Yesterday at the NALEO (National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials) conference in San Antonio, Texas Governor Rick Perry told the crowd that his appointing of Jose Cuervas to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission was appropriate because the appointee’s name sounded like the tequila brand Jose Cuervo. This quip didn’t go over well with the conference attendees, and I can understand why. Most people don’t want to hear their names mocked like this in front of a crowd.

What makes this quip even more stinging is that Perry is pursuing an agenda perceived by many to be anti-Latino. Alec Jacobs of The Daily Caller explains:

“At the root could be the governor’s inclusion of a “sanctuary city” bill in the special session of the state legislature. The bill threatens to withhold state aid from local governments that prevent police officers from asking about immigration status. Hispanics may also be upset with a bill Perry signed into law last month, requiring photo identification at polling stations. Both are hot-button issues for Latinos.”

Having local police inquire about immigration status sets Texas up for Arizona style immigration enforcement. And the photo identification law can be construed as trying to limit certain groups from voting, especially those already weary of having to produce papers upon demand. Worth noting is that voter fraud is actually very rare.

But to get back to the Cuervo joke, I can’t help but wonder if Governor Perry felt that he could take liberty with his appointee’s name because of the press that the Tequila Party has been receiving. If Latino organizations embrace the liquor names for a political aim, does it give the impression that our gente may be inclined to laugh at being called Jose Cuervo? Let us know what you think.