Posted: Mon 26 May 2008 13:54 Post subject: Obama and Puerto Ricans
Quote:
May 25, 2008
NY Times
Puerto Rico Gets Its Moment in the Sun (the Political One) as Primary Nears
By LARRY ROHTER
SAN JUAN, P.R. — Puerto Rico traditionally complains of being ignored by the rest of the United States, but that has just changed, if only for the moment. With a Democratic presidential primary to be held here on June 1, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton began their Memorial Day weekend on Saturday campaigning in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean.
Mrs. Clinton, now the clear underdog in the race, has been especially active, combining American and Latin American campaign techniques in hopes of demonstrating her strength in yet another Hispanic constituency. She has not only employed television and radio advertisements in Spanish and English, but has also sent batucada percussion ensembles and mobile loudspeakers playing reggaetón chants into the streets to spread her message.
Mr. Obama was honored here on Saturday at a caminata, a political parade, where hundreds of admirers gathered in La Plaza del Quinto and marched with him and waved “Obama Presidente” signs high in the air.
Puerto Rico will send 55 pledged delegates to the Democratic convention, nearly twice the combined total of Montana and South Dakota, the states with balloting on June 3 that will bring the primary season to an end. But given that Mr. Obama has won a majority of the pledged delegates and also leads among superdelegates, Mrs. Clinton’s effort suggests she has an additional objective in mind here.
“She’s trying to run up her margin of victory” to win more popular votes over all than Mr. Obama and bolster her contention that she would be the stronger candidate in November, said Angelo Falcón, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy. But that argument is not particularly persuasive, Mr. Falcón said, “due to this colonial relationship Puerto Rico has with the United States, which means that people on the island aren’t allowed to vote for president.”
About four million people live in Puerto Rico, and a roughly equal number of Puerto Ricans reside on the mainland, with the largest concentration in the three-state New York City metropolitan area.
Because Puerto Rico is a semi-autonomous commonwealth and not a state, only Puerto Ricans living on the mainland can cast ballots for president in November.
Politics here inevitably revolves around the issue of the island’s peculiar status in relation to the United States, with one major party advocating statehood and the other favoring a continuation of the current arrangement, known as a “free associated state.” Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama have tried to avoid getting embroiled in that debate, issuing Delphic pronouncements and taking care to appoint one campaign co-chairman from each party.
As he took questions at an event in the city of Bayamón on Saturday morning, Mr. Obama heard an array of concerns from residents who said they felt like second-class citizens.
“What it comes down to is respect,” Mr. Obama said.
Though polling here is sketchy, Mrs. Clinton is regarded as the clear favorite. She is a familiar figure to Puerto Ricans, dating to her time as first lady, when she got involved in disaster relief after Hurricane Georges in 1998 and met with protesters seeking an end to the Navy’s use of the island of Vieques for bombing practice.
In Congress, Mrs. Clinton has pushed to include Puerto Rico fully in government social welfare programs and has sponsored legislation specifically for the benefit of the island, which sends only a nonvoting delegate to Congress.
“She is the senator from New York and the senator for Puerto Rico, and people here are aware of that,” said Kenneth McClintock Hernández, a statehood advocate who is one of Mrs. Clinton’s campaign managers on the island.
At a rally on Saturday evening in Aguadilla, at the western end of the island, Mrs. Clinton struck many of those same themes. To cheers, she said, “I believe you should have a vote in picking the president,” even before the issue of the island’s status is resolved, and promised that if elected, her administration would “fully clean up” the Vieques site.
“My commitment to Puerto Rico did not start last month or last year,” Mrs. Clinton said, taking a swipe at Mr. Obama. “It stretches back more than a decade.”
Roberto Prats Palerm, the Democratic Party chairman and Mrs. Clinton’s other campaign manager, said that between them, Bill and Chelsea Clinton had spent a week on the island, attending more than two dozen events. Until his arrival this weekend, Mr. Obama had visited just once, for a fund-raiser last year, though his wife, Michelle Obama, campaigned for him here earlier this month.
But Mr. Obama, whose local advertisements emphasize that he was also born and raised on an island far from the American mainland and consciousness, has run into difficulties, too. Early in the year, he was endorsed by Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, the governor of Puerto Rico. In late March, though, Mr. Acevedo was charged with 19 counts of violating federal election and campaign finance laws, and he stepped down as co-chairman of the Obama campaign.
“There is no question that Hillary Clinton has more name recognition” and that voters are aware of the governor’s problems, said Eduardo Bhatia, a chairman of the Obama campaign. “But we have been making up ground fast.”
There have indeed been some recent signs of an Obama upswing. Last week, for instance, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico campaigned for him in the streets of Ponce, the main city on the southern coast of the island, accompanied by the city’s mayor, nominally a Clinton supporter, and former Gov. Rafael Hernández Colón, the popular patriarch of Puerto Rican politics.
Mr. Obama began his 20-hour tour of Puerto Rico in Bayamón, where he met with a small group of veterans. Later, he took part in the caminata in Old San Juan.
A series of Obama jingles, set to the beat of salsa and reggaetón, filled the air on Saturday as Mr. Obama walked along San Miguel Street. He told residents they could have a large voice in the election, saying, “If we do well in Puerto Rico, there’s no reason why I will not be announcing that I am the Democratic nominee for president of the United States of America.”
As in other recent primaries, race may also end up playing a role in determining how people vote. But here, Mr. Obama’s biracial identity is perceived as working to his advantage.
“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.”
Posted: Thu 29 May 2008 02:05 Post subject: Re: Obama and Puerto Ricans
Powell wrote:
Quote:
May 25, 2008
NY Times
Puerto Rico Gets Its Moment in the Sun (the Political One) as Primary Nears
By LARRY ROHTER
“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.”[/b]
Jeff Zeleny contributed reporting
Curious. Are there any mulatos and other Afrodescendant politicians in Puerto Rico? We only see the very light skinned ones.
Are there any looking like Adolfo Carrion of New York?
Posted: Thu 29 May 2008 18:17 Post subject: Re: Obama and Puerto Ricans
Quote:
May 25, 2008
NY Times
Puerto Rico Gets Its Moment in the Sun (the Political One) as Primary Nears
By LARRY ROHTER
“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.”[/b]
That irks me so much. Puerto Rico doesn't get to decide what Barack Obama is, and if they're voting for him because of his skin color, what the heck kind of vote is that?
And what of Mrs. Obama? Does she get a safe-pass because her husband is biracial?
Joined: 02 May 2006 {Posts: 353 } Location: Île-de-France
Posted: Thu 29 May 2008 19:49 Post subject:
Quote:
So currently none because all of these are now dead. This in a society where most are of mixed ancestry
What? Your logic seems to jump a few steps. In a society where almost all are of mixed ancestry, almost all of the politicians are of mixed ancestry as well. Here are two current politicians with visible african ancestry.
Mayor of Humacao, Marceclo Trujillo
Mayor of Loiza, Eddie Manso Fuentes
And Famu, why is it upsetting to you that Puerto Ricans decide for themselves what Obama is to them? I think they are simply observing that the guy has both african and european ancecstry just like they do. In PR black + white does not equal black and puerto ricans aren't going to change this logic for Obama.
I believe the commentator is not suggesting that they will vote for him only because of his skin color, but rather look at it as a non-factor, as opposed to how it was a likely factor in places like West Virginia.
And what of Mrs. Obama? Does she get a safe-pass because her husband is biracial?
A safe-pass from what?
From reasonable questions/scrutiny, etc. If people are judging Obama simply on the fact that he's biracial, I guess Mrs. Obama won't be judged as she should, either.
It's like, "We're going to vote for someone who looks like us". Huh?
Posted: Fri 30 May 2008 20:49 Post subject: Re: Obama and Puerto Ricans
Famu wrote:
Quote:
May 25, 2008
NY Times
Puerto Rico Gets Its Moment in the Sun (the Political One) as Primary Nears
By LARRY ROHTER
“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.”[/b]
That irks me so much. Puerto Rico doesn't get to decide what Barack Obama is, and if they're voting for him because of his skin color, what the heck kind of vote is that?
And what of Mrs. Obama? Does she get a safe-pass because her husband is biracial?
Joined: 30 May 2008 {Posts: 15 } Location: This Universe
Posted: Sat 31 May 2008 01:18 Post subject: Re: Obama and Puerto Ricans
pls_stfu wrote:
Famu wrote:
Quote:
May 25, 2008
NY Times
Puerto Rico Gets Its Moment in the Sun (the Political One) as Primary Nears
By LARRY ROHTER
“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.”[/b]
That irks me so much. Puerto Rico doesn't get to decide what Barack Obama is, and if they're voting for him because of his skin color, what the heck kind of vote is that?
And what of Mrs. Obama? Does she get a safe-pass because her husband is biracial?
At least PRs have some damn sense.
I'm new here (just joined today, actually), so I might be a little unfamiliar with how things work here, but...what is that supposed to mean?
Posted: Sat 31 May 2008 13:04 Post subject: Re: Obama and Puerto Ricans
Famu wrote:
Quote:
May 25, 2008
NY Times
Puerto Rico Gets Its Moment in the Sun (the Political One) as Primary Nears
By LARRY ROHTER
“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.”[/b]
That irks me so much. Puerto Rico doesn't get to decide what Barack Obama is, and if they're voting for him because of his skin color, what the heck kind of vote is that?
And what of Mrs. Obama? Does she get a safe-pass because her husband is biracial?
Many people support or don't support Obama because of his skin color. The overwhelming support for Obama in the African American community is due largely in part to his racial background and members seeing him as one of their own. Many people who fancy themselves progressive support Obama because they see him as a unifying figure due to his racial background.
People often base their vote on whether or not the person running for office is one of their kinsmen. Nothing unique about this in the world, and this will become more blatant in the future in the U.S.
Posted: Sun 01 Jun 2008 18:16 Post subject: Re: Obama and Puerto Ricans
G-Man wrote:
Famu wrote:
Quote:
May 25, 2008
NY Times
Puerto Rico Gets Its Moment in the Sun (the Political One) as Primary Nears
By LARRY ROHTER
“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.”[/b]
That irks me so much. Puerto Rico doesn't get to decide what Barack Obama is, and if they're voting for him because of his skin color, what the heck kind of vote is that?
And what of Mrs. Obama? Does she get a safe-pass because her husband is biracial?
Many people support or don't support Obama because of his skin color. The overwhelming support for Obama in the African American community is due largely in part to his racial background and members seeing him as one of their own. Many people who fancy themselves progressive support Obama because they see him as a unifying figure due to his racial background.
People often base their vote on whether or not the person running for office is one of their kinsmen. Nothing unique about this in the world, and this will become more blatant in the future in the U.S.
I do not believe that the overwhelming support from the African American community comes because Obama identifies as a black man.
In fact, he didn't have much African American support in the beginning of the race, and it wasn't until African Americans (and others) began to learn more about him and respect him as a candidate that he began to gain their trust and their votes.
Saying Obama is "one of their own" is not the same as someone saying "we're voting for Obama because he's mulatto". Oh really? Is that why Clinton is leading in the polls or what?
Joined: 30 May 2008 {Posts: 15 } Location: This Universe
Posted: Sun 01 Jun 2008 19:56 Post subject: Re: Obama and Puerto Ricans
G-Man wrote:
The overwhelming support for Obama in the African American community is due largely in part to his racial background and members seeing him as one of their own.
Largely? I disagree, mainly because in the earliest rounds of the contest, most polled African Americans were supporting Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama, 60% to 20%. There was very heavy debate over whether or not Obama would even be able to win the "black vote", seeing as he was so new to politics, and most polled African Americans had a higher trust of the Clintons and their brand of politics. There have also been speculations that African Americans, like many others, began to support Barack Obama once they saw that he actually had a chance of being elected.
I actually believe that the support in the AA community comes from learning more about him (his specific background, but also that of his wife and family), his policies, and in direct response to the perceived disregard the Clintons have held for African Americans who view themselves as being the one of the main reason Bill Clinton was elected in the 90's.
Do you remember what happened after Bill Clinton correlated Jesse Jackson's wins to that of Obama's? Although Obama said that he was not personally insulted by the comparison, many African Americans (among others) reported that they felt it was insulting to automatically compare two "Black" candidates with dissimilar campaigns (making their only common factor their "blackness").
Coupled with Bill's "Obama played the race card on me" and Hillary's Lyndon B. Johnson comments, I think the Clinton's put themselves in an extremely awkward position, that has all but facilitated the influx of pro-Obama support among African Americans.
I think one of the more personal reasons the support began to pour into Obama's camp is because African Americans felt they'd been used and taken for granted.
Although African Americans do identify with Barack Obama's background, to say that this is largely why they support him seems a little misguided, as I don't recall either Alan Keyes nor Cynthia McKinney garnering much racial support.
African Americans are also supporting Barack Obama for the same reason that the majority of his supporters are behind him: He offers a safe and reliable alternative to a Hillary Clinton government, and represents a new change in politics. And well, like the rest of his supporters, they are drawn to his attractive (read: his own attractiveness as well) new brand of politics and the whole "cool" factor.
And we all know that Barack Obama has the youth vote pretty much in his pocket. In 2004, 88% of the 6.3 million African Americans between 18-29 were registered democrats or independents. Could it be that this demographic might be one of the largest reasons his support is so strong? African Americans between the ages of 18-29, according to reported 2004 presidential elections trends , are the most politically active and engaged racial and ethnic group.
(I tried searching for data that gives a solid statistic of youth African American vote numbers vs. older African American vote numbers and their preferences, but we most likely might have to wait until 2009.)
As an aside, I can say from personal experience, all of my African American friends (20-28 age range) were pro Obama in early January. Their parents were pro Clinton. Now, both sects are firmly settled in Obama's camp. And it really had little to do with his ethnic background.
I mean, in my personal opinion, a 40 point lead doesn't just "evaporate" because African Americans are responding largely to Barack Obama's "racial background". There are a great deal more idiosyncrasies located within the African American community to which I believe your analysis does a great disservice.
Posted: Mon 02 Jun 2008 11:59 Post subject: Re: Obama and Puerto Ricans
Famu wrote:
G-Man wrote:
Famu wrote:
Quote:
May 25, 2008
NY Times
Puerto Rico Gets Its Moment in the Sun (the Political One) as Primary Nears
By LARRY ROHTER
“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.”[/b]
That irks me so much. Puerto Rico doesn't get to decide what Barack Obama is, and if they're voting for him because of his skin color, what the heck kind of vote is that?
And what of Mrs. Obama? Does she get a safe-pass because her husband is biracial?
Many people support or don't support Obama because of his skin color. The overwhelming support for Obama in the African American community is due largely in part to his racial background and members seeing him as one of their own. Many people who fancy themselves progressive support Obama because they see him as a unifying figure due to his racial background.
People often base their vote on whether or not the person running for office is one of their kinsmen. Nothing unique about this in the world, and this will become more blatant in the future in the U.S.
I do not believe that the overwhelming support from the African American community comes because Obama identifies as a black man.
I stated it was due largely to his racial background (his blackness) coupled with the historical significance of his running for the office of president, not exclusively to how he is perceived racially.
Quote:
In fact, he didn't have much African American support in the beginning of the race, and it wasn't until African Americans (and others) began to learn more about him and respect him as a candidate that he began to gain their trust and their votes.
That may be due to the belief that he wasn't a strong competitor at that time. Once he statrted showing himself to be a strong competitor, he became more attractive. His race made him more so IMO. Nothing particulary unique about this. Many voting decisions are influenced by the voter's support for people who look like the voter or come from the voter's tribe. Why else do you think John Lewis switched his support from Clinton to Obama?
Quote:
Saying Obama is "one of their own" is not the same as someone saying "we're voting for Obama because he's mulatto". Oh really? Is that why Clinton is leading in the polls or what?
Who says Puerto Ricans aren't as familiar with the issues as African Americans? Many Puerto Ricans who support Obama may be basing their support largely on his appearance and the assumption that because of that, he is more sympathetic to their concerns, such as they are. Also, it's quite possible many Puerto Ricans are simply unimpressed with his look and focus squarely on the issues as they see them. Given his loss, it's apparent his hue scored no points for most Puerto Ricans, but it may have for some.
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