So both Presidential candidates are speaking before the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, a very important Latino group if you want to woo crucial Latino voters.
Obama, of course, brought immigration issues to the forefront earlier this week, by making an executive decision (i.e., no Congressional approval required) not to enforce deportation laws against immigrants who came to this country at a very young age, and have been schooled here and/or served in the U.S. mililtary and/or who have no knowledge of any other country but the United States.
It's a sensible measure.
Romney has been stuttering all week with a response to the Obama measure. If he became president, would he repeal it? Yes? No? Romney waffled.
But today, speaking before the Latino group, he had his chance to say what he would do:
"Some people have asked if I will let stand the President's executive action. The answer is that I will put in place my own long-term solution that will replace and supersede the President's temporary measure.
As President, I won’t settle for a stop-gap measure. I will work with Republicans and Democrats to find a long-term solution. I will prioritize measures that strengthen legal immigration and make it easier. And I will address the problem of illegal immigration in a civil but resolute manner. We may not always agree, but when I make a promise to you, I will keep it."
Did you get that?
Now, to some people, that's a response. But it isn't. "I will come up with a solution" isn't a policy. It's just a promise to come up with a policy (something which Obama has been trying to do, but Republicans won't compromise).
Do we know what Romney will do? What HIS position is? What SPECIFICS he would want to put in place? Nope.
He thinks he can get elected by not saying anything. Let's make sure he can't.
UPDATE: Steve Benen adds—
You've heard of a non-apology apology? This is a non-policy policy. What's Romney's position? It's to come up with some other position that will "replace and supersede" Obama's policy. Does Romney agree with Obama's policy? He won't say. What will the new "long-term solution" include? He won't say that, either.
Just about everyone — congressional Republicans, voters, reporters, et al — are waiting for Romney to step up and show some leadership. The GOP candidate isn't quite up to the task.