Obama's Trip: Political Genius!

Sheer political genius!

That's my assessment midway through Senator Barack Obama's trip to the Middle East and Europe.

The idea of interviewing for the job of U.S. Commander-in-Chief by traveling abroad, visiting with war zone and European allies, accompanied by MSM, is hugely bold and risky. Too risky most U.S. politicians, but not for the audacious Barack Obama -- and it's paying off.

Middle Eastern and European leaders are lining up to meet and be seen with Obama -- the likely next leader of the world's most powerful nation. The pictures being broadcast back home are awesome. And Senator Obama grows in stature with every new foreign dignitary he meets.

Here's what's happened thus far:

1) The soldiers in Kuwait were absolutely giddy to have Obama visit and give them his vow of support. To cap it off, Obama's 3 pointer sent the auditorium of hard boiled military heroes into levels of excitement typically reserved for idol worshipping teenie boppers.

2) The video of Obama's swish immediately went viral and the netroots across the blogosphere nearly fainted in delight.

3) Next came Obama's visit with Afghanistan's beleaguered President Karzai.

Not only did Obama look imminently credible as a potential U.S. President, but more importantly, the Afghanistan leaders looked genuinely relieved to have an American leader make the sorts of commitments the Bush Regime should have been made from the start.

After all, it was the Taliban that harbored and aided the terrorists of 9/11; and it's the Taliban and Al Qaeda that are killing U.S. soldiers and weakening the Afghan government. Duh!!!

4) Most surprisingly, Obama's position of refocusing the 'War on Terror' on the Afghanistan theatre received unexpected support back home from two newly minted converts: George W. Bush and John McCain.

5) Yesterday, Obama met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other Iraqi leaders, and walked-away with not-so-subtle endorsements of his plan to phase down U.S. combat troops.

6) Additionally, Obama did a Baghdad flyover with Petraeus and received the general's unfiltered take on the Iraq War. (I'd love to hear what Petraeus said privately to Obama.)

7) Today, Obama held an outdoor press conference in Jordan where he took questions about his trip from America's news heavy weights. A relaxed Obama was in command and looked presidential. Later, Obama meets with Jordan's King Abdullah for talks and photos.

8) Tomorrow, Obama travels to Israel where he'll reassure Israeli leaders and citizens of his support for the Jewish state and for a peaceful and equitable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem.

9) Obama then travels to Germany for a major foreign policy speech in Berlin's Tiergarten; followed by visits with France's Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace, Friday, and UK's Gordon Brown at Downing Street, Saturday.

10) Obama then returns home triumphantly and with enhanced stature--at least that's what the Obama folks hope.

The Obama camp's brilliance is contrasted by McCain camp's silliness. Upset that Obama is getting lots of attention on his swing foreign policy tour, a grumpy McCain campaign is bitterly complaining that the media is biased for Obama.

Apparently, the McCain people have forgotten Ronald Reagan's first PR rule: Give reporters something to write about--and/or, give them great pictures.

Q: Exactly what is McCain offering the press--and news readers/viewers?

For example, McCain travelled to New Hampshire for a town hall meeting--something he's done there over 100 times. Not exactly newsworthy. That's probably why there was only one reporter for the McCain party's arrival in Manchester.

And it's not only the "liberal" MSM that finds McCain recently less than newsworthy. Here's what conservative Jack Engelhard writes about this very point:

This we know. Reporters, by the hundreds and even the thousands, serve as Obama’s fan club and honor guard. They are his roadies, his groupies. But at least Obama gives them a story. McCain has no story and if he does, he’s already given it and there’s nothing more to say – nothing fresh, for sure. That unnecessary smile and those two thumbs up don’t do the trick.

The McCain camp is so desperate for attention that allied conservative, columnist Robert Novak, is aiding the campaign by "divulging" that a VP may named as early as this weekend. However, don't expect to see an actual announcement anytime soon because doing so gives away McCain's only newsworthy story too soon. What else will he have to dangle before the media?

What's apparent in this unique week of presidential politicing is that Obama has a campaign plan that he's methodically following--and McCain doesn't. Without his own plan, McCain's is left simply reacting to what Obama--and Obama surrogates, family members, friends, aquaintances, former ministers, neighbors, etc.--say and do.

Advantage Obama!

Links:
Photos And Video From Barack Obama's Foreign Tour
3,000 GIs MOB Barack in Baghdad
Obama finds 'consensus' in Iraq for U.S. troop withdrawal
McCain: Media 'in love' with Obama
Sources Say McCain Veep Pick to Come This Week
McCain returns to NH with visit to Rochester
Prediction: Citing Health, McCain Quits—Jack Engelhard
Gordon Brown backs Iraq withdrawal plan

The Polling 'Mala Práctica' of Sergio Bendixon

The Latino vote is in play in the presidential contest, so writes Josh Gerstein, a reporter for the conservative New York Sun. He arrives at his surprising finding even though the facts suggest otherwise. The data--which Gerstein mentions and then ignores--clearly show that Obama is beating McCain by a two-to-one margin among Latino voters in ALL national polls.

So how is it that Gerstein sees a reality different than what the professional national polls (including Gallup and NBC/Wall Street Journal) are picking up?

Well, it seems that Gerstein gets his wisdom from Sergio Bendixon, a "prominent Hispanic pollster", who's gut, it seems, tells him that Latinos nationally are not as taken by Obama. Without a shred of evidence, Bendixon--owner of Bendixen & Associates, a multi-lingual opinion survey group in Coral Gables, Florida--claims that Obama's double-digit lead over McCain among Latinos nationally is false.

Bendixon's special knowledge appears to come from his reading of his own "poll" among Latinos (mostly Cubans) of Miami/Dade County. It's a survey in which the self-proclaimed expert in multi-ethnic survey research finds lots of love for McCain among his hometown Cubans and a split McCain/Obama preference among other local Latinos.

While Bendixon's survey may represent Miami/Dade Latino voter preference, it says zippo, nada about Latino voter preference nationally or anywhere else outside of Bendixon's home turf.

Remember though that Bendixon is the guy who did Spanish language polling for Hillary--and may still be at her service. And he is also the Clinton political operative that went on record with the disgusting assertion that "Hispanics" won't vote for the Black man.

Note to political candidates: Do buy Bendixon's polls--and his opinions--if you have money to waste.

BTW: I'd love to listen in on Mr. Bendixon's Spanish language interviews. If their tone and wording reflects the class/racial attitudes of Mr. Bendixon and his telenovela clients, one would have to declare them polling mala práctica.

Link: Latino Vote Is in Play in Presidential Contest

Related:
Who'll Win the Latino Vote?
Latinos Shift to Obama
The Clinton campaign's assertion that Latinos historically haven't voted for black candidates is divisive -- and false.
The Black-Brown Divide
Misleading Latinos for Political Advantage
A campaign about race
Latinos for Obama - Si Se Puede!

The Electoral Map Challenge

The LATimes has this nifty interactive electoral vote model allowing users to create different winning scenarios for McCain and Obama.

For example, Obama can lose Ohio and Florida and still win the presidency by winning the Democratic leaning states of WA, OR, WI, MI, MN, DE, NH, NJ, and then picking up NM, CO and IA. On the other hand, McCain can lose the GOP leaning states of NM, CO, NV, IA and still win by keeping FL and picking pick up MI and OH.

A nontraditional Democratic "Southern Strategy" scenario--in this very nontraditional presidential cycle--could see Obama lose most of the usual "swing" states (OH, PA, FL, CO, NV, IA) and still win by keeping the deepest blue states and adding VA, GA and MS--along with NM.

Try it and become a strategist for your favorite candidate.

Obama's Joshua Generation: Engaging Young People of Faith

David Reports of CBN News reports that the Obama Camapaign will soon launch The Joshua Generation, an outreach to young people of faith--especially young Evangelicals and Catholics.

Obama spoke about the "Joshua Generation" in his Selma Speech (March of 2007). Here's are excerpts:

- I'm here because somebody marched. I'm here because you all sacrificed for me. I stand on the shoulders of giants.

- I thank the Moses generation; but we've got to remember, now, that Joshua still had a job to do.

- As great as Moses was, despite all that he did, leading a people out of bondage, he didn't cross over the river to see the Promised Land. God told him your job is done.

- We're going to leave it to the Joshua generation to make sure it happens. There are still battles that need to be fought; some rivers that need to be crossed.

- The previous generation, the Moses generation, pointed the way. They took us 90% of the way there. We still got that 10% in order to cross over to the other side.

- So the question, I guess, that I have today is what's called of us in this Joshua generation? What do we do in order to fulfill that legacy; to fulfill the obligations and the debt that we owe to those who allowed us to be here today?

Related:

Obama Campaign will Launch 'Joshua Generation Project'
Evangelicals for Obama?
Obama's Speech at Ebenezer Bapitist Church: The Great Need of the Hour
Obama's Selma Speech
Obama's Selma Blessing
Don't tell me I don't have a claim on Selma, Alabama. I stand on the shoulders of giants.

Evangelicals for Obama?

The evangelical vote has been a cornerstone of the Republican Party's national successes since Ronald Reagan's 1980 victory over Jimmy Carter.

(The irony is that Carter was--and is--a devout, born-again, Evangelical Christian and Reagan was not.)

If the Democrats could ever peal away enough Evangelicals, it would cripple the GOP. Could it happen this year?

Mark DeMoss, a prominent public relations executive in the evangelical world who's client list includes Franklin Graham and Campus Crusade for Christ, thinks so. According to very clued-in DeMoss, Obama could win as much as 40% of the evangelical vote. Wow!

A Southern Baptist who supported Mormon Mitt Romney in the GOP Primary, DeMoss sees very little enthusiasm for McCain--and he himself is only a lukewarm supporter.

Interview with Mark DeMoss - Beliefnet
Evangelicals Are Still Wary Despite McCain’s Outreach - NYTimes
McCain's Evangelical Problem - Robert Novak
Will Christian Voters Turn to the Democratic Party in 2008? - Stephanie Condon

Obama's Victory: World Press Headlines

World welcomes Obama win
Associated Press

Obama's claim gets an upbeat response across the globe
International Herald Tribune - London

Asia celebrates Obama victory claim
The Press Association

Obama hace historia al ganar la nominación demócrata a la Casa Blanca
El Pais - Spain

Obama: "Ich werde der Kandidat für die Demokraten sein"
DerStandard - Austria

Obama devient le candidat démocrate
Le Soir - Belgium

Obama teki historiaa varmistamalla presidentinvaalien pääehdokkuuden
Helsingin Sanomat - Finland

Barack Obama serale candidat démocrate
Le Figaro - France

Bravo Obama, mais que veut Hillary ?
Liberation - France

Obama: Io il candidato dei democratici
Corriere - Italy

OBAMA TRIONFA, ORA AL VIA LA SFIDA CON MCCAIN
L'Ansa - Italy

Obama eist kandidatuur voor Democraten op
deGelderlander - Netherland

Obama será el primer candidato afroamericano a la Casa Blanca
La Vanguardia - Spain

Barack Obama wird Präsidentschaftskandidat der Demokraten
Zeitung - Switzerland

Barack Obama seizes his moment in history
London Times - London

Barack Obama wins Democratic nomination for president
The Guardian - UK

Obama clinches the Democratic nomination
Financial Times - London

Barack Obama claims Democratic presidential nomination
London Daily Mirror - UK

Epic struggle ends with victory for Obama
Belfast - Telegraph

Obama claims historic win
The Vancouver Sun - Canada

Obama clinches Democratic nomination
Toronto Star - Canada

Obama wins Democratic nomination
National Post - Canada

Barack Obama's fight for victory goes on
The Australian

Obama sweeps to victory
The Press - New Zealand

It’s Obama!
Bahrain Tribune

Obama declares nomination victory
Al Jazeera - Middle East

Obama clinches presidential nomination
The Jerusalem Post - Israel

Obama faces McCain after historic win
Mail & Gaurdian - South Africa

Historic moment as Obama triumphs
Daily Nation - Kenya

Asegura Barack Obama candidatura demócrata
El Universal - Mexico

Obama inicia campaña a la Casa Blanca tras proclamarse candidato demócrata
El Comercio - Ecuador

Obama gana histórica candidatura presidencial
La Nacion - Costa Rica

Prensa de EE.UU. dice que la candidatura demócrata de Obama es «histórica»
Los Tiempos - Bolivia

Racial barriers broken by Obama's nomination
The Times of India

Obama clinches US Democratic nomination
China Daily

Obama Makes History Today!

Barack Obama has received enough delegates (super and pledged), including those from today's the final primaries in Montana and South Dakota, to clinch the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

Bravo!

The son of a Kenyan man who was raised by his white American mother, grew-up in Hawaii, and lived in Indonesia. Who studied at Columbia, Harvard and was selected Law Review Editor at Harvard Law.

The one who passed on the big bucks of Wall Street in favor of advocating for the poor and voiceless of Chicago.

The man who burst onto the national scene with his incredible, poetic and timely speech about One America at the 2004 Democratic National Conference. The very same man who shortly thereafter won an open U.S. Senate in Illinois with a record 90% of the vote.

This was also the man who gave one of the finest candidate announcement speeches on the frigid day in Springfield Illinois. And later in Philadelphia, while exhibiting grace under fire like few others in contemporary politics, gave the finest speeches on race in American history.

The man who has truly harnessed the power of the internet and created the first true peoples campaign of modern times.

The man whom "connected" African American pols dismissed in favor of Ms Hillary but whoim the people came to to love. The man middle Americans, urban, rich, poor, people of faith--and especially hardworking Whites have flocked to in droves--even if rightwing haters want us to believe otherwise.

The very same man that has withstood an endless round of attacks from rightwing politics and their radio and cable scheechers as well as from the Clinton smear machine. The same man the even today has the wingnuts going after his wife Obama.

And it's that man that still Hillary and Bill (and their ragged gang of sycophants and money launderers) have to this day given respect.

The law professor from the University of Chicago, and the author of the brilliantly written The Audacity of Hope and Dreams from My Father.

That man, father of the two little girls, husband of Michelle's--a family that exemplies the best of America now and to come.

That man. Obama. The next President of the U.S.A.

As Obama has repeatedly stated, "Only in America".

Obama's Puerto Rico Assisted Victories

So what happened to Obama in Puerto Rico? Why didn't he perform better? Afterall, he told Boricuas that he too was an islander, spoke Spanish, and even toured Ponce, the authentic city.

Yet, Hillary won in convincing fashion: 68% to 32. Where did Obama go wrong?

Political pundits have various theories, but they all assume that he seriously competed. But what if he didn't--by design? What if the real objective was to tie Hillary and company down in Puerto Rico so Obama and his strategists could focus on their priorities, i.e., Montana, South Dakota, Florida and Michigan?

My belief? We may have just witnessed a political headfake. A trick familiar to any basketball player, including Obama. The Obama camp gave the illusion of seriously competing for Puerto Rico, but spent their time and money elsewhere.

This tactic may have allowed an additional benefit of dampening voter enthusiasm. People in Puerto Rico (and elsewhere) are more likely to turn out if they can see and feel a true competition. Without the promised battle of the titans to excite, many Puerto Ricans lost interest. A weak voter turnout effectively denies Hillary the possibility of gaining a triple digit vote advantage.

A third benefit to the freeing of Obama's brain trust to focus on this weekend's DNC rules committee meeting. Anyone watching the proceedings could tell that the Clintonistas--who were thought to own the rules committee--were being maneuvered. The pro-Obama outcomes did not occur by happenstance.

(An alternative view is that allowing Hillary to dominate in Puerto Rico may be part of a "negotiated" exit strategy. That is, allow Hillary to leave on a high note, and to do so with a constituency that doesn't matter in terms of national elections, but is important to a New York politician with an eye on the next election.)

Clinton may have won a light primary in Puerto Rico, but it seems to me that she lost the wider war.

Puerto Rico Presidential Primary XIII: Lechón Asado

Lechón Asado

The Puerto Rico Primary
The Puerto Rico "primary" is a crypto-democratic act: We are selecting delegates who will be able to vote at the Democratic Convention even though they won't be able to vote in the general.

Clinton takes Puerto Rico after losing key party vote
A day after party leaders handed her a bruising defeat, Sen. Hillary Clinton consoled herself by winning the Puerto Rico primary, a contest that will produce a strong delegate count but little meaning for the general election, news networks said Sunday.

Clinton wins Puerto Rico primary
Hillary Rodham Clinton won a lopsided, but largely symbolic victory Sunday in Puerto Rico's presidential primary, the final act in a weekend of tumult that brought Barack Obama tantalizingly close to the Democratic presidential nomination.

Puerto Rico moves Obama closer to nomination
Barack Obama crept closer to clinching the Democratic presidential nomination Sunday, gaining at least 14 delegates in the Puerto Rico primary.

Hillary Clinton Projected Winner of the Puerto Rico Primary

Radio Isla 1320 and CNN projects Hillary winner of the Puerto Rico primary "by a large margin" -- 60% to 40%.

Reports of Disastrously Low Puerto Rico Voter Turnout

"Disastrous" is how a political analyst on Radio Isla 1320 describes what appears to be a Puerto Rico voter turnout far below official expectations. The expectation based on anecdotal evidence is that fewer than 350,000 voters island-wide will cast votes.

Polls close in 30 minutes.

Puerto Rico Presidential Primary XIII: Pasteles

Pasteles

Momma's Voting For Obama
I just got an email from my older brother who lives in the western part of PR. He is on his way to pick up my 80 year old mom and they will both vote for Obama today.

Democrats deal blow to Clinton ahead of Puerto Rico vote
The Democratic Party has restored the states of Michigan and Florida to its presidential convention with only half of their voting power, dealing a severe blow to Hillary Clinton ahead of Sunday's primary in Puerto Rico.

I Voted in Puerto Rico Today - Si Se puede!
Clinton's popular vote argument hinges on Puerto Rico now that Michigan has been removed from the equation. I am interested in how this plays out, because it could finally drive a stake through the undead heart of this silly argument.

Clinton Aims for Puerto Rico Win After Setback in Party Meeting
Hillary Clinton is counting on a lopsided win in Puerto Rico's Democratic presidential primary to shore up her argument that she is better able to beat Republican John McCain in November than her rival Barack Obama.

Puerto Rico Primary: Voters Head To The Polls
In Puerto Rico, some polling places in the capital of San Juan were busy soon after they opened while others were idle.

Puerto Rico gets its moment in the political sun
At 86, the Puerto Rican grandfather hardly typifies Obama's voter demographic. But Oms, wearing thick eyeglasses and a blue-and-yellow short-sleeved shirt with an Obama button, is enthusiastic and well-versed in mainland talking points.

Puerto Rico Goes to the Polls Today
Recession, war, high oil prices – all of these hit Puerto Rico hard, and early.

Clinton stumps, Puerto Rico wins
Sen. Hillary Clinton mounted a furious final day of campaigning Saturday across a halfdozen Puerto Rican towns in what is expected to be a victory for her against Barack Obama in Sunday's primary.

Puerto Rico Presidential Primary XII: Tostones

Tostones

Presidential primary brings attention, frustration to Puerto Rico
Puerto Ricans enjoy US citizenship but limited benefits from it. They serve in wars, are subject to payroll taxes - without getting the same benefits as state residents - and are not guaranteed all of the rights in the US Constitution,

The end is (probably) near
On Sunday, Puerto Rico holds its primary. Talk about a primary no one five months ago thought would matter. But like a string of other states and territories, Puerto Rico has benefited from this hard-fought primary season.

Rain Doesn't Dampen Clinton's Spirits in Puerto Rico
It rained on Hillary Clinton's parade.

Will Puerto Ricans boycott presidential primary?
BUT THERE ARE people in Puerto Rico who think the ultimate statement is one they can make towards the candidates – ignore both of them. Why, they wonder, should they take any interest in the U.S. presidential primaries when they don’t get any say in the general election, or any representation in Congress?

Limelight Falls on Colorful Puerto Rican Primary
Of course, Puerto Ricans want to protect their own culture, their own language, their own candidate in Miss Universe competitions, which they've won an extraordinary five times. And most mainland politicians seem more or less satisfied with the quasi-colonial status quo. So while on June 1st Puerto Ricans will exert more influence than they've ever had before in U.S. politics, by June 2, they'll still lack the right to vote for their commander-in-chief.

Will Clinton or Obama be voted off the island?
So even though Hillary, Bill and Chelsea Clinton have spent enough time wandering around Puerto Rico over the last few weeks that you could easily confuse them with tourists who got a good rate on a family vacation package, it's looking like the turnout for Sunday's primary won't hit the mark Clinton needs to take a lead in the popular vote before the Democratic campaign finally lurches to an end on Tuesday.

Stumping to island beat
Where the candidates see voters, Puerto Rico sees an opening. Local leaders, long frustrated by what they view as Washington's indifference, say the primary is a rare opportunity to focus American attention on island issues.

Clinton: 'This is Puerto Rico's time'
“I want to see Puerto Rico’s status resolved within my first term,” she said. “I have loved campaigning through Puerto Rico because I believe this is Puerto Rico’s time, that you have waited long enough.”

Puerto Rico inmates cast early ballots for Dem. primary
Arturo Vazquez is locked up for assault and robbery, but he and hundreds of other prisoners may have a say in choosing the next president of the United States, casting early ballots Friday in Puerto Rico's key Democratic primary.

Looking Ahead to the Hispanic Vote
Scott Simon talks with Gebe Martinez, contributing columnist to Politico.com, about the upcoming Puerto Rico Democratic primary and how the Hispanic vote could break down in an Obama-McCain race. Puerto Rico holds its primary on June 1.

Puerto Rico Presidential Primary XI: Sancocho

Puerto Rican Sancocho

Puerto Rico Primary Splits Island’s Independentistas
It's a sign of Puerto Rico's zany political scene that a famous comedian sometimes doubles as a pundit. Silverio Pérez, known for hosting TV shows on Telemundo and Univisión, is also unusual for another reason: he's an independentista, one of the small percentage of Puerto Ricans who advocate for the island to become independent, ending its 110-year history as a U.S. possession.

Puerto Rico, Obama and the Politics of Race
What does all this racial politics portend for the territory’s upcoming primary? Obama has swept U.S. states with sizable African American populations like South Carolina. Puerto Rico however could be another story however as it is by no means clear that island residents self identify as black. On June 1st, we may see Latinos continue to vote en masse for a white candidate over a black one.

Latin artists support Obama in music video
More than 20 stars from the Latin music and film community released a Spanish-language video in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Thursday, days before Puerto Rico's primary. The video, "Podemos con Obama," or "We can With Obama," features such Puerto Ricans as actor John Leguizamo and hip hop artist Don Omar, and international pop stars Alejandro Sanz and Paulina Rubio. Actors George Lopez and Jessica Alba also participated.

Puerto Rican primary presents confounding issues
This isn't to say that watching the candidates on television swigging Presidente beer or jigging to island music wasn't amusing. To this Puerto Rican, there's something mildly uplifting about seeing presidential wannabes making nice with Latinos on something other than immigration.

Curtain closes on long Democratic process, Hillary willing
This just in: Ricky Martin, the Latin singing sensation, has endorsed Hillary Clinton in advance of next week’s Democratic Presidential Primary in Puerto Rico. The entertainer has a good sense of timing – he’s doing his number right before the curtain comes down.

Puerto Rico Presidential Primary X: Spanish Speaking Obama

English translation:

I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message.

I was born on an island, and I understand that food, gas, and everything costs more.

Puerto Rico has a right to a better future. My plan offers new incentives to replace the 40,000 jobs that have been lost. And invest in the education of Puerto Rican children.

On June 1st, it would be an honor to count on your vote.

Puerto Rico Presidential Primary IX: Mongo

Pew Hispanic Center: Fact Sheet on the Puerto Rican Electorate
The Pew Hispanic Center today released a fact sheet on the demographics of eligible voters in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The fact sheet contains information on elections in Puerto Rico and data on the size and social and economic characteristics of the Puerto Rican eligible voter population. This fact sheet is based on the Center's tabulations of the Census Bureau's 2006 Puerto Rico Community Survey.

More yawns than cheers in Puerto Rico primary
Local elections routinely attract 80 percent of voters. And the Democratic primary is open to all registered voters of whatever party, because Puerto Rico doesn't register voters by party. Nevertheless, electoral officials predict fewer than 25 percent of the 2.3 million registered voters will turn out for Sunday's primary.

Puerto Rico: Apatía hacia la primaria: Muchos alcaldes del PNP son republicanos.
La movilización de electores a las urnas para la primaria de este domingo dependerá de la capacidad de los políticos locales en superar la apatía que tienen en sus filas: la gran mayoría de los alcaldes penepés son republicanos y algunos de sus homólogos populares no aplauden este proceso.

More On Puerto Rico
Thus, 32-23 Clinton on the delegates, a plus 9 in the delegate count for Clinton. This is based on Clinton winning by 57-43. My prediction today. Clinton picks up about 75,000 in the popular vote.

Todos Somos Americanos
“Ich bin ein Berliner”, was how John F. Kennedy in 1963, during the height of the Cold War, sought to reaffirm US support towards democratic West Germany shortly after the construction of the Berlin Wall.

Fast forward to 2008 and Presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, in a keynote speech on his proposed policies towards Latin America evoked a similar notion of solidarity (and use of a foreign language catchphrase…) by declaring: “¡Todos Somos Americanos!” (We are all Americans!)

ALP: "Squeezed" and "Fighting for "Puerto Rico"
The American Leadership is an independent pro-Clinton group that has been running ads on her behalf.

Related:
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary VIII: Livin' La Vida Loca
Puerto Rico Primary Poll Questioned
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary VII: Partidos Politicos
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary VI
Hóla, Puerto Rico!: Puerto Rico Presidential Primary V
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary IV
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary III
Latinos Shift to Obama
An Obama Victory in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary II
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary
Puerto Rico to Pick the Next U.S. President? It may not be so crazy
Angelo Falcon: Puerto Rico & the U.S. Presidential Election
Puerto Rico's Anibal Acevedo-Vila Endorses Barack Obama
Independentistas Tap Puerto Rico's Anti-War Sentiment

Puerto Rico Presidential Primary VII: Partidos Politicos

The Campaign for Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico won't be a swing state in November. It's not even a state, and its 4 million residents aren't allowed to vote in the general election. Its partisan politics have little in common with the mainland's; the main competitors are not Democrats and Republicans, but "commonwealthers" and "statehooders," and while they are divided into reds and blues, the reds of the commonwealth party are more likely to favor Democrats, while the blues of the statehood party skew more Republican.

Democratic Primary a Big Moment for Puerto Rico
The close race for the Democratic presidential nomination has unexpectedly put Puerto Rico — and its 63 delegates — in the spotlight. Political analyst Juan Manuel Garcia Passalacqua talks with Alex Chadwick about the climate leading up Tuesday's primary.

A first person account of the Dem primary in Puerto Rico
Well, despite his tiredness, he charmed the pants off the island. The front pages this morning had full page pictures of his beaming smile and crowds of people. The headline in El Nuevo Dia was Obama Enchants Puerto Rico: Walks through San Juan, Dances Salsa. Meanwhile the headline for Hillary's visit was Hillary brings an Avalanche of Promises.

Puerto Rican nationalists predict low turnout
Leaders of Puerto Rico‘s independence party predict a low turnout for Sunday‘s Democratic primary.

Clintons campaign together in Puerto Rico
"Puerto Rico should support Hillary because she understands you better," Bill Clinton told the crowd.

Clinton Parties in PR, Acknowledges the Odds
Eager to put her controversial remarks about Robert Kennedy's assassination behind her, Sen. Hillary Clinton took off to Puerto Rico this weekend, where she shimmied to Enrique Iglesias, swigged from a bottle of Presidente beer and once again proclaimed her determination to continue her longshot campaign.

Related Posts:
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary VI
Hóla, Puerto Rico!: Puerto Rico Presidential Primary V
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary IV
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary III
Latinos Shift to Obama
An Obama Victory in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary II
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary
Puerto Rico to Pick the Next U.S. President? It may not be so crazy
Angelo Falcon: Puerto Rico & the U.S. Presidential Election
Puerto Rico's Anibal Acevedo-Vila Endorses Barack Obama
Independentistas Tap Puerto Rico's Anti-War Sentiment

Puerto Rico Presidential Primary VI

Desperate to Change the Dynamic of the Race, Clinton Accepts A Debate Offer in Puerto Rico
Hillary Clinton said today that she would accept a debate offer from a major Spanish language television channel in Puerto Rico in the coming days because she said, “the issues facing Puerto Rico are serious and deserve a serious debate.”

Campaigning in Puerto Rico, Hillary Clinton speaks of faith in the face of setbacks
"There isn't anything we cannot do together if we seek God's blessing and if we stay committed and are not deterred by the setbacks that often fall in every life."

Democrats campaign hard in Puerto Rico
On the mainland, Obama is black, but not in Puerto Rico,” said Juan Manuel García Passalacqua, a political commentator. “Here he is a mulatto, and this is a mulatto society. People here are perfectly prepared to vote for someone who looks like them for president of the United States.”

Clinton, Obama Campaign in Puerto Rico
In his remarks to a small group of veterans Saturday, Obama criticized the presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain for opposing legislation that would provide college scholarships to people who have served in the U.S. military.

Statehood for Puerto Rico? Candidates Don’t Care
When it comes to Puerto Rico, the presidential candidates want to have it both ways.

Obama’s mulatto primary
A few things struck me about this. Number one, race isn’t an “obstacle,” racism is an obstacle. The problem isn’t that Obama is black, the problem is that some folks have a problem with the fact that Obama is black.

Related Posts:
Hóla, Puerto Rico!: Puerto Rico Presidential Primary V
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary IV
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary III
Latinos Shift to Obama
An Obama Victory in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary II
Puerto Rico Presidential Primary
Puerto Rico to Pick the Next U.S. President? It may not be so crazy
Angelo Falcon: Puerto Rico & the U.S. Presidential Election
Puerto Rico's Anibal Acevedo-Vila Endorses Barack Obama
Independentistas Tap Puerto Rico's Anti-War Sentiment

Hóla, Puerto Rico!: Puerto Rico Presidential Primary V

Obama Campaigns in Puerto Rico
The beats of salsa and reggaeton were pulsing, the sun was shining and the waves of the Atlantic were rippling in the distance when Senator Barack Obama walked into La Plaza del Quinto to greet supporters one week before the Democratic presidential primary here.

When languages matter: Obama tests his Spanish in Puerto Rico
U.S. presidential candidates don’t often make it to Puerto Rico, so the language barrier is not usually a problem.

The Road to the White House Goes Through Puerto Rico?
Who would have thought that seventeen months into this nomination process, the two leading Democratic presidential nominees are battling it out in – Puerto Rico? Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have taken their campaigns to a territory with no constitutional right to vote in the general election and an island where the residents are not required to pay federal income taxes.

Obama Campaign Redoubles Efforts to Reach Hispanic Voters
"Hóla, Puerto Rico! How's everybody doing today?" Obama shouted to a crowd gathered in Old San Juan, before he led dancing supporters along the seaside battlements for a raucous caminata, the traditional candidate parade. "I am thankful, I am grateful. . . . If we do well in Puerto Rico, there is no reason I will not be announcing that I am the Democratic nominee for president of the United States of America!"

Clinton Greets Puerto Ricans: Buenas Noches!
“Buenos Noches!”

Puerto Rico's moment in the sun
The throbbing beat of plena, blaring from a speaker truck, shook the Plaza del Quinto Centenario this afternoon as Barack Obama embarked on that most Puerto Rican of campaign appearances: the caminata.

In visit to Puerto Rico, Obama criticizes McCain for not supporting new veterans' benefit bill
Barack Obama told veterans Saturday that he cannot understand why Republican John McCain opposes legislation that would provide college scholarships to people who have served in the U.S. military.

Will Puerto Rico Determine the Dem Nominee?
On June 1st, Puerto Rico will hold its primary, the third to last contest of this long and drawn out Democratic race. Barack Obama spent the day campaigning in the territory, hoping to reap some of its 55 pledged delegates up for grabs next Sunday.

Obama stirs up South Florida crowds
Barack Obama whipped up some Cuban-American leaders in Miami and an arena-sized crowd in Broward County on the last leg of a three-day tour kick-starting his presidential campaign in Florida.

Comments Cast Shadow on Last Laps in Primaries
Yet even though Mrs. Clinton apologized for invoking the death of Senator Robert F. Kennedy on Friday — she said she was simply explaining how many races had gone on longer than hers, including in 1968, when Mr. Kennedy was killed in June — the reverberations have raised fresh questions about her motivations, overshadowing her campaign here and in the remaining two states.

Obama, Clinton Make Campaign Pitches in Puerto Rico
Barack Obama, campaigning today in Puerto Rico, pledged to improve health care and other assistance for the more than 150,000 military veterans living in the U.S. territory.

Puerto Rico con Obama - Plaza Las Americas Rally

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Puerto Rico Presidential Primary II
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Angelo Falcon: Puerto Rico & the U.S. Presidential Election
Puerto Rico's Anibal Acevedo-Vila Endorses Barack Obama
Independentistas Tap Puerto Rico's Anti-War Sentiment

James Henry Webb - War Hero, Secretary of the Navy, U.S. Senator, Virginian and Obama VP Prospect

James Henry Webb is the man who took out the GOP's leading presidential in 2006, Virginia's George Allen, by defeating the popular former governor and incumbent U.S. Senator.

A decorated war hero, author and Secretary of the Navy under Ronald Regan, Webb says he was compelled to run for public office for two reasons: 1) the Bush administration's strategic blunder in tying the U.S. military in Iraq during a "war against international terrorism that's global"; and 2) the shameful lack of national leadership in response to Katrina.

Many Obama supporters and political pundits believe Webb is a near perfect VP choice for Obama. Here's a glimpse of the man from his recent visit to the Tonight Show with David Letterman.