By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Recent headlines have trumpeted the fact that Hispanic voters supported Barack Obama by more than a 2-1 margin over John McCain on Election Day. But that support isn't as overwhelming as it first appears.

While Hispanic voters have high expectations for Obama, it's unclear how deep their enthusiasm really is.

Fact No 1: Obama received 67 percent of the Hispanic vote to 30 percent for McCain.

Fact No. 2: George Bush received 44 percent of the vote in 2004, far better than McCain did.

At first glance, McCain obviously did worse than Bush, in large part because Bush disappointed Hispanic voters with his four years of bungling in the White House since 2004, especially on immigration reform.

Hispanic voters say as much in polls, giving the president extremely low favorable ratings.

But here's Fact No. 3:

CNN Polling Director Keating Holland pointed out Democratic candidates have won an average of 64 percent of the Hispanic vote in the 10 presidential elections since 1972.

Bottom line: Obama's 67 percent rate of 2008 isn't that much higher than the average, meaning he barely beat the margin other Democrats had accumulated in recent years.

Obama does have important facts going for him. Hispanic voters were more confident he could handle the nation's major problems, such as dealing with the economy, education and health care costs.

But like all Americans, Hispanics will be waiting to see whether Obama delivers on his many promises.

If he doesn't, expect the GOP presidential candidate in 2012 to get a big boost in going after Hispanic votes.