Boxer says abortion views won’t hurt her with socially conservative Latinos

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) defended her socially liberal views on Spanish-language television Sunday, saying she was polling well in the socially conservative Latino community because her stance in favor of abortion rights is “100 percent respectful.”

On Univision’s “Al Punto,” Boxer was asked about a National Organization for Marriage ad geared toward the Hispanic community that says her abortion and gay marriage positions don’t coincide with Latino values.

“I am a 100 percent respectful of people’s views,” she said. “I don’t think the government should tell people what to do.

“…When you are pro-choice you respect all the choices, you respect people,” Boxer added. “If their religion tells them one thing, you respect it, and so I’ve been very respectful. And the Hispanic community, I’ve fought for them, I fought for their kids education. I wrote the first after-school program, anti-gang programs.

“I’ve worked very hard on immigration, so they know what side I’m on and my opponent supports the Arizona law, which is clearly targeting Latinos. It’s not good, and she’s there, and I’m on the other side of that,” she said, referencing GOP challenger Carly Fiorina.

Boxer touted her endorsement by L.A.-based La Opinion, the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the country.

“The editorial said my opponent would be a disaster,” she said. “So I think people are catching on now, and I am excited about the race.”

A Los Angeles Times/USC poll released Sunday showed 60 percent of Latino voters supporting Boxer, while Fiorina gained ground slightly among Latinos to poll at 28 percent.

A Real Clear Politics average of polling data from Oct. 10-21 shows Boxer ahead by 2.5 points.

Boxer also told the Univision program that Congress would be able to pass immigration reform once the election and “all the posturing” is done.