The Washington Times reported yesterday that President Obama’s challenge now that he obtained the majority of the Hispanic votes in his election campaign, is to ensure that he keeps them in the hopes of his re-election race in 2012.
Critics have said that the determining factor if he will keep the Hispanic vote in 2012 is whether or not he signs immigration reform into law.
Hispanics are considered the fastest growing minority group. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts Hispanics will account for 30 percent of the population by 2050, doubling in size and hence increasing their political influence.
Immigration reform is a major issue in both the major political parties with significant consequences. For example, Republicans could alienate Hispanics if they are too anti-immigrant. Democrats on the other hand, risk seriously disillusioning Hispanics because of lack of action, delays, or handles this in a piecemeal fashion.
Either way, Hispanics will either praise the President for signing immigration reform into law or, hold him almost personally accountable for not resolving the immigration problem. Overall, the President has his work cut out for him on this one.
