Bill Clinton: Puerto Rico key to wife’s popular vote claim

May 27, 2008

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton took to rural Puerto Rico on Tuesday, urging islanders to turn out in large numbers in a weekend presidential primary to give his wife Hillary a majority of the popular vote cast in all Democratic contests.

Speaking before some 300 workers of a uniform factory in this town in Puerto Rico's central mountains, Clinton said his wife as president would move to allow Puerto Ricans to determine whether they should retain their commonwealth status with the United States, become a state or be independent.

Puerto Ricans now have a rare chance to help decide which candidate will face presumed Republican nominee John McCain in November, and Clinton said their future is at stake in Sunday's primary.

The audience applauded, but Clinton may have fallen short of stoking election fervor.

Six employees of Ciales Uniform stood chatting on the lawn fronting the stage after the speech. Only one said he was certain he would vote on Sunday. Edwin Berrios, 47, a mechanic at the plant that makes uniforms for the U.S. military and the Boy Scouts, said he would vote for Clinton "because I like her."

Norma Colon, who waited to greet Clinton after his speech, said she would vote for Hillary Clinton and wants her to improve medical care and create jobs in this U.S. Caribbean territory.

Clinton said a big victory for his wife in Puerto Rico's presidential primary would boost her claim to an advantage in the popular vote.

"If you vote for her on Sunday in large numbers you will ensure that she wins the most votes cast in this long presidential primary," he said, as an interpreter translated his remarks into Spanish.

Ciales Mayor Luis Roland Maldonado presented Clinton with a cuatro, a local guitar-like instrument with 10 strings. Clinton said he would add it to his saxophone-heavy instrument collection.

A local band sang ballads as Clinton, wearing a light gray suit, posed for photos with workers.

Puerto Rico has 55 delegates up for grabs in Sunday's Democratic primary. Clinton's rival, Sen. Barack Obama, is just 48 delegates short of the 2,026 needed to win the nomination. Obama campaigned in Puerto Rico on Saturday and is due to return to the island.

Sen. Clinton is counting on her history with Hispanic voters to give her an edge in the island primary. The New Yorker finished a three-day campaign trip here Monday by telling islanders they ought to have more say over U.S. politics.

Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in the general election for president.

About 100 supporters turned out earlier Tuesday in the western town of Lares, where Clinton chatted with locals in a leafy plaza and sampled ice cream at a shop known for its exotic flavors such as ginger, corn and garlic. Clinton chose mango.

Source: Associated Press

Posted by Hillary · Filed Under Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, News, Top Story

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One Response to “Bill Clinton: Puerto Rico key to wife’s popular vote claim”

Joe S. Ragman on May 27th, 2008 7:16 pm

They remind me of an old, skipping, vinyl 33 rpm record…Bof’ them gOoFs is flat STUCK on stOOpid!!! I guess they just like to hear themselves recite the same tired ol’ tune…and to what end? Only THEY know for sure…

And I’m embarrassed for ‘em.

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Bill Clinton: Puerto Rico key to wife’s popular vote claim

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