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Obama On Puerto Rico, Status And "Enhanced Autonomy"

By Big Tent Democrat

Here is my translation of portions of this interview of Barack Obama by the Puerto Rico newspaper El Nuevo Dia:

Q: Hillary Clinton promised that she would work to provide Puerto Ricans living in Puerto Rico [those living in one of the 50 states or in DC already can vote for President since they are US citizens. If US citizens from the US moved to Puerto Rico, they would lose the right to vote for President] the right to vote for President. do you agree with this position?

OBAMA: This would need to be resolved as part of a general solution to the status problem. If we are sending Puerto Ricans to war, they need to have more representation in Washington. But of course I can not make any promises, if the status issue is not resolved. Sen. Clinton needs to explain to you how she would acquire this right for Puerto Ricans without dealing with the US Congress.

Q: Do you think Puerto Rico is a colony? . . .

OBAMA: The relationship between the US and Puerto Rico is complicated. Puerto Ricans have good reasons for feeling resentful that they have to carry out their obligations as American citizens while on some occasions not having the privileges of US citizenship. For example, the [lack of] representation in Congress. That is a very important reason why the status issue must be resolved. And I want to work with leaders from both sides and with the Congress to commence a process of self determination.

Q: What powers of autonomy could a Puerto Rican government have under an Obama Presidency [NOTE: The issue of "enhanced autonomy" is a hot subject in Puerto Rico, particularly in the PDP, the Commonwealth Party, which has long defended the current status. Recently, the consensus in the PDP has been formed that the current status is not acceptable and that "enhanced autonomy" must be achieved.]?

OBAMA: I can not answer that question until you Puerto Ricans decide. My opinion is that Puerto Ricans, as well as being proud of being American citizens are also proud of being Puerto Ricans. The government of Puerto Rico should have the autonomy to make decisions on its economy, education and health care policy. It is also true that Puerto Ricans receive aid from the United States government regarding housing, education and in other areas. The criteria to use for spending these funds in Puerto Rico should be the same as in the [50] states. The most important principle is that Puerto Rico should be respected and treated equally to any state when we are speaking of governmental powers. The states have individual powers, their governments can do many things that the federal government can not. There is much to legislate, but the decisions made in Puerto Rico must be respected as in any state.

[An aside. Interesting to see Obama such a proponent of federalism Scalia style. I wonder that the Right blogs have not picked up on this quote.]

Q: Bill Clinton granted executive clemency to 12 Puerto Rican political prisoners in 2000. Would you act similarly with three prisoners currently in US prisons (Haydeé Beltrán, Oscar López and Carlos Alberto Torres)?

OBAMA: I would have to review the different cases before making any decision or providing any answer because it is very important that when a President uses the powers of clemency that you review each case individually and not as a group.

END OF TRANSLATION.

Pretty standard fare but I was struck by two things. First, that the Commonwealth Party did not get more out of Obama in terms of a commitment towards "enhanced autonomy" - their new rallying cry ideologically. And second, I was surprised to see his embrace of the "federalism" views of the Right. I think he was trying to signal that being treated "like a state" is the equivalent of enhanced autonomy. I do not know if that sold. Or perhaps it was a pitch to statehooders. Either way, it was a bit confusing.

Other than that, pretty standard blather I thought.

By Big Tent Democrat

Full post as published by TalkLeft on May 26, 2008 (boomark / email).