It’s time for an Obama-Biden flashback on their failure to keep their promise to Hispanics in 2008 and 2012.

FAILURE FLASHBACK – When I read that the Biden-Harris campaign had released a 30-second commercial targeting Hispanics in Arizona and Florida, it brought back memories of my time in Texas, where my political writing began in earnest.

Just as I did on April 23, 2012, when I reminded Hispanic voters of President Obama’s failure to keep his promise made to them in a speech to the League of United Latino American Citizens four years earlier, I am taking this opportunity to do this flashback.

These were the words of candidate Obama to Latinos on July 9, 2008:

“ … for eight long years, we’ve had a president (George W. Bush) who made all kinds of promises to Latinos on the campaign trail, but failed to live up to them in the White House, and we can’t afford that anymore.  We need a president who isn’t going to walk away from something as important as comprehensive immigration reform when it becomes politically unpopular.

“(We need) to put an end to the petty partisanship that passes for politics in Washington and enact comprehensive immigration for all.  That’s the commitment I’m making to you.  And, I will make it a top priority in my first year as president ….”

Two months later, speaking to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Obama said, “They (Latinos) are counting on us to … finally enact comprehensive reform,” adding, “I think it’s time for a president who won’t walk away from comprehensive immigration reform, when it becomes politically unpopular.”

Shortly after Obama’s inauguration, The New York Times queried White House staffer Cecilia Munoz about the comprehensive immigration legislation that the president said would be a priority in his first year in office, reminding her that Latino voters turned out strongly for Mr. Obama in the election.  “He intends to start the debate this year,” Munoz responded.

Meanwhile, the Times reported that other White House officials said, “immigration would not take precedence over the health care and energy priorities.”

Fourteen months into his presidency, Obama said “immigration reform will have to wait,” as he ticked off agenda items health care, energy and financial regulatory reform that needed immediate attention.  “Immigration will be addressed,” he said, “but not just yet. Am I going to be able to snap my fingers and get this done?  No.”  Seemingly recognizing that he had over-promised.

“More and more of the Latinos I hear from feel as if they’ve been snookered,” wrote columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. mid-July 2010.  “They see the passion that Obama put into the issue he really cared about – health care – and they resent the fact that when it comes to immigration reform, the president seems to think that words speak louder than actions.

“What they resent even more is that they feel teased every time Obama makes another major speech promising to deliver something he has no intention of delivering – comprehensive immigration reform.”

Yet, in an effort to woo Latino voters in 2012, Obama made a pledge to push for immigration reform in his second term, saying, “This is something I care deeply about.”  He didn’t deliver.  Obama-Biden gave birth to the phrase, “Hispandering.”

FLASH FORWARD TO 2020 – In the new Biden-Harris campaign commercial, we are told that Harris is, “An ally and a champion of the Latino community for years. Kamala is the final piece of the puzzle,” seemingly admitting that the Obama-Biden team was missing something over eight years.

Commitment?  Leadership?

Could it be that the Biden Harris team remembers the “fool me once, shame on you (2008) … fool me twice, shame on me (2012)” quote and was careful not to promise something they couldn’t deliver this time around.  This is their weak pledge to Hispanics: “Together, Biden and Harris will rebuild the American dream and ensure a future for all.” 

BUT IT’S ALL TOO LATE – Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, President Trump’s policies lowered Hispanic unemployment to 4.4 percent, a new record.  Two years into Trump’s term, the median income for Hispanic households grew by 3.7 percent, adjusting for inflation.  Because of President Trump’s deregulation and pro-business policies, Latino-owned businesses have grown.

May God continue to bless the United States of America.