Obama Walks Back "Enemies" Remark

In a radio interview yesterday, President Barack Obama clarified a comment he made last week that drew the scorn of Republicans.

Obama told syndicated host Michael Baisden that he was wrong to urge Latino voters to “punish” their “enemies” by voting for Democrats on Election Day.

“I probably should have used the word ‘opponents’ instead of enemies,” Obama said.

Obama’s original remark that created the controversy came during a response to whether he would continue to work on passing comprehensive immigration reform, which has stalled in the current Congress. 

“If Latinos sit out the election instead of, ‘we’re going to punish our enemies and we’re going to 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,” the President said.

House Minority Leader John Boehner seized on that remark during a rally last night in Cincinnatti.

“Today, sadly, we have president who uses the word ‘enemy’ for fellow Americans … fellow citizens. He uses it for people who disagree with his agenda of bigger government … people speaking out for a smaller, more accountable government that respects freedom and allows small businesses to create jobs,” Boehner said.

Should the GOP regain control of the House today, Boehner could very well become Speaker in 2011.

Obama is scheduled to appear on a series of talk radio shows throughout Election Day.