by Matthew Hay Brown
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The throbbing beat of plena, blaring from a speaker truck, shook the Plaza del Quinto Centenario this afternoon as Barack Obama embarked on that most Puerto Rican of campaign appearances: the caminata.
"Un amigo presidente, porque respeta a nuestra gente" goes his campaign song, another political requirement in this Caribbean U.S. territory, which votes June 1: "A president friend, because he respects our people."
"Hola Puerto Rico!" the Illinois Democrat shouted to the hundreds of islanders and tourists who waited more than an hour in the tropical sun for a glimpse.
After weeks of appearances by surrogates - Bill and Chelsea Clinton for Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson for Obama - the Puerto Rico primary campaign has begun in earnest today, with both candidates on the island.
While Obama has a modest schedule - he met with Puerto Rican veterans in the suburban city of Bayamón this morning before coming to San Juan for the caminata, a sort of political street parade - Clinton, who is expected to win here, is touring the Connecticut-sized island of 4 million, with stops this evening in the western town of Aguadilla and tomorrow in the southern city of Ponce and San Juan.
For Puerto Ricans, U.S. citizens with high levels of political awareness and voter turnout, but whose voice in Washington is limited to a non-voting delegate to the House of Representatives, the Democratic primary has provided a rare opportunity to participate in the American political process.
"No matter how you look at it, who the president is makes a difference," said Jeff Malley Vega, a corporate attorney in San Juan who supports Obama. "We've paid the price in Iraq, but we had no say in whether we went to war. Helping in any way to determine who's president, even in this half-baked way, is important."
Islanders won't get to vote in the presidential election, but 55 delegates are up for grabs in the Democratic primary - more than in Kentucky and Oregon. Island leaders have taken the opportunity to work with the candidates on issues of interest to their constituents.
"The families here in Puerto Rico are dealing with the same things that families all across America are dealing with," Obama said in front of the formerly Spanish fort El Morro in colonial Old San Juan, and listed a need for jobs that pay a living wage and access to good housing, health care and education.
At the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamón, he spoke of the difficulty Puerto Rican veterans have faced in securing services and benefits to which they are entitled.
"It's an example of how we have to fight to make sure that the people of Puerto Rico are getting the respect and the dignity that they deserve," he said in Old San Juan.
But neither he nor Clinton have taken a position on the issue central to Puerto Rican politics: the island's political relationship with the United States, which invaded during the Spanish-American War in 1898 and never left.
With islanders long deadlocked between maintaining the current commonwealth status or seeking statehood - only a few percent favor outright independence - the candidates know that coming down on one side or the other would immediately alienate half the electorate.
Obama and Clinton both have been careful to court commonwealthers and statehooders alike, and - like American politicians before them - both say they support self-determination for the island.
"I want to make sure that here in Puerto Rico the people of Puerto Rico are able to decide on the status of the island, and make sure that they are able to create the kind of government that they want," Obama said, to cheers.







Comments
DON'T BE DUPED AGAIN AMERICA !!!
IT'S ABOUT ELECTABILITY !!!
Large numbers of BUSH_McCain Republicans have been voting for Barack Obama in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses from early on with the backing and help of the medical and insurance industry. Under the direction of the George Bush, and Karl Rove vote fraud, and vote manipulation machine. Because they feel Barack Obama would be a weaker opponent against John McCain. And they want to stop Hillary Clinton from fixing the HUGE! American, and Global mess they have created. shocking!!! isn't it. Just gotta love those good old draft dodging, silver spoon Texas boys. Not! :-(
You see, the medical and insurance industry mostly support the republicans with the money they ripped off from you. And they don't want you to have quality, affordable universal health care. They want to be able to continue to rip you off, and kill you and your children by continuing to deny you life saving medical care that you have already paid for. So they can continue to make more immoral profits for them-selves off of you, and your children's suffering.
With Hillary Clinton you are almost 100% certain to get quality affordable universal health care for everyone very soon. And you are also certain to see major improvements in the economy for everyone.
The American people face even worse catastrophes ahead than the ones you are living through now. It will take all of the skills, and experience of Hillary Clinton to pull the American people out of this mess we are in. Fortunately fixing up, and cleaning up others incompetence, immoral degeneracy, and mess is what the Clinton's do very well.
Hillary Clinton has actually won by much larger margins than the vote totals showed. And lost by much smaller vote margins than the vote totals showed. Her delegate count is actually much higher than it shows. And higher than Obama's. She also leads in the electoral college numbers that you must win to become President in the November national election. HILLARY CLINTON IS ALREADY THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE!
Just look at Oregon for example. Obama won Oregon by about 70,000 votes. But approximately 79,000 Bush republicans switched party's back in January to vote for Obama in the democratic primary. They are not going to vote for, or support any Democrat in November. Are you DEMOCRATS going to put up with that. Are you that stupid, and weak. The Bush republicans think you are that stupid, and weak.
As much as 30% of Obama's primary, and caucus votes are Republicans trying to choose the weakest democratic candidate for McCain to run against. These Republicans have been gaming the caucuses, and open primaries where it is easier to vote cheat. This is why Obama has not been able to win the BIG! states primaries. Even with Republican vote cheating help. Except North Carolina where 35% of the population is African American, and approximately 90% of them block voted for him. African Americans are only approximately 17% of the general population.
Hillary Clinton has been OUT MANNED! and OUT SPENT! 4 and 5 to 1. Yet Obama has only been able to manage a very tenuous, and questionable tie with Hillary Clinton. This is even more phenomenal when you consider she has been also fighting against the George Bush, Karl Rove vote fraud machine in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses. Hillary Clinton is STUNNING!.
If Obama is the democratic nominee for the national election in November he will be slaughtered. That is crystal clear now. Because all of the Republican vote cheating help will suddenly evaporate. And the demographics, and experience are completely against him. All of this vote fraud and Bush republican manipulation has made Obama falsely look like a much stronger candidate than he really is.
You will have another McGovern catastrophe where George McGovern lost 49 of 50 states. And was the reason the super-delegates were created to keep that from happening again. Don't let that happen to the party and America again super-delegates. You have the power to prevent it. The only important question now is who can best win in November. And the answer is HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON. That fact is also now crystal clear.
And YOUNG PEOPLE. DON'T BE DUPED! Think about it. You have the most to lose. As do African Americans. Support Hillary Clinton. She will do her best for all of you. And she will know how to best get it done on day one.
The democratic party needs to fix this outrage. Everyone needs to throw all your support to Hillary Clinton NOW! So you can end this outrage against YOU the voter, and against democracy.
The democratic party, and the super-delegates have a decision to make. Are the democrats, and the democratic party going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee to fight for the American people. Or are the republicans going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee through vote fraud, and gaming the DEMOCRATIC party primaries, and caucuses.
Fortunately the Clinton's have been able to hold on against this fraudulent outrage with those repeated dramatic, and heroic comebacks of Hillary Clinton’s. Only the Clinton’s are that resourceful, and strong. Hillary Clinton is your NOMINEE. They are the best I have ever seen. Probably the best there has ever been. :-)
“This is not a game” (Hillary Clinton)
Sincerely
jacksmith... Working Class :-)
p.s. Cynthia Ruccia - I'm with ya baby. All the way. "Clinton Supporters Count Too."
Posted by: jacksmith | May 24, 2008 6:17 PM
"DON'T BE DUPED AGAIN AMERICA !!!
IT'S ABOUT ELECTABILITY !!!"
Sorry sweetie, Hill/Bill are unelectable.
By the way, a short paragraph would be just fine to say what you have on your mind.
Posted by: politicaljunkie | May 24, 2008 6:50 PM
get outta here, Clinton. Jacksmith you have saturated every blog on every site since last year, and I know you are getting paid by the Clinton campaign. Your jedi powers are waning
Posted by: Shannon | May 24, 2008 6:53 PM
Jacksmith your comment had all the hallmarks of lunacy. PR is a great place and I'm glad Mr Obama made it down there to get some sun and of course to meet the people. He's going to make a fine president. The sooner they get to know him ona more visceral level the better.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | May 24, 2008 7:19 PM
The intellectual level of the reporter is best indicated by this howler:
"For Puerto Ricans, U.S. citizens with high levels of political awareness and voter turnout, ... the Democratic primary has provided a rare opportunity to participate in the political process."
A "rare opportunity"? Mr. Brown, Puerto Ricans vote ALL THE TIME. They "participate in the political process" ALL THE TIME. See the Puerto Rican election website for more:
http://electionspuertorico.org/home_en.html
Either Mr Brown is incredibly ignorant, or (more probably) he thinks the only "political process" that matters is a Dem Party primary.
Posted by: Bruce | May 24, 2008 7:40 PM
Obama supporters are delusinal if they think that their race-baiting,misogyny, and jerryrigging the nomination will go unnoticed or unpunished.
Obama's lack of experience, unsavory associates is why many of us are turned off by him. Exactly and Ironically because his own supporters' and the belligerence towards Hillary will be the blacklash against Obama.
Obama cheerleaders in the media
and the DNC=Do Nothing Camp shall not be condone.
Posted by: Boricua | May 24, 2008 7:53 PM
Ms. Clinton is unelectable. Look, she should have had this primary wrapped up months ago. With her name, her President hubby, money, and connections? She couldn't close the deal on a no name guy from Hawaii/Illinois? Wow. She sure sounds unelectable to me. As for the comment about repubs voting Obama. Not happening. That's what's going on with Clinton. Look, Florida's going republican and so is W. Va and Kentucky, as ususual. Clinton would get paddled by McCain in those states. Republicans weren't even thinking about Obama, the no namer. He was behind Clinton in every contest by 15-30 pts. before Iowa. He would go in campaign and close the gap by either winning or if he lost it would be by 5 pts. or less. I am voting Obama.
Obama 08!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Vegas | May 24, 2008 8:19 PM
jacksmith,
yeah, you may persuade few uneducated folks with your senseless rhetoric of fear.
Keep insulting the intelligence of Americans. Your candidate is losing support every day.
Posted by: Mark | May 24, 2008 8:38 PM
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
VOTE for Hill & Bill! Vote 1 get the other FREE!
Vote for someone who could NOT handle their campaign, let alone the nation!
Vote for someone who could NOT raise money for their campaign, let alone the economy of the nation!
Posted by: Monica | May 24, 2008 8:38 PM
Jacksmith, has anyone told you that your a bore?? Well, just so you now, you ARE a bore. Try an original thought once in awile instead of using the same old garbage over and over again.
Hilliary Clinton and the Presidency are NOT a good match. period.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 24, 2008 9:14 PM
Jacksmith; you are a deadbeat and a bore!
Hilliary and the Presidency are not a good match, period.
Posted by: NinaK | May 24, 2008 9:16 PM
Its a shame that the Senator from Chicago, show up in Puerto Rico to beg for some votes, so he can run for the presidency of the USA, but does not care that we second class USA citizen cannot vote for him, if he is elected. This only happens in Puerto Rico, the Oldest Colony in the world. But Senator Obama and wife do not care about our second class citizenship, they only want our votes, and will come back in 4 years.
Posted by: Humberto | May 24, 2008 10:25 PM
Its a shame that the Senator from Chicago, show up in Puerto Rico to beg for some votes, so he can run for the presidency of the USA, but does not care that we second class USA citizen cannot vote for him, if he is elected. This only happens in Puerto Rico, the Oldest Colony in the world. But Senator Obama and wife do not care about our second class citizenship, they only want our votes, and will come back in 4 years.
Posted by: Humberto Hernandez | May 24, 2008 10:27 PM
I agree with the comments about "jacksmith" Yikes, who let the cork out of his bottle! e may try to come back again under a different name,but I think we will all recognize him. In any event, my only comment is that, since the media has played such an important role in the public's opinion of the candidates, I suspect All About Hillary has dominated Puerto RIcan papers over the last several months. If Puerto Ricans are TRULY politically savvy, Obama may do a little better than the pundits have predicted. However, if Hillary still wins big time, it shows a populace still vulnerable to pander and demagoguery.(sp).
Posted by: tony | May 24, 2008 10:31 PM
Puerto Rico is for HILLARY!
Posted by: Brenda | May 24, 2008 10:38 PM
Arre there more women than men voting in Puerto Rico? I'm still laughing over Hillary's "misogynist" remarks, since it was women who pushed her as far as she got in the campaign, and unfortunately, voted for her for all the wrong reasons (e.g., like it's payback time to all the men who have stepped on them, heh heh). Do the women who voted for her realize that 55 percent of Americans said they distrust Hillary and see her as "dishonest.?" I suppose that 55 percent was comprised of all men.....
Posted by: lori | May 24, 2008 11:01 PM
Response to Obama's Speech to CANF in Miami:
I agree Senator McCain’s view of the Americas is out of touch, but so is telling CANF, sons of forces ousted from Cuba for crimes against humanity, that theirs is a legacy of conviction, commitment to freedom, and hard-earned prosperity.
Your message of freedom must first stand the constitutional test in Miami .
You spoke of freedom from fear, leaving out acts of terrorism perpetrated with absolute impunity against the people of Cuba; financed by CANF (by convicted terrorist Posada Carriles’s own account to the New York Times), costing more than 3,000 lives, and countless suffering.
You spoke of dissidents treated unfairly, yet this very week Cuba has put forth irrefutable evidence of convicted terrorists from South Florida sending those “dissidents” hefty contributions through the US Interest Section in Havana . That was a missed golden opportunity to attack the duality of Bush’s bogus war on terror.
You said injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Five Cuban political prisoners languish in US federal prisons for infiltrating organizations in Miami such as CANF, in order to avert acts of terrorism. They were unfairly tried in Miami and sentenced from 15 years to 2 consecutive life terms. This Administration continues to deprive them of basic human rights, while politicizing their case and squandering resources, in order to appease those applauding you in Miami .
You vowed to be a relentless advocate for democracy, but like Bush and McCain failed to define it, preferring instead to speak to fascists about Roosevelt ’s speech on the Nazis.
You called Hugo Chavez a demagogue. Yet, while Exxon makes record profits, Chavez sells natural gas to the poorest in our country at modest prices. Maybe you shouldn’t spend too much time with extremists Miami .
You spoke of freedom from fear in the America of Marti. Yet it was US meddlesome policies and expansionism that Marti taught us to fear the most.
While you are forced to raise millions of dollars to run for public office, Cubans can run for public office for free. While you promise to make health insurance available to all, Cubans enjoy one of the best healthcare systems on the planet, for free. While you promise to make college loans available, Cubans enjoy free education.
When I look at the coffee mug with your photo on it at work next week, I’ll blush.
Chronology of terror
http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/miami5/terrorismo/cronologia/index.html
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2008/mayo/juev22/felipe.html
Posted by: Babs | May 24, 2008 11:11 PM
Funny Obama didn't show his face in Kentucky but his out in Puerto Rico? WOW.
I'm not for Obama because he has not been senator for the state he was elected from.
Since he has been in office he has spent his time jockeying for the presidency. What a waste.
Posted by: Bob from Illinois | May 25, 2008 1:07 AM
The delegate countdown for Obama is down to 53. He'll pick up at least 30 pledged delegates in the last three primaries assumimg Clinton wins big in PR and Obama takes the other two by a narrow margin. That means he only needs 23 superdelegates out of approximately 200 uncommitted SDs left. Obama will probably get that many more before the PR vote.
Posted by: Tom O | May 25, 2008 1:52 AM
The delegate countdown for Obama is down to 53. He'll pick up at least 30 pledged delegates in the last three primaries assumimg Clinton wins big in PR and Obama takes the other two by a narrow margin. That means he only needs 23 superdelegates out of approximately 200 uncommitted SDs left. Obama will probably get that many more before the PR vote.
Posted by: Tom O | May 25, 2008 1:52 AM
Yes the Democ"RATS" are still at it.
Get out Hillary
Hillary is the One.
Obama is Great
Bill/Hill all the way
I just love it. Keep it up, show the voters what you really thing.
VJ Machiavelli
Posted by: VJ Machiavelli | May 25, 2008 2:23 AM
FACT: CLINTON WINS THE STATES THAT MATTER IN GENERAL ELECTION.
DONATE: hillaryclinton.com
Obama's Favorable Rating Drops!!!!
FOX News Poll: Nearly half of Democrats (48 percent) think Hillary Clinton has a better chance of beating McCain in November — 10 percentage points higher than the 38 percent who think Barack Obama can win
FOX News Poll: Wright Ties Hurt Obama Campaign
a majority of Americans (52 percent) says they care about the relationship between Obama and Wright, a look below the surface shows this issue is STILL influencing the presidential race.
In Kentucky, 8 in 10 Clinton voters... say they'd be Dissatisfied if Obama were the nominee; about 60% of Clinton voters in Oregon said the same. MORE Clinton voters in KY say they'd support John McCain than support Barack Obama. Obama lost West Virginia by more than 40 points, an enormous fall, voters who went against Obama — white, rural, older, low-income and without college degrees — don't just live in West Virginia. They live everywhere in the country, in places Obama needs to win in a general election. Lost in all the talk of the inevitability of Barack Obama's nomination is the fact that Hillary Clinton has a very compelling case of her own. The contorted Democratic primary significantly differs from an actual presidential election. Caucuses, which is proportionately favor young, vocal enthusiasts who are willing to stay up late in the night; superdelegates; unelected party officials who are free to ignore the
will of the people and proportional representation of delegates are all electoral processes that have no parallel in November.
If the Democratic primary were a winner-take-all contest based on electoral votes like the general election, Clinton would lead Obama 290-214. The fact that Obama has won the majority of states, most of which are small, or has a slight lead in the popular vote does not mitigate the fact that Clinton is by a large margin the more competitive candidate in a national election
It is a fact that no Democrat has won the White House since 1916 without winning West Virginia, Obama lost West Virginia by more than 40 points, an enormous fall, voters who went against Obama — white, rural, older, low-income and without college degrees — don't just live in West Virginia. They live everywhere in the country, in places Obama needs to win in a general election. In anticipation of the West Virginia primary, college students for Obama were hurling insults at farmers and truck drivers. Now we hear pained remarks from the Obama camp that many white men won't vote for any black. Oh really? No one was complaining during the early races in Iowa, Maryland, Virginia and Wisconsin, when most of the white male participants backed Obama. That was before the Rev. Jeremiah Wright ugliness became public. Obama's inability to persuade working-class white voters to back him points to serious problem for him in the presidential election. A large percentage of voters who backed Mrs Clinton said they would not vote for Obama in the presidential race if he becomes the nominee. Disrespecting the nearly 17 million who have supported Clinton is politically unwise, but turning them into "the enemy" is insane
http://www.dontvoteobama.net.
Surely proved if Obama would become Democratic nominee he will certainly lose the general election: Obama's camp philosophy of his cadre amount to one big put-down of America. President represents something very personal to Americans who proved they are not in the habit of electing candidates who hold their country in contempt. Not only have the comments of Obama's wife, Michelle who referred to America as "downright mean" and stated that she was not proud of her country until her husband started winning primaries and his minister, Jeremiah Wright (whose hateful, anti-white, anti-American diatribes are available for sale in Obama's church, or for free on YouTube) revealed the tired, leftist scorn for America that Obama represents and condones. Obamas own remarks have exposed this ugly, unelectable side.
Posted by: garrett | May 25, 2008 8:47 AM
jacksmith,
Empty barrels make the most noise!
Posted by: Dr. Jesse Kally-Williams | May 26, 2008 6:19 AM
Hey Humberto.... you show that there are uneducated people in Puerto Rico just like in Kentucky..... You complain that Obama came to the Island to get votes.... Get real Hermano !!!!!!
Posted by: Ron | May 26, 2008 9:27 AM
WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPPOSES YOUR RIGHT TO BE FREE!!
Puerto Ricans, whether they are called Independents (independentistas), Patriots or Nationalists or Freemen, who desire to be free, must always know that the federal government, here in the States has no “subject matter jurisdiction” over the person, case or location and should be challenged to proof it. These are magic words to learn when in Court for desiring freedom for your/our Country.
You won’t be told this in court but: All jury members, judges, attorneys, and employees working in federal court, must reside in federal territory to legally be a federal juror or touch your case or they can be commercially sued, disbarred and financially ruined for violating your constitutional rights etc.
Your god given right to be free is not wanted by the USA, it will oppose your desire for independence and freedom, because the Federal USA is a profit based Corporation.
The Federal Government is a District of Columbia “Corporation”, as are all the States of the USA. These Corporations were formed for the benefit of the real owners. Since June of 1933, everything since then, is under Contract law or commercial law, aka Admiralty law, to benefit your masters in power.
The Federal Government owns Puerto Rico as an ASSET, because it is a slave colony—whether you like the idea or not. But the Federal Government takes orders from those who own and run this (Corporation) Country, but are not of this country. The International Bankers, who really own the corporations called the USA, will let PR be free, only if enough real men of Boricua blood wish to be free, by reserving their rights under the Constitution. Their books will be adjusted and we will be free.
The answer to your freedom lies in your Constitutional rights --- To win --You must always reserve your constitutional, commercial rights and know what they are and how to do so.
The USA has been the biggest alien invaders the world has ever known. In order to win your freedom, you must oppose them by knowing that their weakness lies in their violations and in their treasons to the Constitution and to the common law and common law remedies.
The majority of Americans have no idea that the USA has killed more Latinos, than Hitler Killed Jews, The USA has supported Traitors, Dictators, Gringitos, Butchers, Sociopaths, and Megalomaniacs who were supported and kept in power by these monsters, sucking up to the Anglo Alien Invaders.
Latin America has had enough of this form of genocide of Latinos. That includes other African, Asian etc. countries that lost millions of innocent people from USA aggression.
I want to vomit every time some ignorant fools says: “If you don’t like it here –go home”.
If the Alien Invaders would get out of each and every Latin Country and stop interfering in our affairs—it would make sense to say such a stupid thing. But unless the (Feds) Snakes get out of Latin America-we have just as much right to be here!!! So, grin and put up with it—this was once our land.
A Puerto Rican without a desire for independence and/or freedom from alien control has no heart and soul of a man.
The fact that the public does not know that we are NOT free, makes no difference, to the desire to be free. The PR that wants Statehood is a Gringito, who has no soul of a man left in his traitor's heart. Freedom is happening all over the world and yet we allow Gringitos to kill our right to be free.
A Gringito is a non-Anglo THING, IT is not really a “person”, just like a mass murderer is more like an animal than a person, who internally is so inferior, that he desires to be what he can not be—thus Gringito means little gringo.
The Gringito is like an Uncle Tom to blacks or a collaborator and traitor to many others. To us he/she is all three and much worst. “It” is the enemy of freedom all thru out HUMAN history.
We allow the Alien Invaders to kill, harm, abuse, rape, and scam us and yet the Gringito wants to give our Country away.
This abuse must end. No man or woman is a real Man or real woman who is too scared to fight for their souls and be free. If you listen to the Gringito, you will lose your soul.
Thru out eternity Humanity owes its freedom from slavery, ONLY to brave souls who fought for your right to be free.
The fight will NOT succeed if you don't fight the Gringito enemy/traitor/collaborator at home first. He is there next door and claims he is a real man and tries to give you many excuses of why PR can't be a free Country.
To give away your/our/my Country is not a right of alien invaders, visitors or foreigners with NO Puerto Rican Blood.
The right to vote on THIS ISSUE should NOT be given to NON-Puerto Ricans.
The fight for the independence of Puerto Rico is now non-violent and will be won in the hearts of real men around the World.
The Ronbothunter,
A proud freedom loving Puerto Rican.
All Rights Reserved
Posted by: ronbothunter | September 20, 2008 6:53 AM