Obama basks in Hispanics' appreciation

Obama basks in Hispanics' appreciation

washingtontimes.com

• President Obama speaks June 22, 2012, during the National Association of Latino ... more >

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — President Obama took a victory lap Friday with Hispanic leaders, saying he moved to halt deportations of young illegal immigrants because he was tired of fighting a losing battle in Congress.
And he pointedly attacked his opponent in November, Mitt Romney, saying Hispanics shouldn’t trust the Republican’s newfound softer tone on the issue but look back to the stances he staked out during the primary.
“He has promised to veto the Dream Act, and we should take him at his word,” Mr. Obama said, adding pointedly, “Just sayin’.”
Drawing repeatedly rounds of applause from the annual conference of National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), meeting at Disney World, Mr. Obama said he had to act last week to cancel deportations for young illegal immigrants because Congress had failed to send such a bill to his desk.
And he countered those such as Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, who said they’d been making progress on the Dream Act but contended that Mr. Obama’s unilateral move short-circuited their efforts.
“To those who are saying Congress should be the one to fix this — absolutely. For those who say we should do this in a bipartisan fashion — absolutely. My door’s been open for 3½ years. They know where to find me,” Mr. Obama said.
Mr. Obama never mentioned Mr. Romney, the presumptive Republican nominee, by name but repeatedly referred to the former Massachusetts governor’s  speech to the same audience on Thursday.
In his remarks, Mr. Romney had said the deportation halt was a stopgap measure that fell short of the president’s own campaign promises, though he wouldn’t say whether he’d leave Mr. Obama’s order in place as president. Mr. Romney instead promised a long-term solution for immigration and vowed “when I make a promise to you, I will keep it.”
Mr. Obama on Friday agreed Hispanics should take him at his word — and pointed back to Mr. Romney’s vow during the primaries to veto the Dream Act.
Where Mr. Romney received a polite reception from NALEO, Mr. Obama was welcomed as a hero. Far more people stood on chairs to snap photos, and the room was noticeably more crowded for the president’s speech.
He also drew several standing ovations, including when he touted his health care law.