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Puerto Rico

By Big Tent Democrat

By Big Tent Democrat

Via TAPPED, some misguided analysis of the Puerto Rico primary:

Puerto Rico is the post-racial society Obama represents. It is not difficult to imagine how he could take parts of his speech in Philadelphia about race, add some history and demography about Puerto Rico, and give a speech in San Juan that rightly acknowledges that on this great issue of bridging America's racial divide, Puerto Ricans have a lot to teach America. Such a speech would not only be attractive to Puerto Ricans, it would be true.

Puerto Rico a post-racial society? Hah! More . .

The other reason to think Clinton has a tougher challenge in Puerto Rico than is assumed by the press is that none of the political machines on the island are in her corner. As mentioned at the time, Clinton supporter Pedro Rosello lost the gubernatorial primary for the Statehood Party in early March to Luis Fortuna, [sic] who backs John McCain. The Commonwealth Party is led by incumbent governor Anibal Acevedo-Vila, and he backs Obama. So, the two political organizations on the island will be using the June 1 primary as a test of their field organization, and neither of them is signed on with Clinton.

(Emphasis supplied.) This is simply wrong. Neither the NPP or the PDP will view the primary as a test of their electoral strength against each other. Clinton has more supporters in both the NPP and the PDP than does Obama, whose only major endorser was Acevedo Vila, who was indicted today and may not even be the Governor come June 3.

Fortuno's win over Rossello was not a McCain win over Clinton. It demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of Puerto Rico politics to even think that. Democrats and Republicans mean next to nothing to Puerto Ricans. Statehood and Commonwealth mean everything (the Independence Party is miniscule, only about 5% of the vote, though I believe Obama will be very strong in that segment.)

Political bosses are the order of the day in Puerto Rico. Clinton has those in her corner. Obama's boss, Acevedo, was weak before and now is impotent.

This analysis:

So, assuming Clinton is favored is a stretch. If the race is still going in June, Puerto Rico could be a caballo-race.

It is simply wrong imo. But I also think Puerto Rico won't make the difference.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on March 27, 2008 (boomark / email).