Puerto Rican Poll Power

This race will be over before that happens. HRC is retreating to Ohio to make a stand. Like G. in Florida. By then, it will be too late.

Why would you assume Puerto Rico would vote for Hillary? Isn't it more of a male dominated society? I'd assume Obama wins easily...especially as a man of color.

Remember Puerto Ricans are not latino. Hillary's "latino" advantage will not come in to play here.

Do Not Assume Puerto Rico would vote for Clinton

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean Island. Its demographics are largely Hispanic and its dominant language is Spanish. But one should also not forget that the Spanish-Speaking Caribbean has a very significant population of people with African Heritage. The Hispanic population of the world is not monolithic, and comes from many interesting and diverse countries. In fact, Jesse Jackson won Puerto Rico once.

So do not award Puerto Rico to Clinton just yet. The very opposite may happen--Puerto Rico may put Obama over the top.

As far as I'm concerned I am a Puerto Rican Latina. How do you explain that Puerto Ricans are not latinos? Please educate me?

Puerto Rico and it's delegates

I am of Puertorican descent and have on ocassion live in the Island.

To clarify any doubts-- people in Puerto Rico in my opinion vote for the candidate they consider would do best for the Island (not necessarily based on skin color) they would vote for one that believes they are as american citizens as the ones living in the mainland. One who understands and empathizes with the Island's very distinct political situation.

Puerto Rican(US Citizens) vs Latino)

Betty Betty Betty... I can aswer this for you. You see you are a Puerto Rican Latina? from New York... you are a New Yorikan! We born and raised in the island, not the Bronx or Brooklyn or wherever in the states do not consider us Latinos.. but Puerto Ricans/ Hispanics/ Caribenos/ Borincanos... we are US Citizens.. usually and probably without reason people refer to Latinos as people of SouthAmerican Central american living in the US... hopefully this makes it easier to understand.. I am sorry if this sounds harsh but if you were born in the States and have parents from Puerto Rico you are American from that state not Puerto Rican.. But I will let our pride yours and mine accept any status you wish...

PS Obama has a better chance than Hillary specifically because of our Machismo!

PR Primary

Puerto Rico has a long history of having women as political leaders on our island. For example, Felisa Rincón de Gautier, the dynamic mayor of San Juan from 1946 to 1968 and Sila Calderon, First Female Governor. Thus, the Machismo argument is faulty.

Now as for Hillary and the Clinton's. We need to remember that it was a Clinton who used "Grenada-Like" pseudo force to remove protestors from the military base on Vieques.

Mr. Clinton wanted to show America how he could put those Puerto Ricans in their place. God forbid, as I, we have had numerous family members who have died of cancer due to the environmental wasteland on the Island of Vieques.

I was very surprised how the Puerto Rican elected officials in NYC, look like bobble-heads in their support for Hillary.

We need to be vigilant and not have a short memory.

I do believe Obama has a great chance.

Hillary

Well I have 120 family mebers in P>R and 118/120 support Hillary so KABAM! and my father is darkskinned and support Hilary and I'm Puerto rican and born there so KABAM! hillary will win!

Obama

Hillary supporter are latin (mexican) that come from European/Azteca decent. Puerto Rican have African, Spanish (spain), and some dutch decent. Puerto Ricans have close ancestory with African American. White American think that all spanish speakers are the same. This is why the think Hillary will do well in Puerto Rico. I know that some PR's have trouble excepting their African Ancestry (i.e. light complexioned PR's). But we has PRs must embrass it and remember that we are in the minorty like African Americans. We are better off helping a literal African (Obamas father) American(Obama's mother). He is a minorty and symbol to all Islanders that are mixed because of the habitation and control of our Island by the French,Dutch, African, and European invaders.

What's good for the U.S. is good for PR. Obama is the best candidate to move the country forward, stop the bickering and uncooperation between parties, and bring together Democrats, Republicans and Independents in order to get things done. He truly cares about providing quality education and affordable health care to everyone, not just the rich. He's had experience working closely with African Americans and Hispanics as a community organizer. He knows how to inspire and encourage people to be the best they can be. Obama is the President for the new millenium. VAMOS A VOTAR POR BARACK OBAMA!!! SI SE PUEDE!

Puerto Rican Poll Power

I don't know how many of those writing are "real" Puerto Ricans, that means, Ricans born and raised in the Island. For us, we are Boricuas who happen to be American citizens. We are so proud of being Boricuas that we will never be a state, even though we are also proud of discharging what we perceive to be the obligations coming from the American citizenship.

Yes, we are Hispanics, Latinos, and every other name that is used to describe those of Hispanic descent, and we are so proud of this that we have started to question the position of The US where it has to do with Hispanics. We hurt when we see the rampant racism in this country that allows Homeland Security to trample on the human rights of any person not born in the US, especially if he/she is of Hispanic roots. We are ashamed of being identified as Americans, especially when this identification may seem to separate us from our heritage.

Puerto Ricans know enough to vote for the best person, for this reason we had the first female mayor of a major city, our Doña Fela, and we also had a female governor. We have had plenty black legislators and mayors, although we have not had a black governor, juest because none have run yet.

I think that Mr Obama is a fine gentleman, an honest one, and it would be a credit to the US to elect him to what once was the most powerful job in the world, but now is just the most hated person in the world. I also think that the same would apply to Mrs. Clinton.

Still, I believe that either Mr. Obama or Mrs. Clinton would do a lot to start the US back into the list of respected nations of the world. Mr. Bush and his gang have done so much damage to this country that it may take decades for the world to look towards the US and see the country that, as part of the Allieds fought against the Axis proudly and justly. Today, we are just the ones who fought Granada, invaded a sovereign country, and murdered its political leader basing our actions in tenths of lies spoken by a man whose first and greatest lie is that he is a Christian!

Oh, I just saw a bumper sticker: "Clinton's lies did not kill anyone!"

The US has become a country without honor, if it had any, it would impeach Mr. Bush. Hey, I know that the Democrats wouldn't have the votes; the problem is that they do not even have the gumption to even try. And to think that we called the French and the Germans cowards because they stuck to their guns and decided not to fight in Iraq.

Obama wins

Understand that Obama was in Puerto Rico last month an a fund raising jaunt. he did quite well, I am told in that as well as in cemnting relationships with politicos there.

Puerto Rican Poll Power

(Funny thing, the drop-down state menu for posting comments here does not include Puerto Rico. Oh well.)

Although Puerto Rico is a territory with no presidential vote, its votes certainly could impact the final balance of this race much more than, say, American Samoa. Or in terms of numbers alone, more than Iowa or New Hampshire.

Puerto Rico is a most interesting case because its politics do not align necessarily with the blue state/red state dynamic, but along the lines of status preferences. Backers of the commonwealth status quo are overwhelmingly Democrat-leaning, such as Governor Anibal Acevedo-Vilá, while the statehooders are split between GOP sympathizers like the Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuño and Democrats such as former governor Pedro Rosselló. The Puerto Rican delegation has two co-presidents (one commonwealther, one statehooder) who have expressed that they lean toward Clinton, but many in the grassroots express enormous sympathy for the charisma of the Obama candidacy. His style evokes the Kennedy era which were the halcyon years in this Hispanic, mixed-race community, whereas the Clinton administration, though generally benign to Puerto Rico, is seen as suspect by those that resent his backing of Rosselló, whose 8 years of tenure have polarized voters here because of the widespread corruption of members of his administration.

The island is in a prolonged economic doldrums which the current governor, with a fiercely artisan legislature opposing him, has not been able to turn around, and its improvisation in tax matters has cost him critical support. The statehooders are bitterly split between Mr Rosselló, who decided to run again on a whim, and Mr Fortuño, who is the change candidate, but who is seen as indecisive and has the albatross of his unconditional backing of the Bush administration and policies which are widely reviled here. The statehood party will choose its candidate for governor in a March 9 primary

During the Bush years Puerto Rico has endured benign neglect, so high hopes are placed on whoever the Dems pick for 2008. Voters here know about razor-thin margins; the 1980 and 2004 elections were decided by a margin of less than 1%.Let's see if Mr Obama and Ms Clinton schedule flights for San Juan for something else than picking up donations. It would be very curious that the otherwise disenfranchised voters of this territory had the votes this summer to grant the nomination to the next President of the United States.

By the way, note to Florida congresswoman Virginia Brown-Waite (R-FL), who recently slammed Puerto Ricans as "foreigners" who should not be entitled to the tax stimulus passed by Congress this week:

U.S. citizens since 1917. Ponce de Leon, first governor, was the discoverer of Florida. Thousands of veterans dying and serving with distinction in American armed forces since WWI, and over 20K federal employees (I am one). If our economy is further strangled, more Puerto Ricans will resettle.. guess where? Mostly in the Sunshine State, over 60K in the Orlando area alone so far. Maybe this congresswoman will have to campaign in Spanish for re-election in a few years hence. Such is the law of unintended consequences.

Puerto Rican Poll Power

Its incredible that Popular Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, or politicians, like former gov. Rafael Hernández Colón and Gov Acevedo wants to participate in the Democtars Party Priamry but does not want puertoricans to have presidential vote. More incredible is that these "leaders" wants to perpetuate Puerto Rico actual status as a colony of the US because they do not want statehood, neither independence. This is absurd

Machism

I've lived on the States and on the Island, and from experience can tell you that i never experience discrimination based on my gender on the Island, but many people try to make my live impossible because my gender in the States. So Machism is not a problem in Puerto Rico, it IS a problem in the states. The first black Congresswoman Shirly Chisholm, said "I have been far ofterner discriminated against because I am a women than because I am black."

Polticians in Puerto Rico awake from the nap

Puerto Rican politicians here have realized this whole situation, and some are

beginning a mad dash to push change from a Democratic Caucus to a

island-wide Democratic Primary.The leaders of the New Progressive Party

(pro-statehood) support the idea and they control the legislature. The Governor

is from the Popular Democratic Party (status quo) and so far he is uncommitted

to the idea, but he supports Hillary. However, the Governor is quite unpopular

these days. If this plan succeeds, whoever wants those 63 delegates will have to

come over here and campaign. This thing is wide-open ...

primary in PR

I am from Ponce, PUERTO RICO. I have lived on the island 30 yrs. straight. Now I live in Wash. DC . only 18 months. I am here for work and study purposes.

In PR you will never , not even close, FEEL the way

"white america "stereotypes and discriminates againts any other person that does not follow their "MOLD". Here it is felt every single day......

Getting back to politics, I was recently interviewed by a local newspaper, about the primary issue, I responded that in PR the Democratic Party is very strong , and the long standing relationship with the Kennedy family will beyond doubt, their sponsorship

with Obama is a stiking force............

Puerto Ricans are not latinos?

Ricardo, Ricardo, Ricardo: I can not accept your explanation of Puerto Ricans not being latino/a. Coincidently I was born in Puerto Rico and my children were born here in the state. We consider ourselves Puerto Rican-American as well as latinos. Can someone else explain to me why Puerto Ricans are not considered latinos/. For me it was a toss up between Hilary and Osama until I got to the voting booth. They both share many of the same views so when it came down to the wire I went for Hilary, because as a women I can relate to her more while at the same time as a minority I can to relate to Obama. I found that many of my friends and family had the same problem.

Puerto Rico Poll Power

I'm a puertorrican living in Puerto Rico and I'm pro statehood of Puerto Rico. I just want one thing and that is that Obama or Clinton come personally to Puerto Rico and make commitment with us directly face to face so they can then get our 63 sweet delegates!

Puerto Rico electing the next possible president?

I am a born and raised Puerto Rican who lives in the states.

Guess why? because politics and the politicians in Puerto Rico are all corrupted. Not a single governor or ex-governor has done anything good for Puerto Rico so I had to move here looking for a better quality of life. So it is very scary that Puerto Rican politicians are probably going to be the ones deciding who will run for president in the Democratic party when they don't even understand, in their majority, the politics here in the USA. They don't even understand the politics of Puerto Rico or at least that is what it seems like since things over there have been worsening with each new Governor.

They all, as far as I remember, have been accused of some corrupt act mainly to financially benefit themselves, family members or friends/contributors. Also it sounds absurd to me that Puerto Rico who is not allowed to vote in the presidential elections is going to decide who we (presidential voters) are going to vote for.

I am sorry but it seems all wrong to me. "O te peinas o te haces rolos."

Over ther it is not a matter of machismo or african heritage or if it is going to be the first woman commander in chief or the first African American President. All that matters is from whom they will get more benefits from. Who will play their game the way they wanted played. That is the politicians game because honestly the general population does not know enough to have an educated opinion about the subject.

So good luck USA if Puerto Rico is going to elect your possible next president. Look how things finally turn arround!

ya

Please, Hillary isn't retreating anywhere, plus, any comparisons to the Guiliani campaign are kind of unwarranted since Rudy wasn't leading in delegates 3/4's of the way through the primary when he decided to count on Florida.

Hillary would easily carry Puerto Rico, talk about strong demographics.

Is it really winner-take-all?

In looking at the document that describes the delegate selection process, it seems little different from that of other states/territories. I don't see the clause in there that says it's winner-take-all. It seems as though the district-level delegates (of which there are 36) should be able to split proportionally, while the At-large and Party leader delegates could go all to one candidate. Or not. Doesn't sound like the doomsday scenario described in the above article. I also don't see the rest of the Democratic party allowing this to pass, with only one territory going as a winner-take-all process, while everyone else goes proportional.

Facts

We Puerto Ricans earned our citizenship for the priviledge of participating in the first world war. That was the reason we were given the right to be US citizens. We have certainly paid with the blood of many Puerto Ricans who have valiantly given their life so that our nations could be at peace. For the gentleman that ignores the fact that in Puerto Rico we have about 20% of bilinguals living in the larger metro area, please go and study our demographics.

When Bill Clinton was president Puerto Rico (like the US) was economically sound and you can bet that Hillary Clinton would get a resounding victory when the time comes.

HOPE&CHANGE

Could it be irony,a U.S. territory with the possibility of deciding the Democratic Primary candidate.For us (Puerto Ricans) it's not only because

Mr.Obama is black or the importance of being a native Hawain, a state out of the continental U.S., but the fact of bringing hope again to the table for

so many people in this nation.Were sick of politicians playing games with

real issues such as war,healthcare,economy and yes imigration.Our pledge is for a man of truth,the one with real answers for real problems.

(!SO LET'S REALEASE OUR PAIN GETTING ON THE TRAIN OF CHANGE!)

OBAMA PRESIDENT 2008

Puerto Rico is part of the US since 1898. Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917 extended by a law called the Jones-Shafroth Act (or Jones Act). President George H.W. Bush issued a memorandum on November 30, 1992, to heads of executive departments and agencies establishing the current administrative relationship between the Federal Government and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. This memorandum directs all Federal departments, agencies, and officials to treat Puerto Rico administratively as if it were a State. Residents of Puerto Rico pay U.S. federal taxes: import/export taxes, federal commodity taxes, social security taxes, etc. Most residents do not pay federal income tax but pay federal payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare), and Puerto Rico income taxes.

Puerto Rico will vote by the candidate that the we consider would do best for the Island, specially interested on their position on the Political Status of the island. The Democratic Party 2004 Platform indicates the following: "We believe that four million disenfranchised American citizens residing in Puerto Rico have the right to the permanent and fully democratic status of their choice. The White House and Congress will clarify the realistic status options for Puerto Rico and enable Puerto Ricans to choose among them".

The Republican Party 2004 Platform indicate the following: "We support the right of the United States citizens of Puerto Rico to be admitted to the Union as a fully sovereign state after they freely so determine. We recognize that Congress has the final authority to define the Constitutionally valid options for Puerto Rico to achieve a permanent non-territorial status with government by consent and full enfranchisement. As long as Puerto Rico is not a state, however, the will of its people regarding their political status should be ascertained by means of a general right of referendum or specific referenda sponsored by the United States government

I think Puerto Ricans are very fond of the Clintons and would be happy to vote for Hillary. They have already elected a female governor, so gender will not be an issue in this race.

My guess is that Puerto Ricans aren't convinced that Barrack Obama would do anything for them.

Puerto Rico is important

It truely would be ironic if Puerto Rico ended up ultimately deciding the democratic nomination. Although i still have doubt on whether it will go on that far the way things are setting up after this weekend it may just be the difference will be less than 60 come june 3rd. As a biracial person of puerto rican and african american decent born and raised in a puerto rican community the possiblity of Puerto Rico being the decicion maker is exciting.

If it does come down to Puerto Rico, puerto rican on the island, while picking the candidate who they believe will best campaign for their needs must also take this time to carefully examine Puerto Rico's relationship with the US. We both here in the states and on the island have become so comfortable with the "arrangement" made between the US and PR we forget thaT Puerto Rico ultimatly is still a colony, we forget about how many puerto ricans have lost their lives courageously fighting america's wars, and how puerto ricans just like african american's have long been neglected in the states. Puerto Ricans are treated like second class citizens and they must use this time to stand up for themeselves and demand that they are either given equality or sovereignty. Remember Puerto Rican men and women are risking their lives and dieing in iraq a war they have nothing to do with and did not choose.A war for oil if nothing at all. Many people say Puerto Rico is so dependent on the US that if the relationship was ended Puerto Rico will fall into extreme poverty and would not be able to support itself. If you just educate yourself you will find out just how valuable puerto rico is. In the age of global warming the world must find and alternative source of fuel. The Brazilians have for decades used sugar cane as an alternative enegy source and have become very energy effeicent. Well.... in the past Puerto Rico's main crop has been sugar cane. As America relizes corn is too expensive it may look south for sugar. Puerto Rico may have an oppurtunity to become a leading center for this industry. It may be more important to the US in the near future and the time is now for Puerto Rican's to realize their equally important place in this country's future. Puerto Rico is truely unique in this world

Hillary vs Obama

I notice Hillary has three Puerto Rican superdelagates and Obama has none.

Politicians and Puerto Rico

I like all of you guys conversations. You are all really smart and I thank you all for sharing your great thoughts. First I will like to examine the conflict between Puerto Ricans and Nuyoricans. Puerto Ricans on the island say that we are different that "we can't relate to them" because our cultures are different and other things. Okay so lets take a look at Obama and Hillary. How are they any different from Nuyoricans. What I'm trying to say is that they don't relate to us and we live here in America so how is it that they can relate to Obama and Clinton since they both are Americans? They have an American culture that's completely different from that of Puerto Rico. Also Puerto Rico is Latin American since we speak Spanish and not English. 63 delegates? Searching for Puerto Ricos best interest? Thats interesting since when has it been the norm to really believe what politicians say to us? If I told you that the world is flat would you believe me? How many times have politicians send we are going to do this and do that? And most of the time it never happens. lol You see I'm more of the type of person who like to watch and observe. Once the president has the power everything they campaigned for goes out the door. Depending on the circumstances of the situation.

I agree that Puerto Rico is not bias on color and gender.

I predict a backlash by Puerto Ricans who will become frustrated with the American culture and hoop dreams deflated by the next President that would look towards the best interest of Puerto Ricans. Thats like a Nuyorican going to Puerto Rico telling them we are going to do this and that and not know the people and culture in Puerto Rico.

Also none here have mentioned the Taino blood line that actually is pretty high. I give you that data if any one wants it?

I agree with the Senator we are foreigners.

We are a nation we have had our own stamps and federal institutions. Spain gave us autonomy. Lets not forget that.

America took us as spoils of war.

But anyone who knows politicians know their dirty laundry.

American Presidents have the interest of English speaking American citizens. Also even if Puerto Rico becomes statehood welfare would create an unbalance in Puerto Rico economy. Think about that how many Puerto Ricans would be on welfare programs? How would that affect Puerto Rico economy. So one thing is that if we are compared to any state in America it would be Mississippi being within the poverty rate. Just Imagine an unbalance economy in Puerto Rico. I smell Revolution do you?

Ans to you question

And to ans. your question Puerto Ricans would vote Democrat. Most of them would likely vote for Barack Obama. Think about the economic poverty that exist in Puerto Rico.

Everyone knows Republicans represent the Rich and Wealthy.

Ask Puerto Ricans if they are democrats and Republicans and if they tell you Republican you should take it as a joke. jaja

That can be actually a good political joke. Can you find a Puerto Rican Republican? lol

Are Puerto Ricans Latinos?

I hope it is not too late to answer the question Betty Cruz-Roman of NY

posted a few days back regarding being Puerto Rican Latino. Don't let any one else tell you other wise we are Latino first and American citizens second. Might be the reason why we are treated as second class citizens. Our native language is Spanish our history has always been connected with Latin America we are Latinos. What unites us to the USA is the Jones act of 1917 that after a US invation in 1898 granted citizenship to Puerto Ricans, also understand that although Puerto Ricans in the island vote for primaries they do not vote in November. There are plenty of books and materials in NY to read about this topic. Do a search for a place call Cemi Underground this Friday they will celebrate the birth of Julia de Burgos an internationally known Puerto Rican Poet. Keep asking, keep searching. And never turn your back and your Latino heritage.

Prisionera of New York - "I am Puerto Rican/latina"

To Prisionera of New York. Thank you for your clarity on what I always felt in my heart. That I am Puerto Rican and latina and no one can take that away from me. I certainly hope that previous writers Ricardo Sanchez and Mark of Ca read this, I wonder if they are Puerto Rican.

Getting back on focus I believe Hillary will win the primaries of Puerto Rico Overwhelminly.

What was Obama's margin of victory in the USVI? Hispanics are not a single voting block. Cubans are not Mexicans are not Puerto Ricans are not Dominicans.

I wouldn't write off PR for Clinton quite yet.

But I doubt it will come to this. If Clinton loses Virginia tomorrow, then she's done.

I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Came to Washington, DC 15 years ago just feeling like a person from Oregon moving to Washington for work reasons. I feel I am an American that was born in Puerto Rico. I love my culture, my Spanish, my food and my beach in a hot summer day. I love that my kids have an old fort to go play called El Morro. But don't get me wrong, I am first and foremost, an American. There is a moment in your life over there that you take the decision, do you stay being a minority and second class citizen calling yourself a latina, or you feel you are as strong and good as any other American that doesn't want to be put in the box of the minorities? You make the choice and it liberates you of 100 years of karma. That is the biggest problem over there. I hope someday all puertoricans realize that. Regarding voting for Obama, don't dream too much, I know my people, and they will never, ever vote for Obama, and you puertoricans know what I am talking about. That is Hillary country!

american and hispanic

American and Hispanic, Why? I'm from PR and had the chance to live in Mexico for 4 years. I know the value of my US citizeship out of the island and the main land and the advantage of the dollar, the embasy, etc, and the "strength" that comes with it. Going to migration gates with the certaincy that I belonge to the the other side(US). I also had the chance to bond and become accepted as equal for being also hispanic. We are unique and have the oportunity to enjoy the advantagesand disadvantages of both. Now that is not the issue, we need a chenge and a polititian we can trust, we can put our hopes on. After spending time reading the past work and roles on important issues of Hillary and Obama and their platforms, I had to choose Obama. It's sad we can not vote for the president that decides if our young men go to war or not, or the senate the handles our social security and tax money. But history might put in our hands the decision of who will be our next president. Barack Obama is the candidate that the american people should vote for on November and the one we shall vote for in June.

Unfortunately, they will vote for Hillary

Please take into consideration the fact that POLITICAL leaders decide here (San Juan). If you read the article it clearly states tradition in PR is for THEM, polititians, to decide. And, unfortunately, there is no analysis to it, they will pick the candidate that offers them something, the candidate that makes them feel closer to power, they do not care that a LOT of people, like me, are for Obama, they will pick Hillary. Nothing to do with issues, skin color, gender, campaign...they just want to support the status quo, as usual, and feel important. They -senate's president, representatives, etc- are plegged to her before anybody else.

Puerto Rico and it's final decolonization with Obama

Well, Puerto Rico has now the opportunity to end the colonial relationship with the US. I think Obama will understand that Puerto Rico, as a latin american nation, needs it's sovereignty and will help to develop the actual status of Puerto Rico (self governing country in association with the US as a commonwealth) towards full sovereignty just like Puerto Rico's governing party wants. The actual head of government , Acevedo Vilá, does not favor anyone, following the ex head of government Sila Calderon political philosophy, they do not believe Puerto Rico as a nation needs to engage in US election primaries (something those favoring US statehood do like) The pro-US statehood party (Partido Nuevo Progresista)delegates likely to favor Hillary Clinton. In Puerto Rico the US-Democratic party is a franchise (a private club sort of) that has delegates from 2 parties (PPD (favors free association compact) and the PNP (favors annexation to the US as a state) ) and delegates can be handpicked by the PPD and PNP party official members without the necessity of votes in primary or caucus.

Puertorrican Poll Power

I am Puertorrican, borned in Puerto Rico, I am a Latino, I live in Puerto Rico and I regret not having the honor of making a real difference in this World by voting in November 2008 for Barack Obama.

Barack is the Preident that not only the USA but the whole World needs, actually, Americans would demostrate they trascended.

If we get to vote in a caucus or in a primary, (since it is still under discussion by the local congress whether they approve the 5 million dollars the election would cost us) it is obvious that more than voting for him, being a physician, I will make my greatest time effort to campaign for him and there are thousands like me.

Yes we can! Si podemos!

Puerto Rican Poll Power

Betty, I'm glad that you did not accept the term of Ricardo and Mark. There are many prople who exclude Puerto rican (because of our islands complex relationship to the mainland) and Dominican Republic (because of it geological footings/immidiate neighbor) when referring to latin america, however they are wrong. Latin america, as defined by the UN and most dictionaries, refer to "those territories in the Americas where the Spanish or Portuguese languages prevail: Mexico, most of Central and South America, plus Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.

Strictly speaking, Latin America can designate all of those countries and territories in the Americas where a Romance language (i.e. languages derived from Latin, and hence the name of the region) are spoken: Spanish, Portuguese.

The problem that we sometimes have is that we allow ourselves to be categorized and/or defined by other definitions of a Puerto Rican. You, my sister, are one of our many exceptions.

In conclusion, when identifying yourself, continue identifying yourself and a PUERTO RICAN or a LATINA and those who know better will know that you are an strong american women with a beautiful, mixed spanish heritage!!!!

PS although I planned to vote for Obama, I finally went with Clinton because of her co sponsored bill, in the senate, to bring to the agenda senatorial debates/resolution to PR political relationship with mainland US, and also, because of her work with Nadia Navaro (d-ny) and others on the Viequez bombing issue. I was also not impressed to read in the Puerto Rico papers that Obama spent only two hours in Puerto Rico during a fundraising campaign which yeilded his camp $250,000, and when ask about the future of PR, in relation to settling the statehood/commonwealth/independence issue, he gave a general response (no plan) and did not want to speak any furture with the media.

Puerto Rican

"I am first and foremost, an American. There is a moment in your life over there that you take the decision, do you stay being a minority and second class citizen calling yourself a latina, or you feel you are as strong and good as any other American that doesn't want to be put in the box of the minorities?"

Like Diane, I am empowered, although my empowerment is not derived from being "American". I am empowered by the fact that I am a strong Puerto Rican women (yes, that means i'm automatically american). Now don't get me wrong. I love my America. I love that I live in an upper middle class neighborhood in New Jersey; I love that I elected to further my options by continuing my education; I love that my husband and I can afford to educate our children and offer them things that we did not have growing up. I love that by being a member of this great imperfect nation I have been able to achieve a great deal.

What I love the most is that like Diane I am home, home in america. However I classify myself, I expect others to be accountable. From the sales person on the floor, to hotel staff, to educators, to those who where elected to represent me in our government-the politicians, I expect/demand respect. That has nothing to do with being PR or American. Rather it with having a strong sense of self. I am not a second class citizen nor would I tolerate anyone's presumptions that I would allow them to treat me in a manner.

What I do realize is that by being a block, whether latino or Puerto rican, Mexicans, Dominicans, etc., we can get so much more done together. I also realize that by definition of my skin tone, other will want toremind me of where I'm from. I simply let them know where I from while asserting that is is my land just as it is there's.

Unlike Diane, I don't want to be part homogeneous society, that is not my America. My America is made up of Italians, and greeks, and africans, Irish , Indians, and many more.

It's funny how my american born Italian and greek friends identify themselves as Italians or greeks while they've been here for generations and no one takes issue with it, meanwhile this conversation of pr or american continues to be an issue.

I Can't separate one from another. I am just as Puerto Rican as I am American. One not being any more important than the other. As my sister like to say "as american as apple pie and as puerto rican as rice and beans.

PR: Obama or Clinton?

I am a Puerto Rican woman, 24 years old, and if I could, I would vote for Barrack Obama.

However, I feel that Clinton has a better chance to win because the Democratic party in PR has already issued memos to its members to back Clinton. Plain and simple.

I'm a Puerto Rican from Puerto Rico and if the day arrives my vote will go for Obama. But the truth is that most Puerto ricans like to think of themselves as whites. Forgeting where we came from and wich are our roots. Most Puerto Ricans and hispanics in general are racist and they forget to take a look in the mirror from time to time. That's why most of the hispanics are supporting clinton on this election. Therefore don't be surprised if Puerto Rico gives Hillary the majority of the votes.

Voter Registration

Lets take a closer look at our election process in America. I like the idea of Utopian voter elections. But the truth is that their has been evidence of fraud in America election process. One example of that fraud can be seen in our current president. Mr Bush who was voted in my a very small margin. With the help of Batista supporters that are mostly located in Florida. Their have been Senators who have been asked to update their voter machines. I personally witnessed two different types of voting machines in two different locations. Their has also been reports of Democrats party members having held the boxes of voter ballots. Their is plenty of resources out their to find out the process of how the ballots get counted. Lets take a look at the company who sets up the ballot count. No federal or government agency knows the code of the machines. Only the private owned corporation's is basically the only ones allowed to process the vote.

Wow talk about assimilation lol you just said shes a strong American women.

The ans. is simple if your born in America your American.

If you born in Puerto Rico you Puerto Rican.

Puerto Rico is part of Latin America so that means your part of Latin America.

Puerto Rico is Spanish Speaking.

Puerto Rico post

I am fascinated by the large number of comments on this post. Samuel Robles has presented a pretty good picture of the conflicts in Puerto Rico politics. I have been an observer or participant in Puerto Rico politics (a participant as a political consultant from 1976 to 1980) and know that the differences between the Popular Democrats (PPD), the party that favors Puerto Rico's current status or some variant on it, and the New Progressives (PNP), the party that favors statehood, are fundamental. Moreover, there is huge polarization between the parties in Puerto Rico--much more than on the Mainland, even during the 1996-2004 years. PNP voters think the PPD politicians are all scoundrels; PPD voters think the PNP politicians are all scoundrels, all with no exceptions and no qualification. I wrote a U.S. News column on this, http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-11_14_05_MB.html, Politics Puerto Rico style, in November 2005.

I am informed by the commentary to this piece and by a phone call from the Washington Post's fact check reporter Michael Dobbs that the Puerto Rico delegation this year is bound by the national Democratic party's proportional representation rules and that that means the Puerto Rico delegation will not end up 63-0 for one candidate or another. I take the point--up to a point. The information I have, seemingly confirmed by some of the post here, is that the Puerto Rico politicians who identify as Democrats--virtually all PPDers (except former Governor Sila Calderon, who told me she was neutral on Mainland politics) and many PNPers (but not including Delegate and governor candidate in the primary Luis Fortuno, who identifies as a Republican)--are at least tentatively for Hillary Clinton.

That could change. We are in a period, I think, of open field politics, and politicians as well as voters are moving around. But what this suggests to me is that the leading PPD and PNP Puerto Rican politicians (with the important exception of Fortuno) are likely to end up pro-Hillary, and that for all their vigorous in-Island disputes they are likely to produce a delegation which, while subject formally to the national Democrats' proportional representation rules (which Puerto Rico politicians, accustomed to winner-take-all situations, even with, as one commenter noticed, some very close general election results) is going to produce a big advantage for Clinton in the 63-vote Puerto Rico delegation. Quite possibly a bigger advantage for her in California or for Obama in Illinois.

That's a guess. We'll have to wait for June to see what really happens. But I think a lot of people on the Mainland don't understand the impulse toward unity and winner-take-all in Puerto Rico's quite sophisticated (but different from the Mainland, or the Democratic Mainland) politics. They like to be unanimous. They see in unanimity strength. They are concerned about, usually more than anything else, the issue of the status of Puerto Rico--a concern that is perfectly rational considering Puerto Rico's situation.

My blogpost was inspired in part by my memories of the 1980 Democratic National Convention. A lobbyist of my acquaintance (I'll spare you his name) was in charge of managing the Puerto Rico delegation for the Carter campaign. The Kennedy campaign, with 40% of the delegates, was determined on forcing all kinds of votes on credentials, rules, platform or the time of day to gum the Carter people up. I watched on the flooor the convention as my friend managed the Puerto Rico delegation on one such vote. He caught the eye, over several intervenng delegations, of the head of the Puerto Rico delegation, the PNP Governor Carlos Romero Barcelo, who was strongly pro-Carter. He put his thumb up or his thumb down, depending on how he wanted Puerto Rico to vote. When the roll was called Puerto Rico voted 56 [or whatever the number of delegates it had that year] to nothing for the Carter position.

No agonizing about whether the position of this procedural vote was out of line with general party principle. No interest in the intellectual arguments for and against the position. No curiosity whatever about the issue at stake. 56 to nothing, on one thumb.

In the Democratic selection process this year, Puerto Rico won't operate in quite so brassy a manner. But it could exert leverage entirely outside its numbers.

Having said all this, let me add that I have considerable respect for most Puerto Rico politicians of both island parties, that I have respect and gratitude for the Puerto Ricans who have volunteered to serve their country and who have, in disproportionate numbers, died in its cause, that I am glad that the people of Puerto Rico by overwhelming margins have rejected the option of independence and have indicated they want to continue being part, though a qualified part, of the United States. We on the Mainland (and in Alaska and Hawaii, if that term doesn't include them) are lucky to have them.

But the political traditions and the political behavior in their robust democratic politics is in important ways different from the traditions and behaviors in the Mainland, particulary in internal Democratic party matters. Which means that Puerto Rico could play a part disproportionate to its population or its share of the Democratic National Convention delegates in the selection of the Democratic nominee for president.

I recommend very many of the comments for readers who want to understand why the ethnic and racial categories seem to be different in Puerto Rico from the Mainland. There's a lot to learn from all sides here.

PR POLL POWER

I agreed with the writer when he said that DNC will scramble and asked the supper-delegates to solve the matter. Why you think PR primaries is the last one to take place. The answer is, that way Puerto Ricans do not stand a chance to be part of the election process to choose the candidate for president. They would rather have Florida and Michigan celebrate another primary than letting Puerto Ricans be the ones to determine who the next democratic candidate for president would be. That shows how much they want Puerto Ricans Islanders to take part of the political process of this country. They at the bottom of the list for primaries, because they were “sure” that the opportunity for the Puerto Rican Islanders to decide who the candidate for president for the Democratic Party would never come. And you know what they were right if not for the mistake of stripping Michigan and Florida delegates. I f they would it count those two states, PR’s opportunity, would not be there now. But again, I don’t think that that opportunity would materialize, because supper delegate will take care of the matter before that happens. Shame on those politicians and shames on PR’s politicians for getting involved in the politics of the DNC where they are not genuinely welcome. PR’s will not stand a chance on deciding who the democratic candidate would be.

Stop the Puerto Rico Party Machine for Hillary

I'm a gringa Latina (raised in US by a Peruvian mother and look "American") who has lived and worked in PR for 10 years as a newspaper journalist and a unviversity professor and after listening to am radio and print and TV media discuss this issue here for weeks, I want to report that it appears as if Hillary Clinton has Puerto Rico in the bag, "está planchado," so to speak.

There seems to be no clear lines to the Democratic Party and Republican Party leadership on the island (Romero Barceló was a Democrat; Myriam Ramirez campaigned for Bush padre; Fortuno is a Republican, McClintock is one of the chairmen here for the Democratic Party and the upcoming promary, another is Roberto Pratts, the ex candidate for Resident Commissioner for the Popular Democratic Party, etc.) A neighbor of mine, the PIP representative Victor García San Inocencio, told me cynically a few weeks ago that it's just another "juego colonial" here among the Statehood and Commonwealth parties to divy up delegates and loyalties in Washington, D.C.

Apparently every sector of both parties has already decided this in smoke-filled rooms!

One thing that has marked Obama's campaign, and has led such luminaries as Caroline Kennedy and the Nobel laureate Toni Morrison to endorse him, is the record number of new voters he has drawn out into

these primaries for the first time. His visit to Puerto Rico seemed to have been nothing much more than a puddle jump to collect fundraising money, but the federal press, the internet, his speeches on YouTube, and especially his impressive recent wins have piqued interest more broadly here. Pro-Obama signs are starting to turn up!

If the primary in PR is a pie being divided up by a few insiders (excuse me but they are all cronies in my book), a movement on the island must confront that, in the press if necessary. Indeed a large group connected via the Puerto Rico group on the Barack Obama official website (and also now on Facebook) has already begun to formally organize.

It's bad enough that Puerto Ricans on the island are disenfranchised as second-class citizens when it comes to presidential elections (I have voted in presidential elections for 20 years, but now that I am a resident of the island, I have not been able to in two previous presidential elections). Why should we tolerate the presidential primaries here being habitually hijacked by and solely for the PR political parties? We simply shouldn't accept that.

We have time between now and June 1 to do SOMETHING. If Obama's idealistic, indeed utopian, message is about anything, it's about taking the

process that voters like I have become so alienated from back into our own hands.

I'm glad I'm not the only Obama fan in Puerto Rico that wants to exercise the little voting right they have here in the federal election, and make it count!

Some facts...

So many facts so wrong! I'm a Puerto Rican (born in PR) living in Atlanta, GA.

1- It is assumed that they will vote for Hillary because Puerto Ricans have STRONG ties (family ties) with New York. Have anyone of you seen how Puerto Ricans and Newyoricans voted on the New York primaries?

2- And I'm so sorry to burts your bubble but Puerto Rico is more likely to vote for a woman that many many of the States. We already had a woman as a governor.

3- Most Puerto Ricans (80%) identify themselves as white.

4- Most Puerto Rican identify themselves as latino. Why? Their Spanish heritage and languange.

And please before starting to talk about something you dont really know at least use Wikipedia for reference. At least...

Hilary win would not surprise...Obama would

it could be possible for Hilary to win. I was recently there and held conversations with several people high in society and they all favor Hilary. You know that most of these delegates will be people who are well in the society. I personally favor obama, but if you live in Puerto Rico you need to remind yourself that the puertorican "elite society" and middle class are still a bit racist. For example they prefer their puertorrican daughter to marry anything but a black man. Taking that example into account it would not surprise me to see Hilary as the winner in Puerto Rico. What would surprise me is an Obama win... This because he went to PR in Nov where he raised 100,000 but left a crowd of puertorican elites who were very excited about him pretty disappointed. He was asked by Romero Barcelo (ex-gov) about the status and they could not get a definite answer out of him. Again I favor Obama....but I am giving you the point of view of these elites who are the possible "delegates"....I also believe that the media attention Puerto Rico will get out of this could either push for statehood or independence discussions to be brought to national attention. Lets hope for statehood to be the side favored.

It is simple

It is simple ....we are going to vote for that candidate that best suits our hopes and needs; in my case, is to become a state with all the benefits and responsibilities that that represents. Rest assured that neither race nor gender will play a role in our desicion.

It is ironic that we are the only Americans that can not vote for our own president just because we live here in the island. So, since I won't be able to vote for my president, at least I will be more than happy to help electing the nominee.

As a separate note:

It bothers the hell out of me that I they never add the PR (designation for Puerto Rico), in the "Choose a state" column.

Stop the fearmongering!

This uninformed fearmongering is corrosive to the American political process. I don't know what you so-called journalists are up to, but

Puerto Rico's delegates are allocated in the same manner as any other state. The majority are selected in elective caucuses:

"The Delegate Selection Plan for Puerto Rico provides for its pledged delegates to be allocated proportionally to presidential preferences based on

Senatorial District Caucuses on June 7, 2008."

http://www.prideintheparty.org/pdf/PR.pdf

Puerto Rico has 62 (or 63?) TOTAL delegates

Pledged (elected) delegates: 36

Party leaders (superdelegates+unpledged): 14

At large (usually go to winner of pledged): 12

Puerto Rico's selection process is about the same as any other state Democratic party. If the race is still contested by then (doubtful) then you will see a huge turnout like we have seen in states from Maine to Washington. In prior years it didn't really matter in Washington state, so only one or two peple showed up per precinct. This year we had 40 people at mine, which was about %20 of all Democrats in the precinct.

Usually by this time in the process it is easy to "rig" the system by having a few supporters show up to vote. There would be some minor candidate like Kuchinich who could potentially embarass the nominee, so the party leaders ensure that the guy who is really going to be on the ticket wins the state.

This is quite different from the scenario that you posit.

re: Some facts

3- Most Puerto Ricans (80%) identify themselves as white.

So do most residents of Washington state and Maine!

I do live in PR

Puerto Rico is Macondo, and I live there.

You all have to understand that anything, anything can happen.

The entire Island will go frenzy with just the thought that they will be protagonists of this story.

You have to understand that we have a big inferiority complex that we try to overcome with anything that puts on in the news (specially Cable TV). We love Ricky Martin, Tito Trinidad and our Miss Universes because they put us "in the map".

The fact that Puerto Rico will protagonize such important story, and the thought that all major TV networks would be here, will make us do whatever we have to do to just get more news coverage.

So, Mardi Gras in Puerto Rico this June.

Well I guess if the trend of Latinos voting for Hillary overwhelmingly carries here too then Hillary it looks like Hllary will win Puerto Rico.

Grito De Lares

Puerto Rican Born and raised currently living in America. :)

How can this be the land of the free home of the braves indigenous holocaust and the homes of the slaves?

80 % consider them selves white? One thing I suggest to you is don"t use wiki since it can be changed most of the time. I will break down the blood line for you and if you have questions about it ask Gladys Nieves Ramirez and Juan C. Cruzado Martinez about the real facts. Here's the article for you ..

measuring genetic contributions through the maternal lineage of the three ethnic groups that predominate in Puerto Rico. In addition to the native American Indian, the study will identify the percentage of Puerto Ricans that have black and Caucasian (white) heritage. In the study, which (began) in August, (1999.) Martinez (received) a scholarship grant of $270.000 from the National Foundation of Sciences of the United States. Martinez, who is a professor of Biology of the Recinto University of Mayaguez (RUM), explained that the experiment will examine the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the mitochondria (mtDNA) that is transmitted solely through the mother. From the volunteers, six roots of hair are taken that are treated in the laboratory so that the DNA is released. Each ethnic group has an mtDNA distinguishing, marker indicated.

The professor maintained that for the first study, taken in the past academic year, he examined mtDNA of 56 people, 23 of residents of districts who have an indigenous known background, like Indiera Alta and Indiera Baja, of Maricao, and Miraflores, of Anasco. The other volunteers were workers of the RUM that affirmed to have Indian ancestry on the part of the mother or a grandmother. 70% of the examined registered mtDNA of indigenous origin. As that study was skewed, since they only looked for people who could possibly have indigenous ancestry, Martinez said he had made an additional study in which he examined 38 people selected (scientifically) at random. Of that group, 53% was positive for indigenous mtDNA. Surprising results "The results surprised us by the high indigenous percentage, because it says in history that the Indians were quickly exterminated by diseases. We are finding that, but more true, that they were assimilated and that can have many implications. For example, one can eliminate a race without exterminating it. It can be eliminated (to a large degree culturally as well as genetically), when assimilating", the professor expounded. He stated that the experiments examine the history of the bloodline of Puerto Rico solely through the maternal lineage. It added that furthermore, he intends to study the genetic contribution through the paternal lineage, which can take over the chromosome and since the Spanish colonization was mainly of men, it expects that the Caucasian contribution to the genetics of the Puerto Ricans is greater than the native by paternal lineage. (This also applies to he> Black slave men who were introduced there.) "Now we are going to make a study much more complete because the study will be representative of all Puerto Rico and we will gather from the different social strata," Martinez said. The statistical error is going to be relatively low," affirmed Martinez. For that study Martinez and a group of Biology students will visit 800 homes in different zones of Puerto Rico. For the sample volunteers of eight towns of larger populations will be selected. They are San Juan, Bayamón, Ponce, Carolina, Caguas, Mayaguez, Arecibo and Guaynabo. In addition, they will look for samples in Cayey, Corozal and Barranquitas, in the central zone; in Aguadilla, San Sebastián, Moca and Hormigueros in the west; in Yauco, Juana Diaz and Penuelas in the south; in Toa Baja, Vega Baja and Vega Alta in the north; and in Humacao, San Lorenzo and Loíza in the east. The towns were (scientifically) chosen at random, pointed Martinez. He emphasized that it will be the first time that an experiment of this nature in Puerto Rico (or anywhere else) has been made.

Alright now that we have the facts on Puerto Rican People lets get to the politics. What does a Puerto Rican nation have anything to do with the politics in America? How does an American President help the politics of a sovereign nation? Has Barack Obama ever traveled to Puerto Rico and all over the Island? No. Has Hillary? No.

O for the fellow who said they put us on the map I think if you look on the map we have always existed. Its like Christopher Colombus coming all over again telling us he found us. jaja

And I disagree with the editor who wrote this counting the PIP out. Why don't you talk about how the FBI suppressed the Independence movement after the United States received us as spoils of war? We are in the status of commonwealth for a reason. Puerto Rican Politics has nothing to do with United States Politics. We have a completely different culture and language.

The Puerto Ricans on the Island would vote for Barack Obama. Yes they have voted for a female governor but Nuyorican politics and Puerto Rican politics are completely different. So even if in New York they voted for Hillary that doesn't mean they would vote for Hillary in Puerto Rico.

All I ask from the ones who have not studies Puerto Rico history to understand why Puerto Rico should be independent.

First Voting

Puerto Rican Politics is different than that of American Politics

Second

Both parties are going to be playing with American politics on who they will choose as a Democratic President. Which will harm the American people in the long run because again Puerto Rican interest are completely different than that of American interest.

Thirdly

For the lady that said Hilary has it in the bag. What bag are you referring to a stolen election? The only thing Hillary has in the bag is make up. lol Para "maquillarse" lol

I will add that I have much respect for those who have bleed to see Puerto Rico Independent. America is not our country it was imposed on us After Spain give us to you. We died in large numbers fighting for our liberation. Let us not forget about the Tainos and the genocide the Christopher Columbus brought to our land. Puerto Ricans haven't rejected the option of Independence. What do you think Common Wealth is the leading democratically elected party now? Hawaii should also be granted Independence. You made diplomatic relations with the Hawaiian people to use their land to trade. Than you want beyond that margin and used it for labor. We are happy to have you as well. :) I agree totally on your last statement.

Gender or Race ? Not an issue in Puerto Rico

Yes, Puerto Ricans voted for a female governor once. After a horrific performance as a governor, she ruined forever any other woman's aspirations for running or being elected again. Even after that bad experience, I agree with others, that Puerto Ricans will not vote for gender or race.

All we care are the issues and who is going to be the President of the US that will send our sons/daughters, siblings or parents to war. Also, most importantly who will pay attention to our status and clearly define our future as a state or non-state.

Personally I voted for Obama and in Puerto Rico if I was still living there I would vote for statehood. I'm Puerto Rican and proud to be an American!

Next USA President a puertorricans decision in June

I just listened to our governor in the radio announcing that he had a meeting with local democratic party and they have decided that instead of a caucus, government will approve the money to finance a real democratic primary, believe me, if this local election is not decided by an ""arranged caucus"", Obama will have the best chance to win.

Both the local Senate President and the local Democratic president announced they agree on the decision of having an open primary.

Although it is too early to conclude if the National Democratic Party would allow this to happen and I mean letting puertorricans decide at the end of the primary whos going to be the next president, it will be interesting for the world!

Next USA President a puertorricans decision in June

I just listened to our governor in the radio announcing that he had a meeting with local democratic party and they have decided that instead of a caucus, government will approve the money to finance a real democratic primary, believe me, if this local election is not decided by an ""arranged caucus"", Obama will have the best chance to win.

Both the local Senate President and the local Democratic president announced they agree on the decision of having an open primary.

Although it is too early to conclude if the National Democratic Party would allow this to happen and I mean letting puertorricans decide at the end of the primary whos going to be the next president, it will be interesting for the world!

I'd rather PR decide the election than Iowa!!!!

Ever looked up the word Latinos in a dictionary...or is it just more political jargon.....if you are from Texas you are Texan...if you are born in PR. you are Puerto Rican...if, you could find that word in the dictionary....PS...you can't even find Puerto Rico on the State category on this page.......

educate yourself

regardless of place of birth, if your parents are puerto rican, then you are a puerto rican. it happens to be the diplomatic and political colonization of an island that disrupts this idea of who puerto ricans are. were we not puerto rican when spain colonized our island? and then the historic transfer and imposed status and subjugation of a people defined our reality.

a latino is someone of iberian descent -- thus making puerto ricans latino --it is the disconnect between nuyorican (you missed spelled this in a previous posting) and islanders that make it troublesome. chauvinism is a detriment to the united states; and if puerto ricans continue this chauvinism, there is no hope for solidarity.

think about it.

viva puerto rico libre

Dedicated To John Adams

MC of AZ makes no sense in her last two statements.

First:If your American than you have a choice in that matter. You have the choice to serve or not serve in the military. And since you live in America your American not Puerto Rican. Thats the reason why Puerto Rican and American politics conflict.

Your American and live in America so you can vote for the President. But if you live in Puerto Rico you can't vote for the president. So MC if your really concerned about the next President than vote but don't let Super Delegates get in your way.

Since Puerto Rico is a territory under congressional authority its residents can't vote.

Your in America you live in America Right? So you can vote.

The constitution is clear, you have to live in a state.

Also to add to this debate on why Puerto Rico Independence in needed is the perfect example of

"Various scholars (including a prominent U.S. judge in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit) conclude that the U.S. national-electoral process is not a democracy due to U.S. Government disenfranchisement of U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico"

Meaning that even if you live in the United States (Alaska or Hawaii) but than choose to take you ballot out of your bag in Puerto Rico it will not be counted for. Sucks Huh?

Puerto Rico is a US commonwealth & Puerto Ricans are