U.S. English, Inc. Chairman Criticizes Spanish Language Presidential Debates

Statement by Mauro E. Mujica

U.S. English, Inc. Chairman Mauro E. Mujica today blasted Univision's plans to conduct presidential debates in Spanish next month. The debates, scheduled for Sept. 9th and 16th, 2007 in Miami, will feature questions and answers in Spanish. Translations in English will be provided for candidates who do not speak Spanish.

"In a land of many languages, but united by English, there is no place for debates in specific foreign languages. The 2008 election is about electing the next President of the United States, not the linguistically divided states.

"While candidates may choose to use foreign languages in select private forums, the limited number of public debates dictates that they be conducted in English so that 95 percent of the population can understand them. By pandering to specific immigrant groups, we are continuing a divisive national trend, asking government and government officials to learn the language of immigrants rather than asking immigrants to learn the language of our country.

"Informed political participation is based on the knowledge of the entire candidate, not a select glimpse of morsels offered in the native language. How is it that the Miss Universe pageant can be conducted in English, but U.S. Presidential election involves Spanish language debates?"