On both sides, there was recognition that courting Latinos, the nation's fastest growing voting bloc, was important to each party's viability not only in the next election, but in cycles to come, although the degree varied. National Journal Insiders registered their opinions on the issue as SB 1070, Arizona's tough immigration law, goes before the Supreme Court, inflaming passions on both sides.
"Republicans have chosen to be hostile to the idea of the melting pot. Historically, nationalistic zealotry has always had a backlash in presidential elections," one Republican Insider said.
"A little now, a lot in twenty years and forever after that," another posited as to how much Hispanics' uneasiness with the GOP would hurt now and in the future.
"Hispanics in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada could be the deciding voters in this campaign and Mitt has some fence building to do (no pun intended)," yet another said, referring to swing states with growing Latino populations.
The presumptive Republican nominee has raised eyebrows with his immigration stances, suggesting "self-deportation" as a mechanism for dealing with the nation's millions of undocumented workers and speaking favorably of Arizona's immigration law.
"Romney should have been the Republican to defend the American Dream but he pandered to the fringe instead. Very disappointing and now he'll pay a price," one GOP insider lamented.
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