Democratic Primaries

TexasTowelie

(112,413 posts) Wed Mar 27, 2019, 07:40 AM Mar 2019

O'Rourke Favors Statehood for Puerto Rico

Democratic presidential nomination hopeful Beto O’Rourke said he endorses statehood for Puerto Rico as “the only way to to permanently resolve the problem of a permanent second-class citizen status.”

O’Rourke emphatically denounced what he considered to be a second class treatment by the U.S. government to the people of Puerto Rico.

“The only way I see us being able to permanently resolve the problem of a permanent second-class status for the citizens of Puerto Rico is to ensure they are a state, so that they have two U.S. senators who can vote, that they are fighting day in and day out for their [citizens’] rights, their protections, their investment in infrastructure, and their ability to provide for one another.

“So, Puerto Rico needs to have that first-class status and it won’t get it until it is a full first-class state, O’Rourke said during a rally in Las Vegas this weekend.

Read more: http://www.sanjuanweeklypr.com/pdf/Mar-26-19/local.pdf
(Page 4 out of 5)

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

18 replies

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O'Rourke Favors Statehood for Puerto Rico (Original Post) TexasTowelie Mar 2019 OP

Excellent! He's right, and I hope more of our candidates and elected officials join him. femmedem Mar 2019 #1

There has been plenty of criticism of Beto stating that he doesn't stake out his policies, TexasTowelie Mar 2019 #2

He has thrown out specifics before but few people paid attention dalton99a Mar 2019 #6

Excellent news! The reforendum has been on the back-burner too damn long! Amimnoch Mar 2019 #3

It seems like the right thing to do. True Dough Mar 2019 #4

It is long overdue. dalton99a Mar 2019 #5

K&R stonecutter357 Mar 2019 #7

What do Puerto Ricans think about it? It's come up before and got shot down... TreasonousBastard Mar 2019 #8

It's better than saying nothing - or throwing them paper towels dalton99a Mar 2019 #9

2012 WeekiWater Mar 2019 #10

They favor it after the hurricane. Demsrule86 Mar 2019 #13

Statehood would certainly help . . . peggysue2 Mar 2019 #11

So do I. Demsrule86 Mar 2019 #12

He is right BlueFlorida Mar 2019 #14

Who wouldn't? mcar Mar 2019 #15

Absolutely. Give the people their vote. backtoblue Mar 2019 #16

As should we all, and DC. Long, long overdue. Maru Kitteh Mar 2019 #17

FYI - Carmen Yulin Cruz does not support statehood. She's also running for Governor. seaglass Mar 2019 #18

femmedem

(8,207 posts)

1. Excellent! He's right, and I hope more of our candidates and elected officials join him.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 07:45 AM

Mar 2019

Not only is lack of statehood hurting Puerto Rican's residents, but it is contributing to prejudice and discrimination against Puerto Ricans living in the states.

Good for Beto for being a leader on this.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

TexasTowelie

(112,413 posts)

2. There has been plenty of criticism of Beto stating that he doesn't stake out his policies,

Reply to femmedem (Reply #1)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 07:49 AM

Mar 2019

but I agree that he is taking a lead on this issue and other immigration issues.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

dalton99a

(81,570 posts)

6. He has thrown out specifics before but few people paid attention

Reply to TexasTowelie (Reply #2)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 08:34 AM

Mar 2019

For example he said that the Supreme Court should be expanded to 15

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

Amimnoch

(4,558 posts)

3. Excellent news! The reforendum has been on the back-burner too damn long!

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 08:05 AM

Mar 2019

Since it was a resolution in committee in the House that was never brought to a vote, can't it be brought to a vote now and force the Senate to vote?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

True Dough

(17,320 posts)

4. It seems like the right thing to do.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 08:05 AM

Mar 2019

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

dalton99a

(81,570 posts)

5. It is long overdue.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 08:22 AM

Mar 2019

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

stonecutter357

(12,697 posts)

7. K&R

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 08:35 AM

Mar 2019

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)

8. What do Puerto Ricans think about it? It's come up before and got shot down...

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 09:00 AM

Mar 2019

like a lot of good ideas get shot down.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

dalton99a

(81,570 posts)

9. It's better than saying nothing - or throwing them paper towels

Reply to TreasonousBastard (Reply #8)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 09:12 AM

Mar 2019

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

WeekiWater

(3,259 posts)

10. 2012

Reply to TreasonousBastard (Reply #8)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 09:14 AM

Mar 2019

On November 6, 2012, eligible voters in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico were presented with two questions:

(1) whether they agreed to continue with Puerto Rico's territorial status and (2) to indicate the political status they preferred from three possibilities: statehood, independence, or a sovereign nation in free association with the United States.[28] A full 970,910 (54.0%) voted "No" on the first question, expressing themselves against maintaining the current political status, and 828,077 (46.0%) voted "Yes", to maintain the current political status. Of those who answered on the second question 834,191 (61.2%) chose statehood, 454,768 (33.3%) chose free association, and 74,895 (5.5%) chose independence.[2][3]

2017

A referendum on the political status of Puerto Rico was held in Puerto Rico on June 11, 2017.[1] The referendum had three options: becoming a state of the United States, independence/free association, or maintaining the current territorial status.[2] Those who voted overwhelmingly chose statehood by 97%; turnout, however, was 23%, a historically low figure.[3] This figure is attributed to a boycott led by the pro-status quo PPD party.[4]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Puerto_Rican_status_referendum

Some polling info:

https://pasquines.us/2017/06/08/statehood-likely-win-overwhelming-majority-puerto-rico-status-vote/

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

Demsrule86

(68,667 posts)

13. They favor it after the hurricane.

Reply to TreasonousBastard (Reply #8)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 07:51 PM

Mar 2019

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

peggysue2

(10,839 posts)

11. Statehood would certainly help . . .

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2019, 11:48 AM

Mar 2019

the present situation where Trump is still whining about funds being sent to the island for hurricane restoration. And threatening to cut the current levels even though Puerto Rico is far from being made whole. Without full representation, PR citizens lack the voice in Congress and have been reduced to second-class status.

So, I think O'Rourke is absolutely right on the issue.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden