Hillary's Plan for Puerto Rico

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:15:47 PM EST
Tags: Puerto Rico '08 (all tags)

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Here is Hillary Clinton's plan for Puerto Rico. Hillary, Bill and Chelsea have been actively campaigning there all weekend. Today, they attended a Memorial Day celebration in Capitolis. She also is hosting conversations with Puerto Rico families in Bayamon and Guayama. Later she will attend a union rally for civil servants in Ponce and another event in San Juan.

Hillary has accepted an invitation from Univision for a debate with Obama on issues of import to Puerto Rican voters. [More...]

Both candidates say the issue of statehood should be left to Puerto Ricans to decide. Hillary adds,

"I will as your president on day one work with all of the factions here in Puerto Rico and with the Congress to enable you to determine your status by majority vote among all of the options that are available," she told several dozen supporters in this southern town on the Caribbean Sea. "I wish to get this accomplished within the first four years of my term."

Here is Hillary's full statement on Memorial Day.

Background on Puerto Rico's June 1 primary is here.

< Memorial Day | Castro Criticizes Obama's Planned Cuba Policy >

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Hillary's Plan for Puerto Rico | 57 comments (57 topical)

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Her plan should be to win by half a million (5.00 / 5) (#1)
by PssttCmere08 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:17:09 PM EST

votes...I have not given up on her....she has great ideas and she is more than qualified.

GO HILLAR

Well he campaigned there (none / 0) (#71)
by ChuckieTomato on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:25:35 PM EST

so Puerto Rico matters.

[ Parent ]

Yeah, but apparently didn't impress (5.00 / 1) (#79)
by FlaDemFem on Mon May 26, 2008 at 06:18:17 PM EST

This article talks about her visit..and the boos Obama got when mentioned.

"Obama was here twice," McEntee said, painting the Illinois senator as a Johnny-come-lately to the issues affecting Puerto Ricans. "Once to raise money. He was here for two hours, and he left, and he went on vacation. Then he came back this past weekend for two days, then he left again."

So maybe Obama thought Puerto Rico was worth his time, but it seems that he didn't convince them that he was worth their vote.

[ Parent ]

: I mentioned somewhere else that Puerto (none / 0) (#80)
by PssttCmere08 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 06:19:43 PM EST

Ricans would not be fooled by b.s.

[ Parent ]

Unfortunately (none / 0) (#84)
by JimWash08 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 07:07:14 PM EST

It won't matter for the DNC Meeting this Saturday. Hillary is projected to win BIG there, but it sadly won't be considered, or influential to the outcome of that meeting.

I'm not holding my breath on Obama showing up to a debate with her. He knows all too well that she'd wipe the floor, and possibly the walls too, with him. Not only would he tarnish his "presumptive nominee" title, it could affect his showings in South Dakota and Montana.

It makes me furious how millions of people overlooked her intellect, her electability and her grasp of the facts in the 21 debates and voted for him instead. She even outshone him in that "religion" forum.

Unfortunately for us, he will meet his equal (IMO) if he's the nominee, making the general election debates snooze-fests.

[ Parent ]

And do we know anything about (5.00 / 3) (#2)
by zfran on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:17:45 PM EST

Obama willing to debate her? I would watch, even if it's in Spanish. Rise, Hillary, rise!!!

lol...even if you don't understand spanish, (5.00 / 6) (#5)
by PssttCmere08 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:22:01 PM EST

I think you would be able to tell by obama's pained expressions if he is losing.

[ Parent ]

I can't imagine he'll accept (5.00 / 3) (#7)
by Valhalla on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:25:01 PM EST

which won't help him in PR.

So, I'm confessing, I've become a poll junkie. I haven't been able to find anything more recent than that early April poll that went 50-37 for Clinton. And I'm surprised about the lack of polls, I'd think the poll orgs would be all over this one.

[ Parent ]

I kind of doubt that polls are (5.00 / 2) (#16)
by frankly0 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:31:10 PM EST

very reliable in PR on an issue like a Democratic Presidential primary, given the complexity and the uniqueness of the politics there.

They can't even poll the states reliably, and at least they have some real concept of what the relevant demographic breakdowns might be. God only knows what the relevant breakdowns might be in PR on an issue like this.

[ Parent ]

: Yes, yes, yes but (5.00 / 2) (#17)
by Valhalla on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:33:25 PM EST

you missed the part where I'm a junkie. I know it's bad for me but I do it anyway. Enable me!

[ Parent ]

He can't afford any more debates (5.00 / 1) (#58)
by ruffian on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:04:55 PM EST

The last one darn near cost him the nomination.

[ Parent ]

Yes... You're right.... (1.00 / 0) (#75)
by EddieInCA on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:38:33 PM EST

...He's been bleeding Super Delegate support ever since.

[ Parent ]

: That's a joke, right?! I wish it weren't. (none / 0) (#76)
by MarkL on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:39:49 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Obama's campaign headquarters in PR said (none / 0) (#85)
by TomLincoln on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:42:12 PM EST

"we have not received an invitation to any debate from Univision." Of course, they refuysed to say whether the Senator would agree to such a debate, and Obama has remained mum.

[ Parent ]

I would be surprised if obama shows up for (5.00 / 6) (#3)
by PssttCmere08 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:21:05 PM EST

a debate. He will get trounced and he knows it, especially if he doesn't get the questions in advance.

What is he going to do in the GE (5.00 / 4) (#48)
by Virginian on Mon May 26, 2008 at 02:49:38 PM EST

when he has to debate McCain? Obama was MUCH better in the early dem debates with 8 or 9 candidates...one on one he is TERRIBLE!!! comes across as arrogant, dumb, aloof, and condescending all at once (its like the worst characteristics of a Kerry/Bush debate...but wrapped in one person)

[ Parent ]

"What HIllary sd." (5.00 / 4) (#50)
by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 02:52:25 PM EST

[ Parent ]

: Its a shame SNL caved to the (5.00 / 3) (#51)
by Virginian on Mon May 26, 2008 at 02:53:35 PM EST

Obama campaign pressure about that skit

[ Parent ]

Obama will not debate (5.00 / 6) (#4)
by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:21:39 PM EST

Hillary again. He's made that clear.

My guess is he doesn't debate, altho' (5.00 / 3) (#6)
by zfran on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:24:36 PM EST

I'm no psycic, however, I hope she goes on t.v. anyhow (and radio) to speak to P.R. without him.

The Debate Should Go On (5.00 / 5) (#11)
by talex on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:29:41 PM EST

without Obama.

They should just have an empty podium up there to highlight his absence.

If Obama thinks he has a Hispanic voter problem now, just wait until he ignores the Puerto Ricans and that word spreads.

[ Parent ]

: In his place, they could just show the (5.00 / 0) (#77)
by JavaCityPal on Mon May 26, 2008 at 04:06:19 PM EST

snipets of all the times he has given a different answer to each of the questions.
There's a video on Cuba where they show all the times he has said he will talk, and he won't talk. They have those flip flops on just about every issue.
If he thought they were going to do that, he'd show up. He'll still bungle it, but he'd show up.

[ Parent ]

He can't (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by cmugirl on Mon May 26, 2008 at 02:00:42 PM EST

Besides getting creamed by her in a debate, it would destroy his narrative of being the presumptuous nominee.

[ Parent ]

Fox has adorable footage of her (5.00 / 3) (#8)
by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:25:12 PM EST

in PR drinking an El Presidente, but I don't know how to link here properly.

And I like the pink blouse and.... (5.00 / 3) (#15)
by Maria Garcia on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:30:27 PM EST

...white slacks. That's what you wear in Puerto Rico. My mother would approve.

[ Parent ]

Drinking Coquito and munching a tostone (none / 0) (#22)
by PssttCmere08 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:39:29 PM EST

would be an added bonus!

[ Parent ]

: Too bad we didn't see the real Hillary (5.00 / 0) (#72)
by ChuckieTomato on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:31:57 PM EST

early in the campaign. She's seemed more relaxed and in her groove the past 3 months. Maybe it's the alcohol.

[ Parent ]

Good for the Clintons (5.00 / 0) (#62)
by ruffian on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:09:58 PM EST

All going there together and enjoying this last week of the campaign. They have certainly earned it. I hope turnout is huge and Hillary gets another 40% + victory.

[ Parent ]

: I mean the primary campaign! (5.00 / 0) (#63)
by ruffian on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:10:57 PM EST

I haven't given up on the GE!!

[ Parent ]

Ugh, now I have to go to the Fox site (none / 0) (#9)
by Valhalla on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:26:40 PM EST

I wouldn't (hate to give them hits) but you caught me at 'adorable'.

[ Parent ]

Oops, sorry, It's at thepage. (none / 0) (#12)
by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:29:47 PM EST

Fox footage though, I think.

[ Parent ]

: Thanks! (5.00 / 3) (#19)
by Valhalla on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:37:28 PM EST

Here's the link.

[ Parent ]

How to link (none / 0) (#78)
by waldenpond on Mon May 26, 2008 at 04:49:21 PM EST

Here's what works for me. link

[ Parent ]

Good rhythm! (none / 0) (#83)
by splashy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 06:48:25 PM EST

You can tell she knows music. Love that.

[ Parent ]

Just watched the video link (5.00 / 5) (#24)
by zfran on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:41:47 PM EST

and read the article (thx Valhalla). Hillary is really such a mench (a genuine human being).She relates to so many different people on all levels. What is wrong with people who only want to insult her?

I don't get it myself. (5.00 / 3) (#25)
by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:42:59 PM EST

Jealous maybe.

[ Parent ]

: Bingo (5.00 / 0) (#60)
by ruffian on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:06:16 PM EST

[ Parent ]

That was really cute (5.00 / 1) (#30)
by blogtopus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:53:01 PM EST

That little dance she did was REALLY adorable. Kudos

now why should sen. obama waste any (5.00 / 3) (#38)
by cpinva on Mon May 26, 2008 at 02:39:43 PM EST

more time debating sen. clinton? he's already answered every single possible question, about everything there is to know, and it's all on his web site.

i suggest two podiums: one for sen. clinton, and one for a pc, which will have sen. obama's campaign web site on it. when it's sen. obama's turn to respond, the moderater will just click on the link to the appropriate policy/personal biography section.

perhaps they could have a volunteer member of the live audience read it out loud. kind of make it sound as though he's developed a PR accent. i'm sure it would be appreciated by the entire population.

just a thought.

I would prefer that when it is the absent (5.00 / 1) (#57)
by Anne on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:02:34 PM EST

Senator Obama's turn to respond, however-many-minutes are allotted for his response pass in total silence.

Cricket-chirping optional.

The best part would be, "Senator Clinton, would you like to respond?"

[ Parent ]

: Anne....It would have to be the sound of (none / 0) (#74)
by PssttCmere08 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:35:27 PM EST

coquis croaking. They are all over Puerto Rico.

[ Parent ]

Good one -- or a VCR on a podium (5.00 / 1) (#70)
by Cream City on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:23:25 PM EST

playing an endless loop from the previous debates of all the times he just said, "I agree with Hillary."

Of course, then the debate would have to continue the msm's practice of overwhelmingly hitting her with questions first, then letting him do followup.

But this could, at least, keep his answers shorter, since he always took so much of her time to the point that even the moderators became uncomfortable about it. But they still would not stop the One from taking time allotted to the Other.

[ Parent ]

Waiting for BTD to tell us (5.00 / 0) (#59)
by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:05:18 PM EST

as much as he is comfortable sharing about politics in PR vis a vis this primary.

: I thought he'd done that once before? (5.00 / 2) (#68)
by Kathy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:18:35 PM EST

Of course, that was a while back, so maybe things have changed?
I dunno, there are so many crazy things going on right now, I'm not sure any of us know what will happen. I even postponed my trip so I could hear the verdict of the rule committee (yeah, I know, I'm sad and pathetic. Whatever.)

[ Parent ]

Senator from New York (5.00 / 1) (#82)
by karen for Clinton on Mon May 26, 2008 at 06:27:13 PM EST

comes to play strongly in PR. I lived in NY for 47 years and the excitement throughout the whole city at the annual PR Day parade was intense. There were flags everywhere and people honking horns and laughing and dancing in the streets.

I called my best friend today, a PR from NY and she was joyous PR is playing such an important role this year for Hillary. Who earned it.

The obamablogs that have dismissed PR as the latest "we can win without them" are ignorant as always to the big picture and the importance of inclusion in the history of the democratic party.

We always stood for the party of unity, it was one of the endearing traits of the party.

Ironic eh? He preached it and lost what we had.

San Juan Gay Pride (none / 0) (#10)
by DaveOinSF on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:29:03 PM EST

From what I understand, San Juan Gay Pride is also on Sunday. Is this going to undercut the turnout of the gay vote for Hillary?

Explain, please n/t (none / 0) (#14)
by Valhalla on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:30:24 PM EST

The election is on the same Sunday. (5.00 / 2) (#18)
by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:33:47 PM EST

I believe he's asking if Hillary's gay supporters will miss voting because they will be at the parade.

[ Parent ]

I would think it would be a great (5.00 / 4) (#21)
by Militarytracy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:38:45 PM EST

opportunity to car pool to the polls together.

[ Parent ]

I am sure there is plenty of time to vote before (5.00 / 3) (#23)
by PssttCmere08 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:40:15 PM EST

the parade, which I am sure is some party!

[ Parent ]

: I'd like to see HIllary, BIll, and Chelsea (5.00 / 0) (#47)
by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 02:49:15 PM EST

Clinton participate in the parade, complete with hillary.com signs.

[ Parent ]

I'd like to see a parade right to the polls (5.00 / 1) (#61)
by ruffian on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:07:24 PM EST

: Clinton was the first (5.00 / 2) (#67)
by Kathy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:17:12 PM EST

First Lady to march in a gay pride parade. God, I remember how that felt. It was like she was taking all of our hands and leading us forward.
Same things she's trying to do again, but this time with the entire nation.

[ Parent ]

Thank you, pls excuse my ignorance n/t (none / 0) (#20)
by Valhalla on Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:37:54 PM EST

Just put a ballot box on a couple of corners (none / 0) (#81)
by FlaDemFem on Mon May 26, 2008 at 06:25:18 PM EST

and they can drop in their votes as they parade by!! Democracy in action..real action. Heh.

[ Parent ]

This is not an open thread (none / 0) (#69)
by Jeralyn on Mon May 26, 2008 at 03:20:18 PM EST

The topics are the candidates campaigning in Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico primary.

Also, please stop the personal insults to the candidates.

Puerto Rico (none / 0) (#86)
by norris morris on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:17:56 PM EST

I believe Clinton will do really well in PR, and it's a significant sign as to how Latinos will vote in November.

Camp Obama has circulated the notion that Puerto Rica's vote doesn't count as they cannot vote in the general. More spin.

As the Obama spin continues, he does as little as possible to appeal to this group.

Obama obviously feels he has it made, as the fix is in and he'll just sail through the states Hillary won because of Democrats disgust with GOP.

So this may actually help Hillary's position in that she has received more votes and is more electable. But the party hacks have decided Obama, and I feel the issue breaker remains Fla and Mi and how they are counted.

Good luck Hillary.