics.

Twenty years ago, the hard-liners would have probably fire-bombed the place. Things have certainly changed down here.

I think even more recently that would have been pushing it - Joe Garcia lost to David Rivera last time, 2009 had the right wingers protesting Cuban musicians arriving back for the first time since the Bush era, it seems like the last few years have really changed the area.