National Journal reports (in a subscriber only post) that tensions exist within the Democratic Party since Obama has yet to act on issues of concern to some of his electoral supporters, notably Latinos. They point out that while the health care bill was passing, 250,000 Latinos were protesting - in DC - inattention to immigration reform:
But hours earlier on the National Mall, another group had gathered -- a boisterous crowd estimated at 250,000 -- to urge Obama to fulfill his promise to enact comprehensive immigration reform. You didn't have to be an intrepid reporter to pick up on a deep sense of disappointment -- and even betrayal -- that the president had not done more to advance the goal of bringing 11 million immigrants out of the shadows and giving them a pathway to citizenship.
Latinos had backed Obama 2-to-1 over Republican nominee John McCain in the 2008 presidential election, and their votes had made the difference in Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New Mexico, all states that President Bush carried in 2004. "People are really, really upset. I have never seen it so bad," said Salvador Reza, a veteran activist and immigration reform advocate who arrived at the Mall after traveling 14 days in a caravan from Phoenix. "President Obama is in danger of losing the Latino vote, either because they won't go to the polls for him next time or they might vote for somebody else as a protest."
It is ironic that at the very moment Obama is ready for a victory lap, he instead faces a major political detour. Ire is rising within the broad coalition of activists -- including that crowd on the Mall -- that helped him win the first majority vote for a Democratic president since Jimmy Carter in 1976. They are frustrated and angry that he has neglected their priorities. Obama can no longer count on them to remain reflexively in his corner.
Similar sentiments are being expressed by women's, labor, and gay and lesbian groups. If these groups do not show up in 2010, Republican gains are guaranteed. I would expect to see at least token action begun on issues important to each constituency and will note them when they happen.
