Puerto Rican politicos unite behind Obama

Hillary Clinton may’ve won the Puerto Rican Democratic primary and the island’s political parties generally don’t get along with one another. But earlier today several “high-profile representatives” representing some of Puerto Rico’s main political parties got together to campaign in favor of Barack Obama. The politicos united in an Orlando rally to urge mainland Boricuas to vote for Obama though Puerto Rican residents on the island do not have the right to vote.

Why Obama? The president of Puerto Rico's Senate explains:

* Obama has offered to settle the statehood, commonwealth or independence debate by involving the White House and the U.S. Congress in supporting the island’s decision.
* Obama’s platform includes an offer of parity for federal funding between Puerto Rico and other states on issues such as Medicaid and Medicare.
* Obama represents a radical change from a George W. Bush administration that many believe has largely ignored island issues.

In a visit to Florida earlier this month, Republican presidential candidate John McCain advocated a referendum to decide Puerto Rico’s political status. “It seems to me that we should be guided by a referendum where the people of Puerto Rico decide what their future should be,” said McCain at a town hall meeting held in Orlando.

Image- Time (Barack Obama campaigning in Puerto Rico earlier this year).

Sources- The Latin Americanist, Politico, Orlando Sentinel, miamiherald.com