Poll: A Latino VP could boost GOP ticket

I staunchly despise when politicians make their political and governing decisions based on race.  That said, I still think the latest Fox News poll of Latino voters is noteworthy as it demonstrates why politicians do what they do -- because it pays.

According to a Fox News Latino poll conducted, President Barack Obama beats any of the GOP candidates among Latino voters by a margin of six-to-one.  The GOP also seems to be losing ground as Latinos who voted for John McCain four years ago are now divided in their vote.  Forty percent said that they favored Obama while 38 percent said they would vote for Romney. Obama also leads Santorum 38 percent to 34, and Gingrich 40 percent to 38.

So how can the GOP gain back ground among Latino voters?  Er, pick a Latino veep:

Almost one-third of Latino voters say that they would consider voting Republican if there were a Latino on the ticket.  …

Almost one-quarter of Latinos said they would be more willing to vote for a Republican if [Marco] Rubio was on the ticket, with this number rising to almost four-in-ten in Florida, a potential swing state.

About one-fifth of likely Latino voters would be more willing to vote for a Republican if [Susana] Martínez  got the VP nod.