Obama Offers More ‘Hope’ to Hispanic Leaders, Vows to Fight For Immigration Reform
- Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:09pm by
Jason Howerton
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President Barack Obama speaks at The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Annual Conference at the Walt Disney World Resort, Friday, June 22, 2012, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (The Blaze/AP) – Appealing to Hispanic voters, President Barack Obama on Friday defended his decision to lift the threat of deportation for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants, saying it gave them an overdue “sense of hope.” He challenged Republicans in Congress to join him finally on a big, broad fix of the U.S. immigration laws.
Also, if you enjoyed the president’s spontaneous Hispanic accent from his now-famous “chicanos” line in which he described which groups he hung out with in college, he brings the accent out again in his speech today and even speaks in Spanish a few times.
Obama tailored his re-election message of economic fairness and opportunity to his audience of Latino officials, addressing the group one day after Republican rival Mitt Romney did the same. Hispanic voters are a vital constituency in states that could swing the election, from Florida to Nevada to Virginia.
The president said the nation needs ideas and policies that build up the middle class and “our current immigration system doesn’t reflect those values.” The system punishes immigrants who play by the rules and drives away entrepreneurs who can get an education in America but cannot stay here legally, he said.
Obama spoke to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials near Orlando, his first speech to a Hispanic group since he decreed that many young illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children would be exempted from deportation and granted work permits valid for two years
“It was the right thing to do,” Obama declared.
Obama slyly never mentioned Romney by name but referenced the GOP Presidential nominee’s speech given to the same group on Thursday, The Washington Times reports.
“He has promised to veto the Dream Act, and we should take him at his word,”Obama said. “Just sayin’.”
The president was reportedly greeted like a “hero” at the reception, drawing several standing ovations which seemingly confirms that Obama’s election-season shift in immigration policy is paying dividends to his reelection campaign.
“Viva Obama!” one man was heard shouting in the ballroom, the Washington Times reports.
Obama ended his speech with the Spanish phrase: “Si se puede,” meaning “Yes we can.” Some may remember the phrase.
Watch part one of Obama’s speech:
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Part two:
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Romney has attacked Obama’s new plan to ease deportation rules as little more than a “stopgap measure.” The president sought to seize on that criticism from Romney and Republicans in Congress by putting the onus on them.
“For those who are saying Congress should be the one to fix this, absolutely,” Obama said. “For those who say we should do this in a bipartisan fashion, absolutely. My door’s been open for three-and-a-half years. They know where to find me.”
This is a breaking story and updates will be added.
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Comments (62)
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 5:48pm@WITHOUTGODWEPERISHASAREPUBLIC
Report Post »You think I hate illegal, just because I don’t think they should be rewarded for breaking the law? If my 74 year old mother from Luxemburg, can become a citizen, so can these young, strong, illegal aliens.
I pray, but I am not going to sit around waiting for God to act. How do you know it wasn’t God guiding me to make phone calls and write emails to my reps in 2006? How do you know He isn’t guiding me NOW? You know what they say about assuming? You are full of yourself.
lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 7:58pmI lived in the GD for 8 years… found that the Red Tape was thick… and yet everyone went to extremes to obey the Law… especially regarding Residency and Work Status… with people from about every other EU Nation there. So, your Mother’s attitued should be Conservative… even if a little bit Socialist… and supportive of the Legal Way of doing things.
Report Post »Xyskalla
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 1:39amIsn‘t Obama’s crew responsible for providing thousands of weapons to the Mexican drug cartels for his political gain? Weren’t those guns used to kill large numbers of people in Mexico? Haven’t the cartels turned the border region into a war zone?
Why then is Obama so popular among Hispanics when he’s done this to their country and their people?
Report Post »zoro51
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 5:24pmsocialists pandering to the WET BACK VOTE doenst work.. IMPEACH OBAMA NON AMERICAN BORN MUSLUM PRESIDENT
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 8:04pmThis is not about Socialism… as most Latins are Conservative… but about Obama charging down a Path not traveled… and now he is lost and thinks his would be converts are on his side… whereas, while the benefits are good, it may go against the grain. This shall be interesting.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 4:32pmIf you are white or oriental you have no country. The whole country revolves around blacks and hispancs. I see a civil war coming…the sooner the better. What makes me laugh is that black leaders like Sharpton and Jackson and others, try to make coalitions with the Hispanics and generally support their influx; when, in fact, hispanics are taking jobs from blacks and pushing blacks around. They take their neighborhoods and their jobs. What fools.
Report Post »garbagecanlogic
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 4:32pmHe already offered the “Hope” thing to the entire nation – see where that got us.
Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
Report Post »The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
PROSECUTE_PUBLIC_SERVANTS__FOR_CONSTITUTIONAL_TREASON
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 4:54pmThumbs up. Obummer is what the people deserve. Christians are no longer salt and light. Christians are jello. The US wants more evil, wicked, vile leadership in Nov. and dispises the moral choice R. Paul. Americans will wake up in FEMA camps with over 26,000 preachers nationwide signed on pledged to get their congretations to cooperate with FEMA. This is one sick sick Country.
Report Post »The folks who vote deserve what they vote for.
Want our country back
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:50pmToday Rush said, that the illegals here should be upset with obaaama since the guns from Fast & Furious have killed a lot of innocent Mexicans… good point.Hey ILLEGALS wake up, you’re being used FAST & FURIOUS.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:45pmLet Oblameus fight. The immigration bill, Dream Act got Americans off their butt and into politics in 2006. I know it’s what got me involved in politics ever since. We burned up the phone lines, clogged the fax lines, and pretty much shut down the phone system at the Capitol. If Oblameus wants to fight for immigration, let him. It will be the fight of his life!
Report Post »WithOutGodWePerishAsARepublic
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 4:18pmYou really believe he cares about illegals.. LOL LOL LOL LOL ?? More illegals have been deported under his watch then two full terms of Bush !!!! He had total control of Senate and Congress and did nothing -nada !!! In fact I believe he hates illegals just as much as you do it seems. Two things you must remember – without God this Republic will perish and we must always seek the guidance of Him to guide this Great Nation !!! You should kneel and ask Him what He thinks should be done about immigration reform- you’ll be surprised-But, it is similar to what Reagan did !!! Illegals are not the main problem… It is Washington DC…they kneel before Special Interests, Unions and other Nations rather then God for guidance- when we completely remove God from this Republic- we are going to be in a lot of trouble !!! So, instead of jamming phone lines- jam Heaven’s lines for guidnace- cause that is our only hope !!!
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 12:24pm…Fightin for ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT VOTES=ABOUT 800,000-ILLEGAL-VOTES for O’bama, and progressive-commies in our USA. He-the-One fills their heads with HOPE(not deeds), temporarrilly for His re-sellection. Then, after swear-in, NOTHING! He’s the WORLDS FIRST PRESENT-VOTING PRESIDENT!! …a NO-SHOW In Chief.
Report Post »Nepenthe
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:44pm“The president was reportedly greeted like a “hero” at the reception, drawing several standing ovations…”
Which is, of course, extremely odd, given that President Obama has crushed the deportation record, something that hispanic voters do not seem to be educated about.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:43pmIf we are to survive as a nation, obama must be removed from power. It is our duty as Americans to protect OUR country from obama – this is a battle at that we must win – failure is not an option.
NEVER SURRENDER! America is worth fighting for!
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 4:03pmAgreed, we need to convince those Ron Paul kooks…
Report Post »WithOutGodWePerishAsARepublic
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:42pmBO eres mentiroso… con tu lengua venenosa… He actually said- he has been waiting for 3 1/2 years for congress…geeze ..menitra (lie) My hispanic brothers …this man is a liar ..he does not care about us ..only our votes…he had 2 years … 2 complete years to do something if he really wanted ..had total control of Congress and Senate … he could have passed any reform on immigration if he wanted to in the first 100 days of his presidency !!!! Univision, Telemundo etc etc stand up for Hispanics…this “Memo” as he calls it …is not even worth the paper it is written on… it is a “Memo” ..he did not even have the “cajones” to call it an“ Executive order”… it is basically a“ brazero program”- temp work permits !!!!!!! Go back to 2008 during the campaign… he promised as a priority to reform immigration- was it done ????? NO !!! He is a typical politician !!! Immigration reform will only come if both sides come together- anyone with coomon sense and God-fearing christian believes -if they humbly pray will know- something has to be done !!!! A reform needs to be enacted… ask God – but ask in humility and faith- if that is not enough then fast and pray and ask God for divine guidance ! The Truth Has No Agenda !!!!
Report Post »wjames2605
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:57pmVery well thought out. He is a man of convenience. He speaks to what will sell and sells the giveaways. People must understand to give away you must take away first.
Report Post »Paul
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:42pmI see a “Crisis” coming in the fall …
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:41pmThe hispanics will vote for Obama or they would have risen up in Florida at the treatment of Zimmerman. Obama is full of poop as a stuffed turkey. This man is using these groups to secure his position as an ineligible president. He thinks they will be his army. These people are somehow tied into that gun running in Mexico, or Nancy Pelosi is gone plumb nuts. She knows something. How could it be a connection, though. Maybe she is just crazy. She may have let something slip and it came out crazy. It could be that there are things going on this country that is really worse than we know and they are trying to take our guns while they are arming those who will try an out and out take over. It should not be overlooked, for there is some reason that Pelosi tied something in that gun running with the election. Those congressmen need to get their heads together for they may face something this country has never faced before.
Report Post »Cavallo
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:40pmObama, “Vote for me and I’ll give those illegals amnesty.”
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 6:57pmObama “Vote for me and I will be your pimp”
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:40pm“The main vice of capitalism is the uneven distribution of prosperity. The main vice socialism is the even distribution of misary.” Winston Churchill
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:37pmWow! Looks like he dusted off that 2008 speech he gave on immigration “reform”…. MORE useless rhetoric given in hopes of tricking the “idiot” electorate!!!! My Hispanic circle is NOT buying this BS since they ALL went the correct way or corrected themselves into the path to become Americans with NO hyphens attached!!! This ‘baffoon“ is promising a free lunch with cake too for people that have NO desire to assimulate into this GREAT country and feel they are ”owed”!!!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:37pmYeah, and screw the rest of the people who came legally, and have been in line for five or more years……I gotta think that there are some Reagan Democrats out there that are maybe beginning to see thru this creep…..he loves air force one and livin like the king he thinks he is…….and he will do anything to keep the lifestyle ……..but I predict he loses big time…..
Report Post »simplygilly
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:36pmOh I get it. When Obama was dishing out ‘hope” in 2008, Hispanics didn’t get “their fair share”. All makes sense now.
Report Post »T-2
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 4:24pm“hope” wasn‘t translated to spanish in ’08.
Report Post »All Pro
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:35pmRemind me again what it was that Nixon, Ford, Reagan, GHW Bush, GW Bush did about the wide open southern border.
YAH! That’s what I thought you said. Obama will use everything the Rs have done or haven’t done against them. Maybe we should have built that fence when the congress promised Reagan they would. It’s to late to cry over spilled guacamole.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:33pmHe is a POSPOTUS
Report Post »Cabo King
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:27pmObummer whats next, gonna promise everyone on welfare a raise, fee gas, and a cell phone? don’t know why not??
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:36pm“Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.” Nikita Khrushchev
Report Post »SPOT_OF_TEA
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:21pmIt looks like Obama has found his enemy to fight against in the upoming election campaign and that enemy appears to be America…You wonder how he can win that battle?Just remember Jack Murtha called his own constituients redneck racists and was reeleted by a large amount of votes…..so nothing surprises me anymore.
Report Post »Cabo King
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:21pmIt has taken this Jackwagon 3 1/2 years to make a decision?? his door is always open?? hay what about Michelle?? what is she gonna do with all the “fat” mexicans?? ban tortillas!!! I’am gonna be sick…..
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:16pmThe panderer in chief at his best,next thing you know he’ll be offering free tacos for life,just vote for me so I can continue to destroy the country.
“It was the right thing to do,” Obama declared. No the right thing to do is for you to resign immediately you worthless Marxist POS fraud.
Report Post »Nemo13
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:16pmYeah, get all chummy with the illegals and the barely legals, because we don’t have anything more important going on here in the USA than the non-taxpayers and gov’t program abusers getting a free ride.
Report Post »vinnymac46
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:15pmOf course he can promise anything to these people, what I think is insulting is Oblama and the dems think latino’s are too stupid to care about anything else but immigration issues….what latino‘s don’t understand is Oblama can promise anything on his “last” term…after all what’s the worst that could happen?
Report Post »Cabo King
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:14pmhay Obummer—it’s election time, may as well just promise to open all the borders,melt everyone in, just say what ever lie you want to get reelected…FOOL
Report Post »Paul
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 3:21pmLie lie lie lie lie…
satans own….
Tic toc.
Report Post »