The 2012 Puerto Rico Primary

[Marx]

The Puerto Rico primary takes place on March 18th. Who will win? Who will lose?

(In keeping with the tradition of the 2008 election season...all debates, primaries, and caucuses will have their own threads to ensure that the political forum continues to run smoothly.)

Discuss.

[Matt]

I think that it is nonsense that Puerto Rico gets a say in primaries. I know that Puerto Ricans do not vote in the general election but still....it is a reflection of our relationship with our "territory." Any time annexation comes up, they shoot it down...and why shouldn't they? They enjoy all of the privileges and protections of statehood without paying the income tax.

[hippie_hunter]

Originally Posted by Matt

I think that it is nonsense that Puerto Rico gets a say in primaries. I know that Puerto Ricans do not vote in the general election but still....it is a reflection of our relationship with our "territory." Any time annexation comes up, they shoot it down...and why shouldn't they? They enjoy all of the privileges and protections of statehood without paying the income tax.

Actually, it's quite possible that this year Puerto Ricans will approve of statehood. The pro-statehood PNP has a commanding majority within the government (the governorship and a supermajority in both houses of the legislature) and the statehood option is currently on top in the polls.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by hippie_hunter

Actually, it's quite possible that this year Puerto Ricans will approve of statehood. The pro-statehood PNP has a commanding majority within the government (the governorship and a supermajority in both houses of the legislature) and the statehood option is currently on top in the polls.

Well that would certainly be interesting. Will it go to a public referendum or can their legislature and governor make the decision? Think that our Congress will approve? Gotta admit, it would be pretty damn crazy to see our Congress reject them after their government finally approves which I could see happening if one of our political parties decides that a new state would be electorally inconvenient.

[hippie_hunter]

Originally Posted by Matt

Well that would certainly be interesting. Will it go to a public referendum or can their legislature and governor make the decision?

It's a public referendum. They are given two questions, the first will be if they want to change the status quo. The second question is if the yes vote wins on the first question what would they like for the new status quo: statehood (currently leading in the polls), free association, independence (which is a very small minority, like less than 5%).

The vote is coming up in November.

Think that our Congress will approve? Gotta admit, it would be pretty damn crazy to see our Congress reject them after their government finally approves which I could see happening if one of our political parties decides that a new state would be electorally inconvenient.

Congress and Barack Obama has already approved to support whatever decision Puerto Rico makes. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, and Newt Gingrich have also come out supporting to respect how the vote turns out. If statehood wins, Puerto Rico will become a state.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by hippie_hunter

It's a public referendum. They are given two questions, the first will be if they want to change the status quo. The second question is if the yes vote wins on the first question what would they like for the new status quo: statehood (currently leading in the polls), free association, independence (which is a very small minority, like less than 5%).

The vote is coming up in November.

Congress and Barack Obama has already approved to support whatever decision Puerto Rico makes. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, and Newt Gingrich have also come out supporting to respect how the vote turns out. If statehood wins, Puerto Rico will become a state.

Wow. It seems like a real possibility. It's crazy how under the radar all of this is considering it could be a major point in our country's history.

[Dr. Evil]

Originally Posted by hippie_hunter

It's a public referendum. They are given two questions, the first will be if they want to change the status quo. The second question is if the yes vote wins on the first question what would they like for the new status quo: statehood (currently leading in the polls), free association, independence (which is a very small minority, like less than 5%).

The vote is coming up in November.

Congress and Barack Obama has already approved to support whatever decision Puerto Rico makes. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, and Newt Gingrich have also come out supporting to respect how the vote turns out. If statehood wins, Puerto Rico will become a state.

And yet America's enemies in the region (namely Cuba and Venezuela) will accuse the US of forcing statehood on Puerto Rico if it becomes a state. Puerto Rico becoming a state also greatly affects the sporting world. Puerto Rico has their own national sports teams and compete in the Olympics as a separate team even though they are an American territory. Puerto Rican athletes become in affect, Americans. It would no doubt strengthen the American team, especially in Baseball. The London Olympics could be the last time Puerto Rico is in the Olympics.

Isn't the pro-statehood governor of Puerto Rico up for re-election this fall?

The Puerto Rican vote may also cause the US Virgin Islands, Guam and any other American territories to hold their own referendums.

[SentinelMind]

Originally Posted by hippie_hunter

It's a public referendum. They are given two questions, the first will be if they want to change the status quo. The second question is if the yes vote wins on the first question what would they like for the new status quo: statehood (currently leading in the polls), free association, independence (which is a very small minority, like less than 5%).

The vote is coming up in November.

Isn't that a misleading way to devise the poll? Technically a large plurality could prefer to keep status quo than choosing any of the alternate options but still lose based on the order the questions are asked.

[SV Fan]

Originally Posted by Matt

Gotta admit, it would be pretty damn crazy to see our Congress reject them after their government finally approves which I could see happening if one of our political parties decides that a new state would be electorally inconvenient.

Don't forget how inconvenient it will be to the flag to add an extra star

[Matt]

Baseball is no longer an Olympic sport.

[Dr. Evil]

Originally Posted by Matt

Baseball is no longer an Olympic sport.

No but having Puerto Rico as a state would mean a much deeper American team for the World Baseball Classic. Also their top track and field athlete Javier Culson would make an already deep USA Track and Field squad better if Puerto Rico became a state. Of course, that would mean that Culson would be a part of a team in a sport no Americans watch.

Basically all of Puerto Rican teams would probably be absorbed into the American teams.

[Matt]

Is that really a reason to accept or deny their entry into the Union though?

[Dr. Evil]

Originally Posted by Matt

Is that really a reason to accept or deny their entry into the Union though?

Nope.

Maybe it's just me, but I think their governor looks a bit like Milhouse

There are other issues though that Puerto Rico has to deal with in regards to statehood.

[Matt]

His mom says he's the coolest governor.

[Dr. Evil]

How much English is spoken in Puerto Rico anyways?

[NY1981]

Originally Posted by Dr. Evil

How much English is spoken in Puerto Rico anyways?

Not enough according to Santorum.

[hippie_hunter]

Mitt Romney has won Puerto Rico with over 50% of the vote.

[Marx]

...no surprises there.

[Thundercrack85]

Rick Santorum telling them they need to learn English probably didn't endear him much.

Wonder what he'll say to Cajuns in Louisiana.

[hippie_hunter]

Turns out that Mitt Romney won Puerto Rico with 83% of the vote. Ron Paul came in last, doing even worse than Fred Karger. Both he and Gingrich did worse than Buddy Roemer.

[Dr. Evil]

Originally Posted by williams7

I think that it is nonsense that Puerto Rico gets a say in primaries.

Maybe so, but this year, they may be inching one step closer to statehood.

[SV Fan]

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...1#.T2KLENWlN8E


Nice way to try win a few votes. lol

Rick Santorum is defending his call for English to be the main language in Puerto Rico, saying today it should be a "condition" for statehood.

The question of Puerto Rican statehood -- or stipulating a language requirement as a condition -- aren't typically issues that arise in a GOP presidential primary race.

But Puerto Rico will hold a primary Sunday and 20 of 23 delegates will be allocated. A referendum on Puerto Rico's political status is on the Nov. 6 ballot.