DNC 2012: Julian Castro Speech Makes for Some Awkward Signs

Republicans are pros at pandering. When they come to Miami, they always appear at Versailles Café and rage about the Cuban regime. And, of course, they held their convention in Tampa last week in an effort to court curmudgeonly Florida voters.Democrats? Not so much. They are sure to have lost...

By Michael E. Miller

September 5, 2012

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Republicans are pros at pandering. When they come to Miami, they always appear at Versailles Café and rage about the Cuban regime. And, of course, they held their convention in Tampa last week in an effort to court curmudgeonly Florida voters.

Democrats? Not so much. They are sure to have lost some Sunshine State support after last night's keynote address in Charlotte, North Carolina. San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro delivered a great speech, but those "Castro Country" signs aren't going to go down well with Cubanos.

While convention organizers and TV pundits seemed to miss the strangeness of the "Castro Country" and "Viva Castro" signs, the awkward moment wasn't lost on everyone.

Daily Show correspondent John Hodgman quickly tweeted a dictator joke:

It probably didn't help that Julian Castro was introduced by his twin brother, Joaquin.

Pero cálmense, Cubanos. These guys are from Texas.

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Michael E. Miller was a staff writer at Miami New Times for five years. His work for New Times won many national awards, including back-to-back-to-back Sigma Delta Chi medallions. He now covers local enterprise for the Washington Post.

Contact: Michael E. Miller