Puerto Rico Primary

In her first visit to the island in almost a decade, Hillary Clinton had the following words for her puertorriqueño supporters:

“My commitment to Puerto Rico did not start last month or last year. It stretches back more than a decade.”

Let us take a moment to revist that commitment shall we?

Last month- Clinton files a bill to require the NSF to reinstate funding for the Arecibo Observatory.

Last few years- NADA! The Observatory has been in peril for some time now, political motivation or simply avocation? YOU decide.

Last weekend - Clinton says “I am committed to providing new tax benefits to revitalize Puerto Rico’s economy, extending to Puerto Rico the wage credits and tax benefits of Empowerment Zones and other programs that stimulate investment in underdeveloped areas.”

Last decade- Bill Clinton cut tax credits to companies doing business in Puerto Rico.

Last weekend- Clinton says: “I believe you should have a vote in picking the president, too.”

“I think you should be treated equally, nothing less. That is the core of my agenda in Puerto Rico, a passionate belief in your right to equal treatment. This is the 21st century, we need to treat every person equally and certainly the United States government should be the model and set the example.”

Last 8 years in the Senate- ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Last weekend- Clinton says, “I feel as though I have been your senator and now I want to be your president.”

Last 8 years in the Senate- ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Last Week- Clinton’s Campaign releases a statement saying “Hillary will put more police on Puerto Rico’s streets. . . She will also provide funding for programs President Bush has sought to eliminate, such as the Justice Assistance grants to improve Puerto Rico’s criminal justice system and support crime fighting activities. ”

Last Decade- Hillary supports her husband’s 1999 commutation of 16 members of FALN, a violent Puerto Rican nationalist group responsible for setting off 120 bombs in the US and Puerto Rico; but later flip-flops her position when the members refuse to give up violence.

Questions, Comments, Concerns?

Check out the video below of Barack going Boricua during his trip on Saturday to La Isla del Encanto:

Video footage of Michelle Obama’s visit to la isla a couple days back. Such a modern Jackie O, don’t you think?

Is it just me or is the future President’s Spanish sounding muy bien these days? Listen for yourself below

PR LOVES OBAMA

PR LOVES OBAMA

Obama was out and about early this morning at the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamon commemorating the veterans of Puerto Rico.

“It’s fitting to be here today, not just because Memorial Day is around the corner but because Puerto Ricans are such an important part of the United States military. On this island and in Puerto Rican neighborhoods across America, you can go into almost any home and find a veteran living there or a photograph of a loved one in uniform hanging on the wall,” Mr.Obama said. 

“You have my assurance, veterans here in Puerto Rico will be treated the same as veterans everywhere else.”

Then it was off for a “caminita” with the future president who marched along the streets of San Juan with supporters who held a “Puerto Rico con Obama” banner.

“I will never forget the support and the friendship that I’ve seen here in Puerto Rico. … I am absolutely confident that if that we keep on working hard, there’s no reason why we can’t win here in Puerto Rico, and if we win Puerto Rico, we will win the nomination.”

AND A SHOUT OUT to pedro for the hot posters!

Governor Bill Richardson, a former presidential candidate and prominent Hispanic politician, is coming to Puerto Rico tomorrow, Thursday, to campaign for Barack Obama who he formally endorsed back in March.

No word yet as to where and when he’ll be stopping.

¡Ay Caramba! 75,000 rallied for Obama in downtown Portland today. Here’s what Mr. Obama had to say amidst the never-ending crowd chanting Obama!:

“Hello Portland! Wow. Wow. Wow.”

“We have had a lot of rallies around the country. I think it is fair to say that this is the most spectacular setting for the most spectacular crowd that we have had in this entire campaign. This is unbelievable.”