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Bill Clinton to Puerto Rico: 'We Need You'

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April 07, 2008 7:40 AM

ABC News' Sarah Amos Reports: With so few states left in the Democratic primary, former President Bill Clinton headed off the continent and into more uncharted waters today, for his wife's first official campaign event in Puerto Rico.

"I am glad to be back in Puerto Rico. I hope you are glad that your votes will count in the presidential election in the United States. We need you," Clinton told a small, but enthusiastic crowd at the Lloren Torres Housing project.

One of the largest housing projects in Puerto Rico, the neighborhood is clearly a destination for politics. Both San Juan mayoral candidates held large and raucous rallies directly next to the Clinton event.

The current incumbent mayor stuck around for Clinton's speech, bringing many of his supporters and even more media into the event.

Brevity was the theme of the day, as the former President kept his remarks under 5 minutes. For those keeping score, even the warm-up signers were on stage for longer than Clinton.

Before beginning the rally, Clinton visited with a family who lived in Llorens Torres. He spoke, partially through a translator, to the mother of the house, her children and nearby friends.

By the time Clinton took the stage at the rally, the crowd was eager to see the man who was causing so much excitement outside. It was an energy Clinton did not let slip by.

"it has been a perhaps a long time since the votes of the people of Puerto Rico mattered so much to the future of the United States, but since you have given so much to the United States- in the military, in filling our cities, in doing our jobs, made our culture so much richer.  It is a good thing that your voice will be heard and will resound on June 4 all over the United States," Clinton said as he wrapped up his speech, "And I hope you will say, we want Hillary to be the next President."

Puerto Rico's primary takes place on June 2.

After the rally Clinton headed to a industrial meeting, where he served as the key note speaker on the economic future of Thar state.

Despite the economic focus and more international locale, Clinton stayed far, far away from making mention of Mark Penn's forced removal from his wife's campaign. Instead, he stuck to the issues the people of Puerto Rico cared about, including relations with the continental United States and healthcare. 

"For all these reasons I ask you to support her and I pledge this - if you do she and I will always support you!" said Clinton, bringing his first event to a close.

Tomorrow the former president continues his campaign efforts in Puerto Rico, with events in Barceloneta, Salinas and Ponce.

April 7, 2008 in Bush, George W. | Permalink | User Comments (18)

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But Puerto Rico has no electoral college votes so it must not matter, right Senator Clinton? You certainly are transparent, but not in the positive sense.

Posted by: DVS | Apr 7, 2008 8:36:05 AM

Puerto Ricans are not Mexicans. Obama has done very well with Puerto Ricans within the continental USA. Good luck Hillary, you're gonna need it.

Posted by: chas0x01 | Apr 7, 2008 9:25:48 AM

We shouldn't be talking about this. What ABC should be talking about is why Hillary's claims regarding NAFTA does not measure up to her actions.

She said she opposed it, yet her actions were not that of someone opposing something. Why is ABC not focused on THAT? No one cares about some fat, ugly, disgusting pig who was demoted to the background.

Furthermore, no one cares about some pink faced loon talking about "we need you" everywhere he goes. I thought the mere mention of the Clinton Name sent chills down the spine of people. Ha, you see Clinton's you overplayed your hand....

Anyway ABC report the real news. Report the questionable income of the Clinton's. Oh, we forget the most biased news org. that ever lived - aside from FOX!

Posted by: Lani | Apr 7, 2008 10:13:44 AM

Maybe if they'd donated some of those many millions to the Rican's to help build better projects and living conditions, perhaps he'd have a chance.

Speaking of donations and money, I have to give it to the Clinton's they are slick people indeed. Slick Willy and Willeta. They gave 10 million to charity, money that goes into their OWN charity, what a riot. Of course only half the money is spent. And to top it off, that money was only given when she decided to run! What a total riot. When you're raking in millions of dollars every year, why not wait UNTIL you run for office and then donate to charity and your OWN charity at that. You can sure fool the voters - well some of them anyway. We all know Cindy is worth Millions, I wonder how much she's given to charity or CHARITIES over say the past 7.5 years.

What does this teach us? It teaches us, not to go putting down the Obama's. At least they AREN'T worth MILLIONS of dollars. And, at least they didn't sink millions of dollars into their own charity at the last minute, as if people would be stupid enough to fall for that.

Now, let's look at the rest of that return and why Bill will need much more than just help from the citizens of Puerto Rico!....

Posted by: Franklin | Apr 7, 2008 10:33:38 AM

Obama cannot win. He should drop out.

Posted by: Patrick McIntire | Apr 7, 2008 12:00:58 PM

Let's see, Bill Clinton had a chance to take Osama Bin Laden and refused to do
so! However before he left office
he pardoned terrorists from the FALN!
I wonder how many FALN supporters
will vote for Hillary!
Are these really the people you want
back in power?
They ignored the terrorist threat prior
to 9/11 and released terrorists before
leaving office and those are Facts!

Posted by: reaganfan | Apr 7, 2008 12:08:18 PM

Onevote,

You are a joke. ALL OF WHAT CLINTON SAYS IS A LIE. She created S-Chips? What a f'ing lie. That was created by Ted Kennedy and Orin Hatch. Military benefits? Please. She worked in conjunction with OTHERS. The NAFTA deal, she is walking around lying about. There is proof she supported it. The voters of Ohio should feel like fools. Simply stated, she didn't create sh// and she didn't oppose sh//. Those were not legislative acts intro. by her! And she did support her hsubands agenda of NAFTA - despite what she says now. Get over it.

If he lies and I am sure he does, well then she is just a walking bobble headed liar herself.

LOM,
Which charity would you be speaking of dope? Would you be talking about their international foundation? The one that takes in about 50+ million from VARIOUS donors and operates PRIMARILY overseas? You know - the one that has a solid paper trail? Or do you mean the that was setup out of their NY apartment, is run from their apartment and the one where Bill is listed as the President, Hillary as the Treasurer and Chelsea as the Director? Ha! Give me a break. Yeah I've looked it up and researched it ALL. Have you?

Posted by: Franklin | Apr 7, 2008 12:48:28 PM

They should be talking about this and more. Are you people aware of what it takes to create 109 million in 7 years? That should be looked into. Her taxes should be looked into. Bill's going around the country stating "we need you", "she can't do it without you", "rich people don't need presidents"(the most laughable thing to date - especially when it turns out the disgraced guy is filthy rich), should all be talked about.

Posted by: Manuel | Apr 7, 2008 12:52:32 PM

The republicans have been playing in our primarys for far to long why do you think MCcain place so high in the polls for the general race do you really think that all the voters who have voted for Obama are going to be there in Nov. and he has another big problem there is no way about 20 million women who will not vote for him is not going to hurt him when you win the race by maybe 100,000 votes so keep acting the way you do Obama supporters it just pushes the Clinton supporters closer to being able to vote for MCcain

Posted by: Bishop | Apr 7, 2008 12:56:16 PM

And as someone else said Bishop, when she runs in 2012 his supporters will return the favor and either vote for McCain or Romney. She will lose again. She will be a two time loser. So, you all just keep at it.

Posted by: graham | Apr 7, 2008 1:00:05 PM

she has a bigger base so we all will keep at it.

Posted by: Bishop | Apr 7, 2008 1:07:39 PM

Hillary Clinton is a compulsive liar. I do not want a president who is a compulsive liar. She lies and smiles when she lies to the american people as if lying to the american people come naturally. She lied about almost dying and about a woman being denied health care. She lied about sniper fire is disrespectful to our troops and to the voters who loved one's were killed. Stop lying enough is enough. If she can lie about possible death and smile while lying to th american people than that is scary. She is a compulsive liar and that is a fact. If you vote for Hillary than you must think it is okay to lie to the american people.

Posted by: michael | Apr 8, 2008 4:33:03 PM

Puerto Rico right now is in favor of Hillary. As a puertorrican that I am, I also have to say that the candidate that do something to solve the political status of the island will have a step ahead to win BIG the primary in the island. Hillary and Obama have both the opportunity to support the senate bill S.1936 which is designed to solve the political status of the island. None of them has sponsored this bill. John McCain is a co sponsor of this bill which was presented by Sen. Ken Salazar (D - Colorado).

Posted by: Pedro | Apr 8, 2008 8:06:16 PM

Puerto Ricans love Hillary. Obama will just tail behind,, sorry they love the lady and not a novelty with empty and dubious promises aggrvated by his pastor assosication. They are conservative and would stick to the tested one rather than a fresh one who is still hunger for power and fame and very risky for them.

Posted by: asb | Apr 8, 2008 11:03:28 PM

Obama is loser. His pastor will kill his chances in Puerto Rico.

We of all people, who have been subjected by the power of the US military for over 100 years, still do not say GOD DAMN AMERICA, like Obama does.

Posted by: Waleska | Apr 9, 2008 6:27:27 PM

FYI Nuyoricans do not share the common concerns and issues that need to be addressed by Puerto Ricans living on the island. Please dont assume the views to be share. According to "American Polls" about 5% of Puerto Ricans want independence. Have you notice the struggle of the Puerto Rican people? I am for any person who will stand up and say- "Im sorry". Sorry for the laws and actions of the former presidents and government officals who fail to realize and succefully address the crisis in P.R. and I would work to the best of my ability to (key word) enable Puerto Rico to indepently work on a system created by and for the Puerto Rican People so that they may ultimtly choose it's status without forced. "DARE TO BE FREE"

Posted by: JMDiaz | Apr 20, 2008 2:27:25 AM

Both candidates have similiar records. The difference is Obama has planned his running since day one and had voted the same as Clinton. The other difference is that Clinton's healthcare plan has been noted by Edwards and United Kingdom as the best in all candidates. Sure, all candidates have lied. McCain's lies are double than Clinton and Obama put together. Obama lies too. To try to obtain the latin vote, he stated he was a key player in Chris Dodd's immigration bill and Chris responded by saying that was a lie. Obama does take contributions from top oil executives. It is illegal for any candidate to take money from "register" lobbyist. It's been illegal since the 1800s. Clinton is the only candidate that wants to introduce a bill, pass it and to eliminate contractors such as Blackwater in Iraq. Obama has lied about his Nuclear Waste Leak Bill. Unfortunately the media is very biased and will cover all all of Obama's lies. Research them. Obama also wanted a gas tax relief and you know what even if it is just a fill up, that means even making 7.00 an hour, that's almost a full days of work pay. So, pennies do matter in this economy. Obama once supported the gas tax relief. Check it out, research it.

Posted by: Maira | May 8, 2008 9:58:19 PM

Any who eliminates his opponents before and election is just a cheat. Any who say they are doing good work for the needy to provide housing and pockets the money is a crook. Any who says they are a civil rights lawyer and really represents slum lords is a lire. Any one who says they can relate to the poor because they were on food stamps too, is full of it. Hawaii didn't have them. Anyone who has renounced their American citizenship for another country has no business running for president of this country.

Posted by: Rita | May 21, 2008 9:07:51 AM

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