How Puerto Rico's Governor Could Be Dark Horse for VP

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As far as participating in national politics, native born Puerto Ricans living in Puerto Rico are treated identical to how those born and living in Washington D.C. were treated before 1961 when the 23rd amendment was passed (which gave D.C. 3 electoral votes).

In both cases, residents born in either place reside in U.S. territory and are natural born U.S. citizens. The only rights they don't have are those corresponding to living in a U.S. state. If they move to and establish residency in one of the 50 states they will have all the rights of any other citizen of that state. If I move to Washington D.C., I will lose the right to be represented by representatives and senators in congress.

bobo of CA 5:57PM July 13, 2012

Fortuño CAN NOT be VP. He is NOT a natural born citizen. PuertoRican's citizenship comes from Congressional mandate (Janes Law of 1919) therefore does not qualify to be POTUS, which is the requisite for #2. Also, he can't bring ANYTHING to the ticket- No electoral votes, NONE! NO congressional influence/allies.

Josefa of FL 6:16PM February 10, 2012

As a multiCULTURAL Puertorican (as in I grew up in PR, and now study in the USA- and mother's worked in PR gov. not too long ago), Santo Arroyo, I can tell you that mainland Puertoricans and Island Puertoricans are VERY different. Concerns, needs and positions are different. He is the gov. of PR, not Florida, your domestic concerns should go to your domestic gov.

Mr. Sarell. Your comment is so offensive on multiple levels that I don't even know what to tackle first. I almost forgot to read Arroyo's comment after reading yours. Your clear lack of understand of how common wealth’s/territories work, the fact that Puertorican's ARE U.S.A. citizens from birth or your entitlement and privilege problems. My suggestion- EDUCATE yourself. Go to your nearest social justice office and sign up for training, because you need it (I recommend the Walk and the Separation Activity for your personal clarification). Then retake a history class or two (I recommend US history part two specifically). That's all I can say about your comment.

P.V. Quinones of CA 7:34PM January 30, 2012

What world are you people living in? Luis Fortuno can' t even vote in the mainland unless he moves here and establishes his residency, or is there some sort of exception that i m unaware of? If wrong please feel free to enlighten me. Maybe i m the one who needs to educated.Forgot to mention that to become president you must be born here an exception being john MC Cain who was born in the Panama canal, I believe.As far as Ms. Neunder, CEO of the chamber of commerce mentioned above. I had displeasure of watching her speak to the (R) candidates.She started out by saying that we Puerto Ricans are treated as second class citizens.I m sick and tired of the poor me attitudes. I don't want pity from anyone. This is a huge country and not everyone is going to like you. Go to school, work hard and make your own life and you see magic happen.I moved here 54 yrs. ago and have faced adversity. I gained respect from my peers for the reasons i mentioned.

all u do is empower the victimizers when u act weak.

W Sarell of NJ 4:24PM January 30, 2012

How many votes does he bring? That's the bottom line.

Jsmith of VA 2:46PM January 30, 2012

Why Gov. Luis Fortuño has been forgotten and left out? The answer is simple, because he is out of touch with his own people. I was present at the Hispanic Leadership Network event this past Jan. 26-27at the Doral Resort in Miami-Dade County. I was shock too hear all the great things his doing in Puerto Rico when in reality it is completely the opposite. Do not believe me ? Just visit the Island and find out for yourself how far we are from been the role model that our Gov. try to sell to hard to advance and promote his own personal agenda.

Another reason why he was left out because he does not have even one minute to talk to the leaders of the Puerto Rican community in Florida. We were a group of about 10 people, among this group we had the Presidents of several Puerto Rican Chambers of Commerce from several counties in Florida, that came to have the opportunity to meet with him and address domestic issues that affect all Puerto Ricans on mainland and on the Island. But he chose to leave us hanging and inmediately took off without given us the opportunity to expose our concerns. Now is that the kind of politician we need in United States? I don't think so. So let stop the hypes and face realilty and pick candidates that will work toward the common good of everyone. We have had enough of self indulge politicians.

Santos Arroyo of FL 8:54AM January 29, 2012

I've been a transplant resident in Puerto Rico since 1994. In all my time here I've always participated in every election as a voter. Although Puerto Rico is nothing like any state of the union, the population always participates in every election to the tune of 85 to 90 percent. Of the four governors during my residence here, only Luis Fortuno has stood up against the government labor unions to cut the bloated payroll. This down sizing of government was long over due, but previous politicians were always too worried about getting re-elected to make the hard choices that were necessary. I think governor Fortuno would make a excellent vice presidential choice for either party!

John Almasi 6:43PM January 28, 2012

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