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Look who’s speaking Spanish: It’s the 2016 Republicans

In this April 28, 2015, photo, Republican presidential hopeful Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks at an event organized by Town Hall Los Angeles in Los Angeles. Republicans are bringing something unique to the 2016 presidential campaign: an ability to speak to Americans in both of their main mother tongues, Spanish as well as English. It remains to be seen how much Jeb Bush and Rubio will use their fluent Spanish in the campaign. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) In this April 28, 2015, photo, Republican presidential hopeful Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks at an event organized by Town Hall Los Angeles in Los Angeles. Republicans are bringing something unique to the 2016 presidential campaign: an ability to speak to Americans in both of their main mother tongues, Spanish as well as English. It remains to be seen how much Jeb Bush and Rubio will use their fluent Spanish in the campaign. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

By Associated Press April 29, 2015 1 min read

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Republicans are bringing something unique to the 2016 presidential campaign: an ability to speak Spanish.

Democrats can’t match it. Previous GOP candidates couldn’t.

But now, paradoxically, the party that’s on the outs with many Hispanic voters over immigration is the party that has serious presidential candidates who are surefooted in their language.

Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio are both fluent in Spanish. Rubio offered a few words of it in his presidential campaign announcement, quoting his Cuban grandfather, a small but notable addition in a speech meant for everyone to hear, not just a Hispanic crowd.

Bush peppered his remarks with Spanish in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, earning vigorous applause and making an obvious cultural connection with many in his audience.