How to juggle immigration enforcement with reform was the first question out of the gate during Thursday night's debate in Jacksonville.

It was the last debate before the Florida primary. With 50 winner-takes-all delegates at stake, more than Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina combined, a Florida win is considered crucial to clinching the nomination.

And when it comes to South Florida, the Hispanic vote is central to success.

Mitt Romney lashed out at Newt Gingrich for a recent Spanish-language radio ad which labeled the former Massachusetts Governor as "anti-immigrant." He went so far as to ask Gingrich to apologize, for what he said, was a misrepresentation of his message.

A message Gingrich responded was unreasonable. The former House Speaker told a diverse audience that Romney doesn't understand that it's impossible to deport everyone who is here illegally and unrealistic that some illegal immigrants, with deep ties to family and community, would choose to self-deport as Romney has suggested.

Gingrich said immigration reform has to include a mix of tactics to include stronger enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border and a change in the visa system to better address current patterns of immigration.

It was that nuanced answer that some attendees at a debate watch party in Doral told Local 10 struck the right tone with them.

The watch party kicked off the first day of the Hispanic Leadership Network's weekend conference. The center-right advocacy group also co-sponsored Thursday night's debate.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush spoke at the conference Thursday afternoon to address the growing importance of the Hispanic vote.

Bush explained how Hispanics are considered "swing voters." They are credited with helping Barack Obama win the presidency just as it did for George W. Bush before him.

In recent years this demographic has shifted left. Political analysts believe a variety of factors explain why to include some Republicans blocking passage of The Dream Act and backing divisive immigration legislation, like Arizona's SB1070, which many viewed as "anti-immigrant."

Bush said Republicans should not be sending off those signals and really need to do a better job of reaching out to Hispanic voters.

One way to do that, he explained, is to show compassion and respect for the immigrant experience.

2010 Census data has documented the population growth of Hispanics in communities across the country. In fact in some states, such as Texas, it's led to the addition of new congressional seats.

But Bush warned that it is not wise to view Hispanics as a monolithic group. Some sub-groups like the Cuban-American population tend to vote Republican while others, like Mexican-Americans, tend to vote Democratic.

He also said he thinks the press puts too much emphasis on immigration. Just like the general population other issues are also very important.

His comments come on the same day the Pew Hispanic Research Center released the results of a national study that found the majority of Hispanics think they've been hit hardest by the economic downturn compared to other groups.

Hispanics are a diverse bunch. Which might explain why the candidate that wins them over, and Florida, will be considered in the best position to secure the nomination and challenge Barack Obama.