Obama pulls back on 'enemies' remark to Latinos

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is pulling back from remarks he made last month when he called on Latino voters to punish their "enemies" in the midterm elections.

In an interview Monday with radio host Michael Baisden, Obama said he should have used the word "opponents" instead of enemies.

Republicans were quick to criticize Obama's original remarks. Republican National Committee spokesman Doug Heye called it a message of desperation.

Obama's remarks came after he was asked how he could ask Latinos for their vote when many don't believe he's worked hard to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

The president said Monday that the message he was trying to send was that voters need to support lawmakers who stand with them on the issue.