Puerto Rico could decide the Democratic Nominee!

NEON DEON · 03-14-08, 02:39 AM

Just when I thought the Democratic nomination process could not get more screwed, This comes up:

Puerto Rico holds its Democratic Primary for President on June first.
PR has 55 delagates. Not a whole lot but wait a minute! They are the only group in the democratic convention that votes winner take all!!!

Thats right! 55 votes all one way. (not included are 8 super duper votes)

PR will have more sway in deciding the Democratic nominee than the largest state in the Union. California. And to make matters worse, They are not even a State!

It is getting crazier by the day!

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2...oll-power.html

Graf Paper · 03-14-08, 03:56 AM

Technically, Puerto Rico is part of the United States as a commonwealth.

The same goes for U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and a few other places.

They get all the legal protections, priveleges, and rights of a state without any of the obligations that comes with statehood.

Pretty cushy deal, if you ask me. No wonder the Puerto Ricans have consistently voted against statehood whenever it's come up on the ballots there.

All of this is a result of the old "Manifest Destiny" policy of the U.S. government where we once had a colony in China and claimed half the Pacific as territories and protectorates.

NEON DEON · 03-15-08, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graf Paper

Technically, Puerto Rico is part of the United States as a commonwealth.

The same goes for U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and a few other places.

They get all the legal protections, priveleges, and rights of a state without any of the obligations that comes with statehood.

Pretty cushy deal, if you ask me. No wonder the Puerto Ricans have consistently voted against statehood whenever it's come up on the ballots there.

All of this is a result of the old "Manifest Destiny" policy of the U.S. government where we once had a colony in China and claimed half the Pacific as territories and protectorates.

Puerto Rican independence movement also can't seem to get above 5% approval rating. So status quo seems to fit for them well. One thing the Puerto Ricans might not like is that if a draft was instituted they would have to take part just like any regular U S State. So maybee they desverve some representation after all.

Von Tonner · 03-16-08, 07:21 AM

Puerto Rico is NOT winner take all

See demconwatch:

The notion of Puerto Rico being a "winner-take-all" jurisdiction stems from previous presidential primary contests, which were pretty much over by the time the Puerto Ricans got to vote. John Kerry swept Puerto Rico in 2004 just as Al Gore triumphed in 2000 because they were the only candidates left in the race, and the party bosses could manipulate the caucus process. This time will be very different, according to several Puerto Rican Democratic leaders I contacted earlier today by phone. ... If the race is still competitive, participation is likely to be very high, and there is no way that one candidate will sweep all the delegates.
"Both the candidates have supporters on the island," said Eliseo Roques, vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee's Hispanic Caucus, and a prominent Puerto Rican politician who is neutral in the race. "You will see a closely contested race."

Also of note is that the Governor of Puerto Rico has publically endorsed Obama.

NEON DEON · 03-16-08, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Von Tonner

Puerto Rico is NOT winner take all

See demconwatch:

The notion of Puerto Rico being a "winner-take-all" jurisdiction stems from previous presidential primary contests, which were pretty much over by the time the Puerto Ricans got to vote. John Kerry swept Puerto Rico in 2004 just as Al Gore triumphed in 2000 because they were the only candidates left in the race, and the party bosses could manipulate the caucus process. This time will be very different, according to several Puerto Rican Democratic leaders I contacted earlier today by phone. ... If the race is still competitive, participation is likely to be very high, and there is no way that one candidate will sweep all the delegates.
"Both the candidates have supporters on the island," said Eliseo Roques, vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee's Hispanic Caucus, and a prominent Puerto Rican politician who is neutral in the race. "You will see a closely contested race."

Also of note is that the Governor of Puerto Rico has publically endorsed Obama.

Yes my source was from a blog, although the blog is on US News, it is still just a blog and not like regular news stories that would have to substantiate its findings.

Some documents need to be ammended tho. Puerto Rico will be a primary and not a caucus. I think the confusion might stem from the fact that if you do not get 15% they throw you out.

Vila the Governor of Puerto rico is currently under grand jury investigation so I am not sure how much help that would be for Obama.

03-14-08, 02:39 AM	#1
NEON DEON Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,207 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 5	Puerto Rico could decide the Democratic Nominee! Just when I thought the Democratic nomination process could not get more screwed, This comes up: Puerto Rico holds its Democratic Primary for President on June first. PR has 55 delagates. Not a whole lot but wait a minute! They are the only group in the democratic convention that votes winner take all!!! Thats right! 55 votes all one way. (not included are 8 super duper votes) PR will have more sway in deciding the Democratic nominee than the largest state in the Union. California. And to make matters worse, They are not even a State! It is getting crazier by the day! http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2...oll-power.html __________________ Diesel Boats Forever!

03-14-08, 03:56 AM	#2
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	Technically, Puerto Rico is part of the United States as a commonwealth. The same goes for U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and a few other places. They get all the legal protections, priveleges, and rights of a state without any of the obligations that comes with statehood. Pretty cushy deal, if you ask me. No wonder the Puerto Ricans have consistently voted against statehood whenever it's come up on the ballots there. All of this is a result of the old "Manifest Destiny" policy of the U.S. government where we once had a colony in China and claimed half the Pacific as territories and protectorates. __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

03-16-08, 07:21 AM	#4
Von Tonner Seasoned Skipper Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 711 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	Puerto Rico is NOT winner take all See demconwatch: The notion of Puerto Rico being a "winner-take-all" jurisdiction stems from previous presidential primary contests, which were pretty much over by the time the Puerto Ricans got to vote. John Kerry swept Puerto Rico in 2004 just as Al Gore triumphed in 2000 because they were the only candidates left in the race, and the party bosses could manipulate the caucus process. This time will be very different, according to several Puerto Rican Democratic leaders I contacted earlier today by phone. ... If the race is still competitive, participation is likely to be very high, and there is no way that one candidate will sweep all the delegates. "Both the candidates have supporters on the island," said Eliseo Roques, vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee's Hispanic Caucus, and a prominent Puerto Rican politician who is neutral in the race. "You will see a closely contested race." Also of note is that the Governor of Puerto Rico has publically endorsed Obama.