Obama: I Should Have Used the Word ‘Opponents’ Instead of ‘Enemies’
By Julie Pace, Associated Press
November 2, 2010
President Barack Obama addresses rally for Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Va., on Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Washington (AP) - A day before the pivotal midterm elections, President Barack Obama pulled back from remarks he made last month when he called on Latino voters to punish their "enemies" on Election Day. In an interview Monday with radio host Michael Baisden, Obama said he should have used the word "opponents" instead of enemies.
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Obama's original comments came during an interview with Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo, a Hispanic radio personality. Piolin questioned how Obama could ask Latinos for their vote when many don't believe he's worked hard to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
Obama responded: "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 it's gonna be harder."