President Obama backed away from comments he made last week in which he suggested that Republicans are “enemies” of Latinos.
In a radio interview on Monday, Obama tried to clarify comments in which he suggested Latino voters should “punish our enemies” for their stance on immigration reform.
“Now the Republicans are saying that I’m calling them enemies,” Obama told the Michael Baisden Show. “What I’m saying is you're an opponent of this particular provision, comprehensive immigration reform, which is something very different.”
Obama’s comments come ahead of House Minority Leader John Boehner’s closing campaign speech tonight in which he was planning on taking the president to task for the comment.
"Sadly, we have a president who uses the word 'enemy' for fellow Americans, fellow citizens. He used it for people who disagree with his agenda of bigger government," Boehner said, according to prepared remarks released in advance of his speech.
In an earlier interview with Univision radio, Obama said: “If Latinos sit out the election instead of saying ‘We’re gonna punish our enemies, and we’re gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us’—if they don’t see that kind of upsurge in voting in this election—then I think its going to be harder. And that’s why I think it’s so important that people focus on voting on November 2nd.”
Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for National Journal’s AM & PM Must Reads. News and analysis to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
Leave a Comment