http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/25/in-appeal-to-hispanics-obama-promises-to-push-immigration-reform/Obama Vows to Push Immigration Changes
By ASHLEY SOUTHALL
In the final week leading up to the midterm elections, President Barack Obama is encouraging Hispanic voters to turn their frustration over stalled immigration reform against Republicans on Election Day.
Hispanics make up a crucial voting bloc in several battleground states and Democrats are hoping to pick up voters turned off by anti-immigrant discourse.
In a radio interview that aired on Univision on Monday, Mr. Obama sought to assure Hispanics that he would push an immigration overhaul after the midterm elections, even though he has not been able to attract Republican support.
“If Latinos sit out the election instead of saying, ‘We’re going to 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 it’s going to be harder and that’s why I think it’s so important that people focus on voting on November 2.”
Referring specifically to Republicans such as Senator John McCain, who formerly supported an overhaul but now are stressing border security and supporting strict immigration laws like Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration measure, Mr. Obama said, “Those aren’t the kinds of folks who represent our core American values.”
In a pitch for Senator Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, who locked in a dead heat with his Republican opponent, Sharron Angle, Mr. Obama warned voters that Ms. Angle “is completely opposed to comprehensive immigration reform.” He also denounced an ad encouraging Nevada’s Latinos to stay home on Election Day as “cynical.”
Democrats have put forth a number of proposals aimed at overhauling the nation’s immigration laws. But talks floundered after Senator Lindsey Graham, the lone Republican who was working with them on the overhaul, walked away during a dispute over energy policy.
The Justice Department sued Arizona over its immigration law, arguing that it interfered with the federal government’s role in enforcing immigration laws. Arizona has appealed a stay imposed by a federal judge.
Comparing the immigration fight to African Americans’ decades-long struggle to gain civil rights, Mr. Obama said, “instead of us giving up, we just have to keep working until it gets done.”
“I’m going to keep my promise on immigration reform,” Mr. Obama said.
The interview was taped Friday in Los Angeles for a show hosted by Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo. Mr. Sotelo’s radio show is immensely popular among California Hispanics. At the start of the interview, the Mexican-American comedian gave Mr. Obama “multiple” choices of what to discuss.
“A.) Immigration reform, B) Immigration Reform, C.) Immigration reform, D.) All of the above.”
Mr. Obama took D. “Absolutely,” the president said.
