Leaders of Puerto Rico's two major political parties unite behind Dean

[ldoolin]

SAN JUAN--In an unprecedented joint announcement, Congressman Aníbal Acevedo Vilá was joined by Democratic leaders of the Commonwealth and Statehood Parties in endorsing Democratic presidential candidate Governor Howard Dean, M.D. here yesterday. The endorsement is the first time in over half-a-century that the leaders of both the Statehood and the Commonwealth parties have united behind a single presidential candidate this early in the race.

"Dean represents a bright future for Puerto Rico and great hopes for the people of the United States. I support Howard Dean because he supports Puerto Rico. He will honor the will of the people of Puerto Rico when choosing our ultimate destiny," Congressman Aníbal Acevedo Vilá explained.

Joining the congressman at yesterday's press conference were Senator Roberto L. Prats, the chair of the Democratic Party of Puerto Rico and a leader of the Commonwealth Party, Senator Kenneth McKlintock, Democratic National Committeeman and a member of the Statehood Party, and Democratic National Committeewoman Dr. Celita Arroyo de Roques

more at
http://www.rifordean.org/PostNuke/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=87&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&POSTNUKESID=871d6e114a952f8141dd306303845d8f

[Toucano]

1. Great news!

How many electoral votes does PR have? :evilgrin:

[goobergunch]

2. They do have convention delegates

58 of them.

And Acevedo-Vilá and Celita Arroyo de Roques are superdelegates.

[Toucano]

3. Okay.

Thanks for the information. I was teasing of course; hence the evil grin.

But I didn't know about their delegate count.

[desi]

4. None

...but their endorsement can swing votes in several primary states. Clark carries some baggage with Puerto Rican voters since he was for continuing the naval operations (bombing) on Vieques Island.

[Toucano]

7. Does it seem strange

that PR can help us nominate, but not help us elect?

[artr2]

5. Supporters of other candidates

will now say positively Dean can not win and must drop out now.

[mikehiggins]

6. Nah, some of us say this

There are less than 1000 hours left until the ball drops.

We aren't going to convince anyone else on DU to sign up with our guy, not Dean supporters, not Kerry supporters, not anyone.

It really isn't worth the effort to reply to the old tried and true anti-Clark crap, whether its Pristina or Waco or whatever.

Just shut it down and let's move on.

We've got an election to win and it isn't going to get won here.