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Clinton's Memorial Day Message Focused on Voting Rights for Puerto Ricans
May 26, 2008 8:11 PM
ABC News' Eloise Harper reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton’s Memorial Day service came at the end of the day today. Clinton stood at an official ceremony outside the capitol building in San Juan, Puerto Rico. By her side stood her daughter Chelsea and her husband the former president. Clinton’s entire message was focused on the need to give Puerto Ricans the right to vote, especially in light of the service they provide and have provided to our country.
"It is a day to cherish freedoms and opportunities that so many have sacrificed fought for and died to defend," she said. "As we are gathered here in front of this magnificent capitol building, we look at this memorial monument, every single name reminds us of the sacrifices that have been made by the brave men and women of Puerto Rico."
Clinton defended the people of this island and their justification of having a right to vote.
"To anyone who would suggest that the people of Puerto Rico do not deserve equal treatment, equal benefits, equal opportunities because of their position as United States citizens, I say come see this monument, read the names on this monument," she said.. "These are the names of fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters who have given, as President Lincoln described, the last full measure of devotion.
"Puerto Rico deserves to have its sacrifice noted," she said. "You deserve to have leadership in Washington that respects and honors this sacrifice and all who serve. The real test is not what we say but what we do. The real challenge is how we can not just make speeches that contain promise, but deliver on those promises. It is for me a sacred obligation.
"I believe it is long past time that we give the people of Puerto Rico, United States citizens all, an equal voice in the vote for the commander in chief who sends young Puerto Ricans to war," the New York senator said.
The tone and demeanor of this event was much more serious and somber than that of events Clinton held earlier in the day in Ponce, P.R., where she was greeted by a loud band that shouted “Hillary! Hillary!” over and over. At that same event, Clinton uttered a little Spanish, saying, “si podemos!” a thing she rarely does. The senator also met with two families who she listened to and laughed with as they shared stories.
May 26, 2008 in Bush, George W. | Permalink | User Comments (41)
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why was hillary still in puerto rico begging for their votes when she should of been in the states observing memorial day like the rest of the canidates she is a selfish sad sad lady i in the beginning supported hillary very strongly i being a woman was excited about having a woman for president but now with everything ive heard and seen out of hillary i can just say if she is gonna be the first woman president no thanks dont want her im voting obama never mcsame
Posted by: angie | May 26, 2008 11:47:17 PM
Obama will lose to McCain in the Fall.
Through bitter experience,maybee the Democrats will see the light. Although sexism is a powerful survival instinct, Democrats will learn to their BITTER detriment,that sexism does NOT pay.
Let's hope they will learn their lesson, and hopefully Obama will learn to be less codescending.
Posted by: Magdalen | May 26, 2008 11:57:05 PM
Angie,
It's easy to ignore that Puerto Rico has contribute more soldiers to the wars US has participated than most states.
Not only PR should vote for the President, but also have Senators and Representatives to defend their interest.
Hillary, we respect your position!
Posted by: Wanda | May 27, 2008 12:00:44 AM
Its amazing how you can tell the difference of an Obama supporter and a Clinton supporter. Clinton supporter are diplomatic, talks about substance and less foul language. Obama supporters on the other hand limits their arguments to personally attacking Hillary and uses foul language to support their claims against Hillary. What a pity. I just wish that these Obama voters will take some time to read history, current (world) events, and stick your head out of the sand - because you are like ostriches - pretending that OBAMA will have the ability to command respect against Putin, OBAMA/Osama bin laden (i'm being sarcastic) - I felt the need to spell it out just incase you dont get it. Wake up and look at the world outside of America. Stop being so myopic and be realistic of how someone like Obama, who lacks the experience as opposed to Hillary, who has done a lot of remarkable works (track record). Obama Voters, if you don't know about this - then POOR you. Don't drag your country down because of your ignorance.
Posted by: firewoman | May 27, 2008 12:05:56 AM
" For the first time in my life, I'm proud to be an American"
What a PRIMITIVE and STUPID thing to say, Michelle Obama.
Posted by: Magdalen | May 27, 2008 12:07:50 AM
firewoman,
You know another way to tell the difference between Hillary and Obama supporters?
Clintonites lie like their candidate and Obama supporters use facts, real math and tell the TRUTH like their candidate!!!
Posted by: Davis | May 27, 2008 12:42:13 AM
Davis,
It is a pretty PRIMITIVE AND STUPID remark for Obama to say that small town Americans are bitter and and therefore need to resort to guns and violence.
Not a smart thing to say to the electorate.
Posted by: Magdalen | May 27, 2008 12:46:20 AM
Senator Clinton used the RFK remark, to serve the Obama camp with the caution, that Obama must remain vigilant of peril at such an intensely critical time. It is a woman's instinct to be protective of her own circle, and Obama is after all a Democrat. If anything, Senator Clinton did Obama a favor. All Senator Clinton did was to illustrate just how thoughtful, caring and nurturing women are.
Posted by: Magdalen | May 27, 2008 1:38:54 AM
I think it's important the Hillary has highlighted the service and sacrifice of Puerto Rico.
How telling that a number of Obama supporters here are so misinformed as to say she was in the "islands" enjoying herself instead of being here in the states on Memorial Day. How little do they know our history or how many we should honor.
I am more than used to the outrageous insults to President Clinton and Senator Clinton, but to denigrate the service of Puerto Ricans for our country?
Please, at least TRY to learn of a subject before you speak and show your complete ignorance.
Puerto Rico has served our country well and sacrificed much. Why shouldn't she spend the day there, and at the end of the day draw notice to the service Americans like to forget.
Posted by: drae | May 27, 2008 1:54:04 AM
Puerto Rico- want the right to vote in American politics- then become a state, and pay taxes & into SSI and all sorts of things like that.
Posted by: g | May 27, 2008 2:09:24 AM
magdalen
You spin like Hillary. Is it a Woman thing?
When her senate seat is up, my home state of New York is going to kick Hillary and her "fun lovin hubby" all the way back to Ark. where they belong. I remember when she first ran in NY and she said she was "always a Yankees fan." That was a sign of things to come. She tells you what you want to hear and believes you are fool enough to believe it. A vote for Puerto Rico- yea right.
Posted by: Roger | May 27, 2008 4:29:52 AM
Hillary claims that she is the only one who can deliver.
What is that mean? Has she ever said where she got this magic "delivery" wand. The truth: She is pulling the wool over the eyes of her blind followers, the "suspenders of belief."
I heard Obama outline how he is going to deliver on health care by using C-Span and summoning the grassroots to pressure congress.
Hillary is full of it and I am glad the collective conscious of the American saw through that.
Posted by: anti-corporate-fascism | May 27, 2008 9:48:10 AM
"On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes — and I see many of them in the audience here today — our sense of patriotism is particularly strong"
Obama gives a Mememorial Day speech to a crowd of dead people.
Posted by: geevill | May 27, 2008 10:09:16 AM
Magdalen -
Shhhhhhh......
This is one of the untouchables according to Obama rules; "For the first time in my life, I'm proud to be an American" What a PRIMITIVE and STUPID thing to say, Michelle Obama.
"The notion" that Obama and family trash the country he is seeking for presidency is perfectly acceptable, according to these rules, but "the notion" that what his wife said in campaigning stump for him is totally unacceptable is completely acceptable, according to these rules.
Phony and hypocrisy in display.
Posted by: a new name | May 27, 2008 10:25:48 AM
Huh?
Does anyone realize that in order to vote in anything then other a primary Puerto Rico needs to become a state? That's their choice. It comes up every once in a while but citizens of Puerto Rico don't support it. its their call, and as a devil advocate why would they? They get Federal funding and no taxes or other meddling by the Federal Government.
Is Hiliary proposing to allow any one to vote in US elections?
Sadly all the speeches lately sound like a High School class president speech. Next thing both Hiliary and Obama will be arguing free lunch and recess for every one.
Posted by: Jerry | May 27, 2008 11:14:28 AM
As evidenced in Puerto Rico, the collapse of the Clinton brand continues. It turns out that lack of character continues to clobber these two political gangsters.
Hillary and Bill once blended 1960's idealism with ruthless political skills. Once the idealism faded, power corrupted completely. Rather than simply outwit their political enemies, they used their power to destroy anything that got in their way.
Today, the enemies "in the way" are our institutions: the media, the democratic party, and historians.
Sharing a forum, platform or microphone is clearly annoying to Hillary. After years of crafting messages that were summarily injected into the national dialogue has atrophied.
The inability to dictate rules, perception and agendas is driving them insane. The process of finding someone else to blame has reached a fever pitch.
The Clintons are like a heat-seeking missile loose in the atmosphere. They dare anyone to light a match.
Obama must make them livid.
Posted by: gorgon '08 | May 27, 2008 11:56:20 AM
If they can't pay taxes, they shouldn't have a say in who governs our country. They should be making us promises not vice versa.
Posted by: Jayne | May 27, 2008 1:23:04 PM
Puerto Rico should have No Say in this
primary just as its people are not
allowed to vote in the general election!
The people of Puerto Rico have
repeatedly rejected the idea of becoming
our 51st state! So be it!
Their popular vote in this primary
should not be added to either candidates
current popular vote totals!
Primary elections should have the same
rules as the general election regarding
who can participate in said elections!
The primaries and caucuses should be
limited to the 50 states, period!
Posted by: reaganfan | May 27, 2008 1:32:12 PM
This will soon be over ,and then all of America will see what Sen. Clinton ,and former President Clinton is all about.They were once looked upon as the next Kenndys ;but now that they have behaved in such a way that,they have lost the respect,of those who was with them in the begining of their political climb to public service ,and now to go out like this is so sad!you have cut into three generations ,and you will not see the damage until this campiage is over!very sad day!
Posted by: DOWAYNE PETERSON | May 27, 2008 1:50:04 PM
I had been under the impression the states who are part of U>S> are the ones who vote in the primaries. How can a country who pays no taxes to our goverment, etc be allow even to vote in primaries let alone the upcoming election. Hillary can make all the promises she wants. Hopefully she remembers them. I believe it was March or april 1992 when Paul Tsongas dropped out not June. It is like that 'sniper fire"
Posted by: wilhelmina78 | May 27, 2008 2:34:36 PM
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