Hillary going to Puerto Rico on Saturday, will spend 3 days over there.

[Colobo]

As far as I know, Obama has done a very lame effort in PR- he should go and hold several rallies over there and go to TV shows, and get the Governor and his cronies to promote him wherever they can. People would love him and he would win. It's very easy for Obama to win over there, but it doesn't look like he is putting much effort over there.

He should.

[MadBadger]

1. I agree, he should be going to Puerto Rico.

[flpoljunkie]

38. Michelle was there last week and Governor Richardson will be there tomorrow.

[LSparkle]

2. If he doesn't at least make SOME effort, it's a mistake ...

Just go over, take the family, get some good pics of Barack
on the beach (S.I. style!) ... He's gotten a lot of flak for
not appearing to even try in both KY and WV and he can't
afford to do that in PR.

[NJmaverick]

3. Obama is already working on the GE. It would be foolish to waste any more time on Hillary

Hillary may not have figured it out, but the rest of the Country has.

[Colobo]

4. Doesn't matter- he can finish her there quite easily.

[MadBadger]

7. That isnt completely true

The reason he didnt go to West Virginia or KY was because he had no chance and has none in the GE. Puerto Rico is a different story. He does have a chance there and can put her away.

[sniffa]

13. But he has no chance in PR in the GE

[Colobo]

15. PRs in the island can't vote in the GE, but we over here can.

Puerto Ricans don't like when our island is ignored.

[woolldog]

24. also I don't think those states were safe for him to go to. (n/t)

[woolldog]

16. but why give her any additional talking points?

Which is what he does if he loses PR.

Unlike KY and WV he can actually win PR. And 1 or 2 days spent campaigning there instead of for the GE probably won't make a difference for the GE, but will make a difference in PR.

A win by Obama there would drive a stake through the Clinton campagin's heart. And I'm firmly convinced he can win there. Add that to probable wins in Montanna and ND and he will have closed on a high note. And change perceptions about him and the Latino vote, which will be helpful for the GE.

[Colobo]

23. It so easy for him over there, look

He has about 80% of the ruling Popular Democratic Party and a huge number of high profile members of the New Progressive Party. He has the support of most mayors and the Governor. Not only that, but most Puerto Ricans will identify with Obama because he's biracial (white and black) and Puerto Rican culture and demography is basically that- a mixture of European and African peoples. We understand Obama, because most of us are either like him or have family or friends like him.

People would love him- he just has to push it a little bit!

[woolldog]

33. He even looks like he could be Puerto Rican.

I hope he's not buying into this "hispanics" like Clinton BS. Hispanics are not the same everywhere. And Puerto Ricans are different from Mexicans and El Salvadoreans etc. Like you said he looks like he could be Puerto Rican!

[Colobo]

43. He looks like my uncle, for Christ's sake!

[catgirl]

59. Bill Richardson will be very effective in PR

[gateley]

5. I agree --

When people get a chance to see/hear him, it makes an impression.

I thought he should have spent time in WV and KY, too, and just say "I'm here to ask for your support".

If I'm an on-the-fence voter and I see only one candidate make an effort to meet with me, that's the candidate who will get my vote.

I'm actually surprised, with the brilliant campaign he's run, that he seems to blow off some states he just feels he can't win. The Personal Touch goes a long way.

[Colobo]

8. I've noticed that. He shouldn't coast to victory.

[Cha]

20. Oh yeah, like Obama's "coasting to victory"!!????

:wtf: you know what? I trust Obama's strategy.

[woolldog]

36. it's possible the Secret Service advised him against going to KY and WV

[Araxen]

6. PR doesn't count in the GE

Why should he waste his time over there? If PR wants to count towards the GE then maybe they should become finally become a State and have some say in the matter. The Dems are way too generous in awarding so many delegates to a territory that doesn't even count towards anything in the GE.

[MadBadger]

10. If that is his official stance, than he should declare victory

Why hasnt he done that then?

[Colobo]

11. There are 4 million Puerto Ricans in the states, including me. I'm an Obama supporter.

Many Puerto Ricans over here are. The island is part of this nation. We deserve some respect.

[BlooInBloo]

17. While my uninformed opinion about Obama's private strategy agrees with your opinion...

I wouldn't say that Obama *not* going would be a sign of *disrespect*. That's just going to far.

[cali]

21. Agreed. If he were assured of a win there

I could understand his staying here and working on the general, but he should make an effort to do well there.

[Araxen]

46. Start paying federal income tax

and you'll get my respects. As far as I'm concerned you guys have your cake and eat it too and it doesn't sit well with me. Become a State and you'll earn my respect till then you should have no say at all.

[Colobo]

48. I'm pro statehood and I live in Florida. I'm doing my part.

[Lost-in-FL]

62. Ahem...

I think your Congress is the one that "wants the cake and eat it too". They want the votes of the Latino in the US at the expense of holding the island hostage. Why can the House of Representatives start talking about granting either independence or statehood to PR? Wait... I think you didn't know that only the US has the power to start the dialog on independence vs statehood and not Puerto Ricans. They can vote for Independence until they are blue in the face but they cannot be free until Congress grants either freedom or statehood.

Talk to your congressman and ask why Puerto Ricans won't pay taxes. I bet you won't get an answer to that and if he does he/she will blame it on Puerto Ricans. He or She will tell you that we are free to choose our status but he won't tell you they aren't obligated to act on it. This is kind of like "ilegal" immigration where no one want to do a thing about it cause they want the "Latino vote"... about the only thing they want us for.

[Lost-in-FL]

63. We cannot...

even get respect from you as people, as citizens, what make you think we should pay taxes? To earn YOUR respect?

[PoliticalAmazon]

9. I agree, but I don't know all of the specifics of his strategy....

He's done great so far, so I'm not going to start armchair quarterbacking over this issue.

[NewHampshireDem]

12. Puerto Rico has no electoral votes, so I understand the strategy

Though I do admit some ambivalence. Sending Richardson is a good move, but, yeah, going himself couldn't hurt. On the other hand, it prevents him from having to answer awkward questions that are bound to come up (Vieques, statehood, etc.). (I'm assuming that one can't really make visit without sitting down with the local media.)

[Colobo]

14. He needs Puerto Ricans in the state to vote for him in the GE. Showing the island some love

will help.

[MadBadger]

18. And as President, he would have to answer those awkward questions.

[NewHampshireDem]

39. Fully understood ... however, there is no way to answer either that isn't going to piss off

a lot of people in Puerto Rico, then be used against him. It's a particularly tricky can of worms not worth opening at this point, and do you really want to spend the next 5 months arguing about whether Puerto Rico's residents should be paying income tax or not? Puerto Rico is like Cuba in that regard--there's no 'right' answer and none that he can give that won't potentially damage him politically (even if it may be a small ding).

It'll be interesting to see what news comes out of PR during the time HRC is there. I predict she's going to step in it and be sorry she went.

Just to be clear--with respect to the Puerto Rican community, I think we have bigger fish to fry on the domestic front. Having a Puerto Rican step-father and being on the edge of the Puerto Rican community, there are a lot of issues of poverty, education, and health that Obama can address to that constituency.

Does that make sense? :shrug:

[kentuck]

19. Like he should have gone into WV and KY?

PR will give Hillary the victory she is looking for - the popular vote victory with the momemtum on her side. That is the argument she will make at the convention in August.

[MadBadger]

29. Dont believe the media when they say PR will be a landslide for Hillary

The two polls I saw awhile ago had her up like 10-12 points.

[Colobo]

31. 3 days in the island make it a win for him. Guaranteed.

[MadBadger]

35. I'm no expert on PR, but I feel like the media is just assuming PR means Latino means Hillary

[NewHampshireDem]

42. Gold star!

I can't believe how often anyone with brown skin who speaks Spanish is lumped into a single category, as though Mexicans, South Americans, Central Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and European Spanish-speakers are all one giant hive mind.

[slinkerwink]

40. He's going to be in Puerto Rico next week. Bill Richardson is already there.

[book_worm]

22. I'm divided, yes it would be nice to go, but I think he will invest more time in SD and MT and get

impressive wins there.

[malik flavors]

25. Give him atleast a couple days. Hillary hasn't been there yet either.

Hopefully he'll be spending some quality time there.

[Texas Hill Country]

56. (pssst.... he is not going to PR. Pass it on.)

[Texas Hill Country]

26. nice! good for her!!!

[billyoc]

27. Ain't ya glad ya sold your bike to pay for three days at the beach, kid?

:rofl:

[Stephanie]

28. I hope she bought a one-way ticket.

[Tatiana]

30. Contact the campaign and urge Senator Obama to go to Puerto Rico.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/contact2

[Colobo]

41. Thanks! I just did! It would sicken me to see Obama lose over there.

It's there for him.

[Tatiana]

45. The mayors are for him. Organized labor is for him. The people are for him. He can win.

Even though the teachers' union didn't endorse anyone, the majority of teachers I know on the island are for Obama.

He needs to go over there. It would also send a message to the mainland borinquens like myself that he cares about our family over there and has their interests and well-being at heart. Puerto Rico is also going through a rough time economically. He needs to reach out to those people. They will vote for him.

[JimGinPA]

32. That's Because She's Going To Lose Both Montana & S. Dakota...

He hasn't given up on PR, Michelle has been there & Richardson is there now.

[slinkerwink]

34. He's going to be in Puerto Rico next week. Bill Richardson is already there.

[Lost-in-FL]

44. i believe Michelle Obama has been there too.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/zacharyjarvinen/gGBl5R

[Colobo]

47. But Clinton is getting all the attention- He needs to steal her thunder.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

37. Can we chip in and buy her a season pass to stay all summer?

[Colobo]

49. Kick!

[Lost-in-FL]

50. The governor of Puerto Rico was going to publicly endorse Obama...

the day before the Governor was indicted for Campaign finance fraud, charges that are seen by many, including the governor as politically motivated. Acevedo Vila was told NOT to endorce him publicly for obvious reasons. That is common knowledge in PR.

_______________________________________________________________

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0108/485254.html

Puerto Rico Leader: FBI Probe Political
posted 5:28 pm Fri January 04, 2008 - SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico

A federal corruption probe can be career-ending for U.S. politicians - but in Puerto Rico it could help Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila hold onto power by stirring a nationalist backlash. As a U.S. grand jury investigates alleged campaign finance violations, the governor insisted Friday in an interview with The Associated Press that he is a victim of persecution. His complaints against the federal government taps into deep-rooted nationalism on the Caribbean island, whose residents are U.S. citizens but generally consider themselves Puerto Ricans first.

Pro-independence activists have deplored the grand jury probe, even though the small minority favoring independence for this island of 4 million are not natural allies of Acevedo's Popular Democratic Party, which prefers to retain Puerto Rico's semiautonomous status.

Acevedo dismisses the probe as Washington's retribution for his criticism of a September 2005 FBI raid in which a fugitive militant independence leader was killed when agents came to arrest him at a remote hillside farmhouse on the island.

Acevedo also says Rosa Emilia Rodriguez, the top federal prosecutor on the island, is aligned with one of his main opponents in this year's race for governor, a candidate from the party that favors making Puerto Rico the 51st U.S. state.


______________________

Puerto Ricans I know in the island are perfectly ok with Obama not campaigning there for obvious reasons. They know this will affect Obama more than anyone else.

[Colobo]

51. I know- however, the Governor has managed to maintain complete

power over his base, and he's not going anywhere. Most voters of his party support and listen to him. He can mobilize people.

[Lost-in-FL]

52. I believe Obama takes PR

but it won't be easy. It would not be by a landslide.

[Texas Hill Country]

53. based on what facts?

[Lost-in-FL]

61. Local polls

I'm Puerto Rican and keep in touch with their local politics. Unfortunately I cannot find a link for that poll. It is going to be a very close election. Also, Puerto Ricans do not hold value on this primary cause they know Obama has all the votes he needs but Hillary isn't conceding.

[emilyg]

69. No way.

[anonymous171]

54. PR is a must win for democrats in the fall!

[Colobo]

55. 4 million Puerto Ricans live in the US. About 750K of us in Florida. All of us can vote.

Showing the island some love is always good...

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

57. No, I think he should go do some campaigning in Guam.

That's the smart choice.

[Colobo]

58. As a Puerto Rican Obama supporter in Florida

seeing my fellow Obamaniacs discount PR like that is... sad.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

60. How dare you savage the Guam people!

How dare you, sir!

[Tatiana]

64. It is very sad. We are citizens, not bastard colonists. n/t

[kwenu]

66. Come on. You don't let a few people get you upset. The PR vote is important.

There are a lot of things in play but he will turn his attention to PR when he can.

[kwenu]

65. The campaign is definitely putting a lot of resources in to play in PR.

I don't know when he will show up himself but undoubtedly he will.

[ej510]

67. Puertoricans are important in states like conneticuit.

[Tatiana]

68. Well now we know that Obama himself will be visiting the island on Saturday. n/t