Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage Control
thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com
Rick Santorum alienates some on Puerto Rico by suggesting English should be the main language.
Mike Nova shared a link.
Santorum Clarifies His Comments on English in Puerto Rico
blogs.wsj.com
Rick Santorum said Spanish would remain the language of Puerto Rico Thursday as he walked back comments to a San Juan newspaper that the territory should adopt English as its official language.
In every interview he has done in Puerto Rico, Santorum had to treat the subject of the Spanish and statehood http://end.pr/AmotbZ (Translated by Bing)
News
March 15, 2012
10:58 a.m.
Dominated By Language Is The Santorum Campaign In Puerto Rico
Politicians and analysts discussed the issue in the morning program on CNN. Video
En cada entrevista que ha hecho en Puerto Rico, Santorum ha tenido que tratar el tema del español y la estadidad http://end.pr/AmotbZ
Noticias
15 marzo 2012
10:58 a.m.
Dominada por el idioma la campaña de Santorum en Puerto Rico
Políticos y analistas discutieron el tema en el programa mañanero de la cadena CNN. Vídeo
Updates
3/15/2012 – Page 1 – Mike Nova: Did Santorum choose to fall on his own sword in Puerto Rico?
Mike Nova's starred items
Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage Control - New York Times (blog)
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage Control - New York Times (blog)
Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage Control - New York Times (blog)
The Associated PressCourting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage ControlNew York Times (blog)By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE Dennis Rivera for The New York TimesRick Santorum and his family touring Old San Juan on Thursday as he ended his trip to Puerto Rico. SAN JUAN, PR — Rick Santorum spent part of Thursday trying to calm a firestorm of criticism ...Santorum: never said only English for Puerto RicoThe Associated PressSantorum: English must be adopted...
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
3/15/2012 – Part 1
3/15/2012 – Part 1
Puerto Rico News Updates En cada entrevista que ha hecho en Puerto Rico, Santorum ha tenido que tratar el tema del español y la estadidad http://end.pr/AmotbZ In every interview he has done in Puerto Rico, Santorum had to treat the subject of the Spanish and statehood http://end.pr/AmotbZ (Translated by Bing) Dominada por el idioma la campaña de Santorum en Puerto Rico end.pr Políticos y analistas discutieron el tema en el programa...
PR set to voice a choice in GOP race. Read more: http://ow.ly/9G7I2 http://ow.ly...
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
PR set to voice a choice in GOP race. Read more: http://ow.ly/9G7I2 http://ow.ly/...
PR set to voice a choice in GOP race. Read more: http://ow.ly/9G7I2 http://ow.ly/...
PR set to voice a choice in GOP race. Read more: http://ow.ly/9G7I2 http://ow.ly/i/vJErHootSuite Photos
ProEnglish Applauds Rick Santorum for Defending English in Puerto Rico - Urges ....
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
ProEnglish Applauds Rick Santorum for Defending English in Puerto Rico - Urges ... - SYS-CON Media (press release)
ProEnglish Applauds Rick Santorum for Defending English in Puerto Rico - Urges ... - SYS-CON Media (press release)
ProEnglish Applauds Rick Santorum for Defending English in Puerto Rico - Urges ...SYS-CON Media (press release)While visiting Puerto Rico on March 14th, Santorum was interviewed by El Vocero and asked about the island remaining Spanish-speaking if it decides to petition for US Statehood. Santorum replied, "English must be the main language.
Santorum says English is 'condition' for statehood
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Santorum says English is 'condition' for statehood
Santorum says English is 'condition' for statehood
... candidate and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum speaks to an audience at a town hall meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 14, 2012. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Rick Santorum says making English an official language should be a "condition" ...
Rick Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English!
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Rick Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English!
Rick Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English!
Rick Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English! From the Majority Report, live MF 11:30am EST and via daily podcast at Majority.FM Rick Santorum really needs to win delegates and Puerto Rico's got some to give. So if you're Rick Santorum, how do yo win the Puerto Rican vote? By telling Puerto Ricans that they need to speak English\ of course! From: SamSeder Views: 49 6 ratings Time: 04:55 More in News & Politics...
Santorum to Puerto Rico: Must habla inglés - KSDK
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Santorum to Puerto Rico: Must habla inglés - KSDK
Santorum to Puerto Rico: Must habla inglés - KSDK
KSDKSantorum to Puerto Rico: Must habla inglésKSDKBy Catalina Camia, USA TODAY Rick Santorum says Puerto Rico should adopt English as its main language if it wants to become a state. The question of Puerto Rican statehood -- or stipulating a language requirement as a condition -- aren't typically ...
Mitt Romney Releases Spanish Radio Ad Ahead Of Puerto Rico Primary - Huffington...
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Mitt Romney Releases Spanish Radio Ad Ahead Of Puerto Rico Primary - Huffington Post
Mitt Romney Releases Spanish Radio Ad Ahead Of Puerto Rico Primary - Huffington Post
LatinaMitt Romney Releases Spanish Radio Ad Ahead Of Puerto Rico PrimaryHuffington PostMitt Romney's campaign released a new Spanish-language radio ad Wednesday ahead of Puerto Rico's GOP primary on Sunday. The commercial features son Craig Romney and Puerto Rico governor Luis Fortuño (R) praising Mitt Romney's job-creation plans and ...On to Illinois and Puerto Ricomsnbc.comVelazquez to Romney Camp: Dial Down Attacks on Justice SotomayorNew York Daily News (blog)Romney Rolls Out Spanish Language...
Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage Control - NYTimes ...
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage Control - NYTimes ...
Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage Control - NYTimes ...
Rick Santorum alienates some on Puerto Rico by suggesting English should be the main language.
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Mike Nova's starred items
After Delegate Defection, Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
After Delegate Defection, Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English
After Delegate Defection, Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English
Rick Santorum on Wednesday became the first Republican presidential hopeful in this election to visit Puerto Rico before the island commonwealth's Sunday primary, taking a controversial stand on statehood that he was forced to defend this morning after losing a key supporter.
Romney, Santorum argue over English as requirement for Puerto Rican statehood - CNN
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Romney, Santorum argue over English as requirement for Puerto Rican statehood - CNN
Romney, Santorum argue over English as requirement for Puerto Rican statehood - CNN
Romney, Santorum argue over English as requirement for Puerto Rican statehoodCNNBy The CNN Political Unit (CNN) -- Rick Santorum's contention that in order for Puerto Rico to become a state English must be its principal language drew criticism Thursday from the US territory's sole representative in Congress.
Santorum: Puerto Rico must adopt English as its main language - AZ Central.com
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Santorum: Puerto Rico must adopt English as its main language - AZ Central.com
Santorum: Puerto Rico must adopt English as its main language - AZ Central.com
Santorum: Puerto Rico must adopt English as its main languageAZ Central.comBut Puerto Rico will hold a primary Sunday and 20 of 23 delegates will be allocated. A referendum on Puerto Rico's political status is on the Nov. 6 ballot. "As in any other state, you have to comply with this and any federal law.
SPIN METER: Santorum downplays Senate defeat - STLtoday.com
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
SPIN METER: Santorum downplays Senate defeat - STLtoday.com
SPIN METER: Santorum downplays Senate defeat - STLtoday.com
SPIN METER: Santorum downplays Senate defeatSTLtoday.comRick Santorum, left center, and his wife Karen greet supporters as they walk through Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday March 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo) Rick Santorum often points to his House and Senate victories in a Democratic-leaning ...and more »
Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English if you want statehood - WSAU
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English if you want statehood - WSAU
Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English if you want statehood - WSAU
Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English if you want statehoodWSAU(Reuters) - Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum told Puerto Ricans on Wednesday they would have to make English their primary language if they want to pursue US statehood, a statement at odds with the US Constitution. Santorum traveled to the ...
Santorum says English is 'condition' for statehood
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Santorum says English is 'condition' for statehood
Santorum says English is 'condition' for statehood
Rick Santorum says making English an official language should be a "condition" of statehood for Puerto Rico.Santorum said Thursday that the island would also have to make sure English is spoken "universally."The Republican presidential candidate told a Puerto Rican newspaper in an interview this week that English would have to be the "main ......
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
3/15/2012 – part 2
3/15/2012 – part 2
Rick Santorum departs Louisiana for Puerto Rico after Southern victories via Puerto Rico News on 3/14/12 Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum declared victory in the Mississippi and Alabama Republican primaries at the Hilton Lafayette Tuesday night, and then caught a late-night flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico in the hopes that Fortuno would smile upon him....
After Delegate Defection, Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
After Delegate Defection, Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English
After Delegate Defection, Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English
Rick Santorum on Wednesday became the first Republican presidential hopeful in this election to visit Puerto Rico before the island commonwealth's Sunday primary, taking a controversial stand on statehood that he was forced to defend this morning after losing a key supporter.
Romney, Santorum Spar Over Puerto Rico Language - WCVB-TV
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Romney, Santorum Spar Over Puerto Rico Language - WCVB-TV
Romney, Santorum Spar Over Puerto Rico Language - WCVB-TV
Romney, Santorum Spar Over Puerto Rico LanguageWCVB-TVBy The CNN Political Unit (CNN) -- Rick Santorum's contention that in order for Puerto Rico to become a state English must be its principal language drew criticism Thursday from the US territory's sole representative in Congress.
See more of Mike Nova's starred items ...
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Link: 3/15/2012 – Part 2 | Robert Mccarroll: Are the Star’s standards worthy to...
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Link: 3/15/2012 – Part 2 | Robert Mccarroll: Are the Star’s standards worthy to run the NYT’s national and international news? | News Review: 3.14-15.2012
Link: 3/15/2012 – Part 2 | Robert Mccarroll: Are the Star’s standards worthy to run the NYT’s national and international news? | News Review: 3.14-15.2012
3/15/2012 – Part 2 | Robert Mccarroll: Are the Star’s standards worthy to run the NYT’s national and international news? | News Review: 3.14-15.2012 Letters. From: Robert Mccarroll. Puerto Rico Daily Sun Editors: Are the Star's standards worthy to run the NYT's national and international news? In case you are interested.
Santorum: never said only English for Puerto Rico - San Antonio Express
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Santorum: never said only English for Puerto Rico - San Antonio Express
Santorum: never said only English for Puerto Rico - San Antonio Express
Santorum: never said only English for Puerto RicoSan Antonio ExpressRick Santorum, speaks to an audience at a town hall meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday March 14, 2012. Photo: Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo / AP SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Rick Santorum came to Puerto Rico and promptly waded into the emotional ...
Santorum's Puerto Rico Comment "anti-Hispanic"?
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Santorum's Puerto Rico Comment "anti-Hispanic"?
Santorum's Puerto Rico Comment "anti-Hispanic"?
Santorum's Puerto Rico Comment "anti-Hispanic"? A Miami area political science professor says Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum's call for residents of Puerto Rico to learn English probably won't play well in the Latino community as a whole, and may come across as insensitive. (March 14) From: AssociatedPress Views: 114 7 ratings Time: 01:25 More in News & Politics...
Romney, Santorum Spar Over Puerto Rico Language - WISC Madison
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Romney, Santorum Spar Over Puerto Rico Language - WISC Madison
Romney, Santorum Spar Over Puerto Rico Language - WISC Madison
WISC MadisonRomney, Santorum Spar Over Puerto Rico LanguageWISC MadisonBy The CNN Political Unit (CNN) -- Rick Santorum's contention that in order for Puerto Rico to become a state English must be its principal language drew criticism Thursday from the US territory's sole representative in Congress.and more »
Mitt Romney struggles as GOP nomination moves to Illinois - live - The Guardian
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Mitt Romney struggles as GOP nomination moves to Illinois - live - The Guardian
Mitt Romney struggles as GOP nomination moves to Illinois - live - The Guardian
The GuardianMitt Romney struggles as GOP nomination moves to Illinois - liveThe GuardianCampaigning in Puerto Rico, where he needs to keep Mitt Romney to below 50% of the vote in Sunday's caucuses to win delegates, Santorum may have blwon his chances by continuing to insist that Puerto Ricans speak English before the island ever makes a ...and more »
3/15/2012 – Part 1 – Mike Nova: Did Santorum choose to fall on his own sword in...
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
3/15/2012 – Part 1 – Mike Nova: Did Santorum choose to fall on his own sword in Puerto Rico?
3/15/2012 – Part 1 – Mike Nova: Did Santorum choose to fall on his own sword in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico News Updates 3/15/2012 – Part 1 – Mike Nova: Did Santorum choose to fall on his own sword in Puerto Rico? Mike Nova shared a link: Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage Control thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com Rick Santorum alienates some on Puerto Rico by suggesting English should be the main language....
Santorum says Puerto Rico would be a “bilingual country,” with English and Spani...
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Santorum says Puerto Rico would be a “bilingual country,” with English and Spanish - Washington Post
Santorum says Puerto Rico would be a “bilingual country,” with English and Spanish - Washington Post
ABC News (blog)Santorum says Puerto Rico would be a “bilingual country,” with English and SpanishWashington PostSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Rick Santorum came to Puerto Rico and promptly waded into the emotional debate over the role English should play in the island's future, sparking a furor that led the former Pennsylvania senator to insist his remarks were ...Rick Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English After Delegate ...ABC News...
Santorum's Puerto Rico comment 'anti-Hispanic?' (1:24) - Washington Post
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Santorum's Puerto Rico comment 'anti-Hispanic?' (1:24) - Washington Post
Santorum's Puerto Rico comment 'anti-Hispanic?' (1:24) - Washington Post
Santorum's Puerto Rico comment 'anti-Hispanic?' (1:24)Washington Post15, 2012 - A Miami-area political science professor says Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum's call for residents of Puerto Rico to learn English probably won't play well in the Latino community as a whole, and may come across as ...and more »
After Delegate Defection, Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
After Delegate Defection, Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English
After Delegate Defection, Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English
Rick Santorum on Wednesday became the first Republican presidential hopeful in this election to visit Puerto Rico before the island commonwealth's Sunday primary, taking a controversial stand on statehood that he was forced to defend this morning after losing a key supporter.
See more of Mike Nova's starred items ...
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Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage Control
thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com
Rick Santorum alienates some on Puerto Rico by suggesting English should be the main language.
Mike Nova shared a link.
Santorum Clarifies His Comments on English in Puerto Rico
blogs.wsj.com
Rick Santorum said Spanish would remain the language of Puerto Rico Thursday as he walked back comments to a San Juan newspaper that the territory should adopt English as its official language.
En cada entrevista que ha hecho en Puerto Rico, Santorum ha tenido que tratar el tema del español y la estadidad http://end.pr/AmotbZ
Noticias
15 marzo 2012
10:58 a.m.
Dominada por el idioma la campaña de Santorum en Puerto Rico
Políticos y analistas discutieron el tema en el programa mañanero de la cadena CNN. Vídeo
WASHINGTON - La advertencia de Rick Santorum de que la estadidad incluiría como condición que el inglés sea el idioma primario de Puerto Rico ha avivado la atención de los medios estadounidenses sobre la primaria presidencial republicana de la Isla.
El asunto se discutió hoy en el programa mañanero de la cadena de televisión CNN, y ha sido divulgado también en importantes publicaciones como The New York Times, The Washington Post, el Huffington Post, Politico, CBS y Fox News, entre muchos otros medios.
“La visión de Santorum es limitada y estrecha sobre lo que debe ser Estados Unidos”, indicó el comisioando residente en Washington, Pedro Pierluisi, quien participó del programa de CNN.
En 2007, el ahora precandidato presidencial Newt Gingrich mantuvo que la estadidad para la Isla supondría que su gobierno, las escuelas públicas y tribunales funcionen en inglés.
Pero, el analista Hank Sheinkopf, quien ha sido asesor político de muchos demócratas en Estados Unidos, le pareció que con solo hablar de la estadidad en Puerto Rico, Santorum busca hacerle el juego a políticos locales, de cara a la primaria presidencial republicana del domingo.
“Puerto Rico nunca va a ser un estado”, dijo Sheinkopf, quien afirmó al aire que Pierluisi “no es un congresista”, “no tiene poder” y que la Isla, la que describió como “la última colonia de EE.UU.”, “le cuesta (al Tesoro federal) $25,000 millones anuales”.
En cada entrevista que ha hecho en Puerto Rico, Santorum ha tenido que tratar el tema del español y la estadidad, pues grupos que promueven el inglés como idioma oficial y vinculados al Tea Party le han reclamado a los precandidatos presidenciales que sean claros sobre el tema.
Aunque quizá no con la misma fuerza que tuvieron en los comicios legislativos de 2010, los grupos asociados al Tea Party mantienen influencia dentro de las campañas presidenciales republicanas.
Will Cain, analista conservador de CNN, aceptó, como estableció Pierluisi, que la Constitución estadounidense no impone requisitos de idioma para aceptar un nuevo estado federal.
Pero, recordó que puede ser establecido desde el punto de vista político por el Congreso como requisito antes de admitir al territorio, como dice ocurrió en alguna medida con Oklahoma y Luisiana.
“No se debe dibujar a Santorum como un xenofóbico”, por exigir el inglés como idioma primario de Puerto Rico antes de evaluar una petición de estadidad, sostuvo Cain.
En una columna en Fox Latino, el estratega conservador Robert de Posada, puertorriqueño cercano a grupos del Tea Party y presidente de la organización Latino Coalition, mantuvo que ahora le toca al precandidato presidencial Mitt Romney aclarar sus puntos de vista en torno a la estadidad.
En enero pasado, en Florida, Romney – quien llega mañana a San Juan- prometió ayudar al gobernador Luis Fortuño a impulsar la estadidad para Puerto Rico en Washington si esa alternativa de status gana el referéndum local de noviembre próximo.
“Este es otro ejemplo de Romney hablando desde ambos lados de la boca. Un apoyo incondicional a la estadidad para Puerto Rico entra en conflicto directo con los esfuerzos para convertir el inglés en el idioma oficial de Estados Unidos y la promesa de reducir el gasto público federal”, indicó de Posada, quien en el pasado ha colaborado con el Partido Popular Democrático (PPD), en su artículo de opinión (http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2012/03/15/romneys-conservative-credibility-problems-now-being-tested-in-puerto-rico/).
Hoy, además, el Comité Nacional Demócrata (DNC) circuló una declaración reciente de la congresista boricua Nydia Velázquez (Nueva York), en la que censura que Romney haya utilizado la imagen de la boricua Sonia Sotomayor, primera jueza hispana en el Tribunal Supremo de EEUU, para atacar a Santorum.
Como senador, Santorum votó a favor de Sotomayor cuando fue nombrada jueza federal de apelaciones. Velázquez sostuvo que atacar a Sotomayor “es intolerable”.
Pierluisi, por su parte, reconoció que Puerto Rico tiene que mejorar la enseñanza del inglés, pero rechazó que Estados Unidos quiera imponerle a los puertorriqueños de la Isla que ese idioma sea el que impere en la Isla.
“Tenemos dos idiomas oficiales en Puerto Rico, el inglés y el español. El inglés es el idioma predominante en Estados Unidos y lo va a continuar siendo, sea Puerto Rico o no un estado”, dijo Pierluisi.
El comisionado Pierluisi aprovechó la entrevista para resaltar el apoyo que le ha dado el presidente Barack Obama a Puerto Rico durante este cuatrienio, incluyendo la asignación de sobre $7,000 millones a través de la ley federal de recuperación económica (ARRA).
In every interview he has done in Puerto Rico, Santorum had to treat the subject of the Spanish and statehood http://end.pr/AmotbZ (Translated by Bing)
News
March 15, 2012
10:58 a.m.
Dominated By Language Is The Santorum Campaign In Puerto Rico
Politicians and analysts discussed the issue in the morning program on CNN. Video
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
WASHINGTON - Rick Santorum's warning that statehood would include a condition that English is the primary language of Puerto Rico has fueled the U.S. media attention on the Republican presidential primary of the Island
The matter was discussed today at the morning program of CNN, and has also been reported in major publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Huffington Post, Politico, CBS and Fox News, among many other media.
"Santorum's vision is limited and close on what should be the United States," said resident comisioando Pedro Pierluisi, who participated in the CNN program.
In 2007, presidential candidate Newt Gingrich now held that statehood for the island would mean that his government, public schools and courts operate in English.
But Hank Sheinkopf analyst, who was political adviser to many Democrats in the U.S., it seemed that just talk about statehood in Puerto Rico, Santorum seeks pandering to local politicians, facing the Republican presidential primary on Sunday .
"Puerto Rico is never going to be a state," said Sheinkopf, who said that Pierluisi air "is not a congressman," "no power" and that the island, which he described as "the last colony of the U.S. "" costs (the federal Treasury) $ 25.000 million annually. "
In every interview he has done in Puerto Rico, Santorum has had to address the issue of Spanish and statehood, as groups that promote English as official language and connected to the Tea Party claimed to have presidential candidates who are clear about the subject .
Although perhaps not as strong as they had in the legislative elections of 2010, the groups associated with the Tea Party held influence within the Republican presidential campaigns.
Will Cain, CNN conservative analyst, agreed, as set Pierluisi, that the U.S. Constitution does not impose language requirements to accept a new federal state.
But, he recalled that can be set from the political point of view as required by Congress before admitting the territory, says happened to some extent with Oklahoma and Louisiana.
"Do not draw Santorum as a xenophobic" by requiring English as the primary language of Puerto Rico before evaluating a petition for statehood, said Cain.
In a column on Fox Latin, the conservative strategist Robert de Posada, Puerto Rican groups close to the Tea Party and president of the Latino Coalition, maintained that now it's the presidential candidate Mitt Romney to clarify their views about statehood.
Last January, in Florida, Romney - who arrives tomorrow to San Juan promised to help Gov. Luis Fortuño to promote statehood for Puerto Rico in Washington if that alternative local status referendum wins in November.
"This is another example of Romney speaking from both sides of the mouth. Unconditional support statehood for Puerto Rico is in direct conflict with efforts to make English the official language of the United States and the promise of reducing federal spending, "said Posada, who in the past has worked with the Popular Democratic Party (PDP), in his opinion piece
Today, moreover, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) circulated a recent statement from Puerto Rican Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (New York), which complains that Romney has used the image of the Puerto Rican Sonia Sotomayor, first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court U.S. to attack Santorum.
As a senator, Santorum voted for Sotomayor when he was named federal appeals judge. Velazquez said that attacking Sotomayor "is intolerable."
Pierluisi, meanwhile, acknowledged that Puerto Rico needs to improve the teaching of English, but rejected the United States wants to impose on Puerto Ricans on the island that this language is to prevail on the island
"We have two official languages in Puerto Rico, English and Spanish. English is the predominant language in the U.S. and will continue to be, whether or not Puerto Rico a state, "said Pierluisi.
The commissioner took the interview Pierluisi to highlight the support it has given President Barack Obama to Puerto Rico during this term, including the allocation of about $ 7.000 million through the federal Economic Recovery Act (ARRA).
TRENDING: Santorum says Puerto Rico must adopt English for statehood - CNN (blog)
from puerto rico - Google News
TRENDING: Santorum says Puerto Rico must adopt English for statehood
CNN (blog)
(CNN) – Rick Santorum on Wednesday laid out one caveat he would hold for the US territory of Puerto Rico before it obtained statehood, saying the island would need to make English its principal language before it becomes a state.
Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage ControlNew York Times (blog)
Santorum to Puerto Rico: If you want to become a state, you need to speak EnglishNew York Daily News
Santorum stumps for delegates in Puerto Ricomsnbc.com
CBS News -ABC News (blog) -Wall Street Journal (blog)
all 527 news articles »
Is Rick Santorum's English-for-Puerto Rico Comment Really a Gaffe?
from Puerto Rico Newswire
... Slate. You can follow authors and sections, track comment threads you're interested in, and more. Campaigning in Puerto Rico, Rick Santorum doesn't show any signs that he wants to pander Wednesday, telling voters (erroneously) that they must declare ...
Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage Control - NYTimes ...
Courting Puerto Rico, Santorum Does Damage Control - NYTimes ...
Rick Santorum alienates some on Puerto Rico by suggesting English should be the main language.
Source: puerto rico - Google Blog Search
Published: 2012-03-15 17:06:32 GMT
Mitt Romney Releases Spanish Radio Ad Ahead Of Puerto Rico Primary - Huffington Post
Mitt Romney Releases Spanish Radio Ad Ahead Of Puerto Rico Primary - Huffington Post
LatinaMitt Romney Releases Spanish Radio Ad Ahead Of Puerto Rico PrimaryHuffington PostMitt Romney's campaign released a new Spanish-language radio ad Wednesday ahead of Puerto Rico's GOP primary on Sunday. The commercial features son Craig Romney and Puerto Rico governor Luis Fortuño (R) praising Mitt Romney's job-creation plans and ...On to Illinois and Puerto Ricomsnbc.comVelazquez to Romney Camp: Dial Down Attacks on Justice SotomayorNew York Daily News (blog)Romney Rolls Out Spanish Language...
Source: puerto rico - Google News
Published: 2012-03-15 17:36:03 GMT
Santorum Defends English Idea For Puerto Rico - WCVB-TV
Santorum Defends English Idea For Puerto Rico - WCVB-TV
Boston.comSantorum Defends English Idea For Puerto RicoWCVB-TVBy CNN Political Unit (CNN) -- Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum on Thursday defended a condition he said Puerto Rico must meet to be eligible for statehood: "English needs to be the principal language." Campaigning in the territory ahead of their ...Puerto Rico gets to have its say in GOP raceUSA TODAYSantorum: English needed for Puerto Rico statehoodBoston.comall 526 news articles »
Source: puerto rico politics - Google News
Published: 2012-03-15 18:02:35 GMT
Santorum stands by English condition for Puerto Rico statehood - KXLY Spokane
Santorum stands by English condition for Puerto Rico statehood - KXLY Spokane
Santorum stands by English condition for Puerto Rico statehoodKXLY SpokanePresidential hopeful Rick Santorum on Thursday defended a condition he said Puerto Rico must meet to be eligible for statehood: "English needs to be the principal language." Campaigning in the territory ahead of their Sunday primary, Santorum had on ...
Source: puerto rico politics - Google News
Published: 2012-03-15 17:57:52 GMT
Rick Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English
Rick Santorum Defends Call for Puerto Rico to Adopt English
Rick Santorum Wednesday became the first Republican presidential hopeful in this election to visit Puerto Rico before the island commonwealth's Sunday primary, taking a controversial stand on statehood that he was forced to defend this morning after losing a key supporter.
Source: Puerto Rico Newswire
Published: 2012-03-15 17:54:09 GMT
Rick Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English!
Rick Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English!
Rick Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English! From the Majority Report, live MF 11:30am EST and via daily podcast at Majority.FM Rick Santorum really needs to win delegates and Puerto Rico's got some to give. So if you're Rick Santorum, how do yo win the Puerto Rican vote? By telling Puerto Ricans that they need to speak English\ of course! From: SamSeder Views: 49 6 ratings Time: 04:55 More in News & Politics...
Source: YouTube Videos matching query: puerto rico politics
Published: 2012-03-15 17:51:49 GMT
Rick Santorum Says Puerto Rico Must Speak English Before They Can Be Allowed To Become A State
Rick Santorum Says Puerto Rico Must Speak English Before They Can Be Allowed To Become A State
Rick Santorum Says Puerto Rico Must Speak English Before They Can Be Allowed To Become A State March 14, 2012 CNN MOXNews.com From: MOXNEWSd0tCOM Views: 234 19 ratings Time: 06:52 More in News & Politics...
Source: YouTube Videos matching query: puerto rico news this week
Published: 2012-03-15 15:32:48 GMT
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Puerto Rico Heineken Jazzfest Big Band - Blues Walk (Live)
via YouTube Videos matching query: puerto rico news tv by boricuajazzz8 on 4/12/08
Puerto Rico Heineken Jazzfest Big Band - Blues Walk (Live)
Live performance by Michael P. Mossman & the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazzfest Big Band. From my personalcollection. Enjoy... (circa: 1998) All TV promos, news clips, airchecks, music related performances etc. remain the sole property of their respective copyright holders. No video clips are for sale, nor do they imply challenge to ownerships. They are intended strictly for entertainment, educational, and historical purposes, and fall under the "Fair Use" guideline.
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A cargo plane loaded with bread crashed in a lagoon near Puerto Rico's internati...
via CARIBBEAN BUSINESS's Facebook Wall by CARIBBEAN BUSINESS on 3/15/12
A cargo plane loaded with bread crashed in a lagoon near Puerto Rico's international airport on Thursday, killing both crew members, authorities said. http://ow.ly/9G7OR
Cargo plane crashes in PR lagoon, 2 dead - caribbeanbusiness.pr
ow.ly
Puerto Rico's #1 news and information website in English
Santorum says English is 'condition' for statehood - KEYC TV
via puerto rico sports - Google News on 3/15/12
Santorum says English is 'condition' for statehood
KEYC TV
AP Sports News Video AP National News Video More>> By KASIE HUNT AP SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Rick Santorum says making English an official language should be a "condition" of statehood for Puerto Rico. Santorum said Thursday that the island would ...
The Two-Way : NPRNPR
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Puerto Rico: The Big Primary No One is Watching - Politic365
via puerto rico - Google News on 3/15/12
Puerto Rico: The Big Primary No One is Watching
Politic365
Come Sunday the 18th, Puerto Ricans will be next in line to vote for the man who could be President, and yet, the media chooses to focus on Illinois and other upcoming states. On Wednesday, Rick Santorum landed in Puerto Rico and met with Governor ...
On to Illinois and Puerto Ricomsnbc.com
Gretchen Sierra-Zorita: Romney¿s attack on Justice Sotomayor a turn-off for ...Sun-Sentinel
all 4 news articles »
Santorum: English Needs To Be 'Main Language' For Puerto Rico To Become State
via Puerto Rico Newswire on 3/15/12
... at the 304 Grill in the financial district of San Juan. (credit: Christopher Gregory/Getty Images) SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum said Wednesday that Puerto Rico should only gain statehood if the territory ...
Santorum: Puerto Rico must adopt English
via Puerto Rico Newswire on 3/15/12
... requirement as a condition -- aren't typically issues that arise in a GOP presidential primary race. But Puerto Rico holds a primary on Sunday and 20 of 23 delegates will be allocated. A referendum on Puerto Rico's political status is on the Nov. 6 ...
Weekly Standard: Social Issues On Track To Matter
via Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Presidential candidate Rick Santorum speaks during a service at the Path of the Cross Evangelical Church on March 14, 2012 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
via puerto rico business - Google News on 3/15/12
Santorum to Puerto Rico: If you want to become a state, you need to speak English
New York Daily News
The territory considers both English and Spanish its official languages, but most of its citizens primarily conduct business in Spanish. Santorum's comments come just ahead of Puerto Rico's Republican presidential primary on Sunday.
Puerto Ricans set to voice a choice in GOP raceWTOL.com
Puerto Rico Primary: Republicans Set To Vote On GOP Field Despite Territorial ...Huffington Post
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CNN Guest Calls Santorum 'Doofus' Over *Puerto Rico* Speak *...*
via puerto rico - Google Blog Search by Tommy Christopher on 3/15/12
While campaigning for his share of Puerto Rico's 23 delegates, presidential up-and-comer Rick Santorum deployed an odd strategy: insisting that federal law requires English to be the main language in order to achieve ...
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Cargo plane crashes in Puerto Rico, killing airline owner and a crew member - Washington Post
Cargo plane crashes in Puerto Rico, killing airline owner and a crew member - Washington Post
Cargo plane crashes in Puerto Rico, killing airline owner and a crew memberWashington PostSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A vintage cargo plane loaded with bread crashed in a lagoon near Puerto Rico's international airport on Thursday, killing the airline's owner and another crew member, authorities said. The plane had just taken off when the ...Cargo plane crashes in Puerto Rico with 3 on boardSan Francisco Chronicle2 die in plane crash in...
Source: puerto rico - Google News
Published: 2012-03-15 16:20:52 GMT
Mike Nova's starred items
In Puerto Rico, tragic anniversary recalled - Bellingham Herald
via puerto rico - Google News on 3/15/12
In Puerto Rico, tragic anniversary recalled
Bellingham Herald
By ED MORALES It took place in Ponce, the second-largest city of what is still an unincorporated territory of the United States - Puerto Rico. On that day, which was Palm Sunday, the island territory's police gunned down 19 unarmed civilians who were ...
and more »
Midtown Mass Honors Puerto Rican Pioneer Betanzos - NY1
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Midtown Mass Honors Puerto Rican Pioneer Betanzos - NY1
Midtown Mass Honors Puerto Rican Pioneer Betanzos - NY1
NY1Midtown Mass Honors Puerto Rican Pioneer BetanzosNY1"Amalia was a great mentor for myself and other young Puerto Ricans growing up in that period of time. And was a great instructor on how to be responsible in govt and in politics and as a human being," said Former Secretary of New York State Tonio ...
Santorum: English Needs To Be 'Main Language' For Puerto Rico To Become State
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Santorum: English Needs To Be 'Main Language' For Puerto Rico To Become State
Santorum: English Needs To Be 'Main Language' For Puerto Rico To Become State
... at the 304 Grill in the financial district of San Juan. (credit: Christopher Gregory/Getty Images) SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum said Wednesday that Puerto Rico should only gain statehood if the territory ...
Santorum stumps for delegates in Puerto Rico - msnbc.com
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Santorum stumps for delegates in Puerto Rico - msnbc.com
Santorum stumps for delegates in Puerto Rico - msnbc.com
The Associated PressSantorum stumps for delegates in Puerto Ricomsnbc.comRick Santorum traveled to Puerto Rico to stump for his campaign but when he was there he told a crowd of people that if the territory wants to win statehood, they need to speak English. Telemundo's Jose Diaz-Balart and Democratic strategist Karen ...GOP fight for delegates stretches to Puerto RicoThe Associated PressRick Santorum talks up Puerto Rico tiesPoliticoSantorum, Romney Square Off in Suddenly...
Weekly Standard: Social Issues On Track To Matter
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Weekly Standard: Social Issues On Track To Matter
Weekly Standard: Social Issues On Track To Matter
Presidential candidate Rick Santorum speaks during a service at the Path of the Cross Evangelical Church on March 14, 2012 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
CNN Guest Calls Santorum 'Doofus' Over Puerto Rico Speak ...
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
CNN Guest Calls Santorum 'Doofus' Over Puerto Rico Speak ...
CNN Guest Calls Santorum 'Doofus' Over Puerto Rico Speak ...
While campaigning for his share of Puerto Rico's 23 delegates, presidential up-and-comer Rick Santorum deployed an odd strategy: insisting that federal law requires English to be the main language in order to achieve ...
Rick Santorum Calls Himself 'Senador Puertorriqueño' In Puerto Rico
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Rick Santorum Calls Himself 'Senador Puertorriqueño' In Puerto Rico
Rick Santorum Calls Himself 'Senador Puertorriqueño' In Puerto Rico
More in Politics... Rick Santorum Tells Puerto Ricans To Speak... Ann Coulter Criticizes Sarah Palin, Says GOP... Mitt The Non-Contiguous Candidate · Mitt Romney: 'I Made A Lot Of..
Puerto Rico: The Big Primary No One is Watching - Politic365
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Puerto Rico: The Big Primary No One is Watching - Politic365
Puerto Rico: The Big Primary No One is Watching - Politic365
Puerto Rico: The Big Primary No One is WatchingPolitic365Come Sunday the 18th, Puerto Ricans will be next in line to vote for the man who could be President, and yet, the media chooses to focus on Illinois and other upcoming states. On Wednesday, Rick Santorum landed in Puerto Rico and met with Governor ...On to Illinois and Puerto Ricomsnbc.comGretchen Sierra-Zorita: Romney¿s attack on Justice Sotomayor a turn-off for ...Sun-Sentinelall 4 news...
Sweating In Illinois (The Note) - ABC News (blog)
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Sweating In Illinois (The Note) - ABC News (blog)
Sweating In Illinois (The Note) - ABC News (blog)
Sweating In Illinois (The Note)ABC News (blog)The former Massachusetts governor is booked almost wall to wall with events in the state starting on Friday with just a brief 24-hour jaunt to Puerto Rico, which votes on Sunday. In fact, Romney plans to squeeze in a pancake breakfast in a Chicago ...and more »
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Puerto Rico Rep.: Santorum view on English language adoption for statehood is .....
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Puerto Rico Rep.: Santorum view on English language adoption for statehood is ... - CNN (blog)
Puerto Rico Rep.: Santorum view on English language adoption for statehood is ... - CNN (blog)
Puerto Rico Rep.: Santorum view on English language adoption for statehood is ...CNN (blog)Pedro Pierluisi (D), of Puerto Rico, discusses Rick Santorum's comment about the requirement for Puerto Rico to adopt English as the official language for statehood. Pierluisi says, “It's incorrect to say that there's a federal law imposing English as ...
Cargo plane crashes in Puerto Rico with 3 on board
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Cargo plane crashes in Puerto Rico with 3 on board
Cargo plane crashes in Puerto Rico with 3 on board
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A spokesman for Puerto Rico's largest airport says a cargo plane has crashed on the island, apparently killing all three crew members who were on board.
Puerto Rico Indie Launches New Series of Music Videos - Huffington Post (blog)
via Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News on 3/15/12
Puerto Rico Indie Launches New Series of Music Videos - Huffington Post (blog)
Puerto Rico Indie Launches New Series of Music Videos - Huffington Post (blog)
Puerto Rico Indie Launches New Series of Music VideosHuffington Post (blog)The series aims to document the indie sounds in Puerto Rico, through studio sessions of some of the most promising and experienced performers, without enclosing itself in a particular genre. Archipiélago has aired three episodes to date, ...
Santorum: English needed for Puerto Rico statehood
Santorum: English needed for Puerto Rico statehood
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno talks to Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen.
Source: Puerto Rico News
Published: 2012-03-15 14:44:50 GMT
Santorum: English needed for Puerto Rico statehood
Santorum: English needed for Puerto Rico statehood
Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum attends a town meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday.
Source: Puerto Rico Newswire
Published: 2012-03-15 14:47:08 GMT
CNN Guest Calls Santorum 'Doofus' Over Puerto Rico Speak ...
CNN Guest Calls Santorum 'Doofus' Over Puerto Rico Speak ...
While campaigning for his share of Puerto Rico's 23 delegates, presidential up-and-comer Rick Santorum deployed an odd strategy: insisting that federal law requires English to be the main language in order to achieve ...
Source: puerto rico - Google Blog Search
Published: 2012-03-15 13:56:01 GMT
Rick Santorum Calls Himself 'Senador Puertorriqueño' In Puerto Rico
Rick Santorum Calls Himself 'Senador Puertorriqueño' In Puerto Rico
More in Politics... Rick Santorum Tells Puerto Ricans To Speak... Ann Coulter Criticizes Sarah Palin, Says GOP... Mitt The Non-Contiguous Candidate · Mitt Romney: 'I Made A Lot Of..
Source: puerto rico politics - Google Blog Search
Published: 2012-03-15 13:50:45 GMT
via Puerto Rico Daily Sun - Timely news about Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the world on 3/15/12
US *Politics* | AMERICAblog News: Santorum tells *Puerto Rico* to *...*
via puerto rico politics - Google Blog Search by Myrddin on 3/15/12
News and opinion about US politics from a liberal/Democratic/progressive perspective.
GOP fight for delegates stretches to Puerto Rico - Plain Dealer
via puerto rico politics - Google News on 3/14/12
Official: Cargo plane bound for St. Maarten crashed in Puerto Rico, apparently ... - Washington Post
Official: Cargo plane bound for St. Maarten crashed in Puerto Rico, apparently ... - Washington Post
Official: Cargo plane bound for St. Maarten crashed in Puerto Rico, apparently ...Washington PostSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A spokesman for Puerto Rico's largest airport says a cargo plane has crashed on the island, apparently killing all three crew members who were on board. Juan Rivera says the Convair 440 had just taken off Thursday when the ...and more »
Source: puerto rico - Google News
Published: 2012-03-15 13:11:49 GMT
9:42 AM
Cargo plane crashes in Puerto Rico with 3 on board - WRGB
from puerto rico politics - Google News
Cargo plane crashes in Puerto Rico with 3 on board
WRGB
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- A spokesman for Puerto Rico's largest airport says a cargo plane has crashed on the island, apparently killing all three crew members who were on board. Juan Rivera says the Convair 440 had just taken off Thursday when the ...
and more »
Puerto Rico legislator calls Santorum comments 'narrow' - The Hill (blog)
Puerto Rico legislator calls Santorum comments 'narrow' - The Hill (blog)
Puerto Rico legislator calls Santorum comments 'narrow'The Hill (blog)By Daniel Strauss - 03/15/12 10:04 AM ET A Puerto Rico legislator called Rick Santorum's suggestion that the territory adopt English as its official language a "narrow and limiting view of what America is about." The response, by Del.
Source: puerto rico - Google News
Published: 2012-03-15 14:10:47 GMT
GOP fight for delegates stretches to Puerto Rico - Plain Dealer
via puerto rico politics - Google News on 3/14/12
GOP fight for delegates stretches to Puerto Rico
Plain Dealer
AP WASHINGTON (AP) — An upbeat Rick Santorum barreled into Puerto Rico on Wednesday in pursuit of another campaign-bending victory in a Republican presidential race where suddenly no primary is too minor and no delegate is conceded.
Puerto Ricans set to voice a choice in GOP race - The State
via puerto rico business - Google News on 3/14/12
Puerto Ricans set to voice a choice in GOP race
The State
By KASIE HUNT and STEVE PEOPLES - AP Puerto Rico doesn't get full voting privileges in Congress. It doesn't vote for the president in the general election. And it has been fighting for decades not just over its status as a US territory but to make its ...
Santorum: English needed for Puerto Rico statehood - Albany Times Union
via Puerto Rico Business News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico Business News on 3/15/12
Santorum: English needed for Puerto Rico statehood - Albany Times Union
Santorum: English needed for Puerto Rico statehood - Albany Times Union
Santorum: English needed for Puerto Rico statehoodAlbany Times UnionKASIE HUNT, AP Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno, left, talks to Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum during their meeting at the governor's mansion La Fortaleza, or Fortess, in San Juan, Puerto Rico ...
via Puerto Rico Newswire on 3/14/12
... it on substance and win it on what Americans want to hear about," Santorum told CNN at a town hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A Republican primary in the U.S. territory is set for Sunday. "We're a long, long way from over. You know what? I suspect if ...
Santorum predicts Romney won't be the GOP nominee
via Puerto Rico Newswire on 3/15/12
Winning should be easier for Mitt Romney, but he's "fundamentally flawed," rival Rick Santorum says on a visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
omicron antipodal: Puerto Rico Primary Could Pad Romney's *...*
via Gov. Louis Fortuño - Google Blog Search by dowdlelucy41 on 3/14/12
That leaves three super delegates left and two have already endorsed Romney, including Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno, with the third one backing Gingrich. If no candidate wins a majority of the vote, the delegates will be ...
Santorum: English Needs To Be 'Main Language' For Puerto Rico *...*
via Gov. Louis Fortuño - Google Blog Search by mhigginscbs on 3/15/12
Santorum was in San Juan campaigning for Sunday's GOP presidential primary. He met with Gov. Luis Fortuno, who is backing Santorum rival Mitt Romney and held town hall events with veterans and local business leaders.
Santorum to Puerto Rico: If you want to become a state, you need to speak English - New York Daily News
Santorum to Puerto Rico: If you want to become a state, you need to speak EnglishNew York Daily NewsThe territory considers both English and Spanish its official languages, but most of its citizens primarily conduct business in Spanish. Santorum's comments come just ahead of Puerto Rico's Republican presidential primary on Sunday.
Source: puerto rico business - Google News
Published: 2012-03-15 12:34:23 GMT
GOP fight for delegates stretches to Puerto Rico - The Associated Press
from Puerto Rico News's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News
GOP fight for delegates stretches to Puerto Rico - The Associated Press
GOP fight for delegates stretches to Puerto Rico - The Associated Press
The Associated PressGOP fight for delegates stretches to Puerto RicoThe Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — An upbeat Rick Santorum barreled into Puerto Rico on Wednesday in pursuit of another campaign-bending victory in a Republican presidential race where suddenly no primary is too minor and no delegate is conceded.Republican Candidates Vie for Primary Win in Puerto RicoFox NewsRick Santorum claims close ties to Puerto RicoPoliticoRick Santorum Brings His Campaign To Puerto Rico, Says...
La portavoz de la Autoridad de Puertos, Blanca Sáez, detalló que el avión era de carga y que la División de Rescate del Aeropuerto Internacional Luis Muñoz Marín se dirige al área de la laguna Torrecilla a investigar el accidente. http://end.pr/zw4DGE
The spokesman for the ports authority, Blanca Sáez, explained that the aircraft was charging and that the Division of rescue of the Luis Muñoz Marín international airport is heading to the Torrecilla lagoon area to investigate the accident. http://end.PR/zw4DGE (Translated by Bing)
“Un mecánico le indicó que uno de los motores tenía un fallo”, dijo Herrera, quien aseguró no sorprenderle que Bristol decidiera aún así pilotear la nave. http://end.pr/Atl48n
"A mechanic told that one of the engines had a failure", said Herrera, who claimed to not be surprised you that Bristol decided yet so piloting the ship. http://end.PR/Atl48n (Translated by Bing)
La jueza superior Georgina Candal Segurola, del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, paralizó hoy la implantación del sistema de escrutinio electrónico para las elecciones generales 2012. http://end.pr/y4tOIo
Superior judge Georgina Candal Segurola, of the Court of first instance, today stalled the implementation of the system of electronic ballot for the 2012 general election. http://end.PR/y4tOIo (Translated by Bing)
Jose Santa Aquino Un muerto ablando de otro .Los dos tienen las esquinas mas malas del Boxeo actual mente ,sin autoridad .Cuando esos dos locos se den cuenta de sus errores verán que perdieron el tiempo .
A dead speakin of another.The two have corners more bad current boxing mind, without authority.When those two crazy will realize their mistakes they will see that they lost time. (Translated by Bing)
El excampeón Wilfredo ‘Papito’ Vázquez recomendó a Juanma López que busque ayuda profesional para enderezar su vida personal. http://end.pr/wLEj1T
Wilfredo 'Papito' Vázquez ascendance recommended Juanma Lopez to find professional help to straighten out his personal life. http://end.PR/wLEj1T (Translated by Bing)
Papito Vázquez recomienda a Juanma López que busque ayuda end.pr Le sugiere visitar a un sicólogo
Autoridades investigan alerta sobre avioneta accidentada en Carolina
Agentes de la Policía y personal de FURA buscan la nave
El manejador de Jlo dijo que el bailarín es solo una diversión para la diva. http://end.pr/Aq8iRB
Jlo handler said that the dancer is only fun for the diva. http://end.PR/Aq8iRB (Translated by Bing)
Jennifer López solo quiere un romance pasajero con Casper Smart
Su manejador dice que el joven es solo una diversión para la artista
Escucha el nuevo merengue de Shakira | ¿Qué te parece? http://end.pr/AeZIGv
Listen to the new Shakira meringue | What do you think? http://end.PR/AeZIGv (Translated by Bing)
Zanfer high on Salido - fightnews.com
via Puerto Rico Sports's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico Sports on 3/15/12
Zanfer high on Salido - fightnews.com
Zanfer high on Salido - fightnews.com
BoxingScene.comZanfer high on Salidofightnews.comBy Gabriel F. Cordero Zanfer Promotions president Fernando Beltran spoke about the triumph of his fighter, WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido, after his spectacular KO victory over Juan Manuel Lopez last Saturday in San Juan, Puerto Rico.'Juanma gets wobbled every time he gets hit' – Zabala eyes Vazquez Jr....
Showtime Boxing - Round of the Year - Orlando Salido vs. Juan Manuel Lopez - Sal...
via Puerto Rico Sports's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico Sports on 3/13/12
Showtime Boxing - Round of the Year - Orlando Salido vs. Juan Manuel Lopez - Salido Lopez II - Boxeo
Showtime Boxing - Round of the Year - Orlando Salido vs. Juan Manuel Lopez - Salido Lopez II - Boxeo
Showtime Boxing - Round of the Year - Orlando Salido vs. Juan Manuel Lopez - Salido Lopez II - Boxeo "An outright brawl that will go down in history as one of the most exciting title fights in the storied Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry." For boxing fans who missed the March 10th battle between Orlando Salido and Juan Manuel Lopez, SHOWTIME Sports present the most heart-pounding moments of fight's epic 8th...
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In Puerto Rico, tragic anniversary recalled - Bellingham Herald
In Puerto Rico, tragic anniversary recalled - Bellingham Herald
In Puerto Rico, tragic anniversary recalledBellingham HeraldBy ED MORALES It took place in Ponce, the second-largest city of what is still an unincorporated territory of the United States - Puerto Rico. On that day, which was Palm Sunday, the island territory's police gunned down 19 unarmed civilians who were ...and more »
Source: puerto rico - Google News
Published: 2012-03-15 13:06:03 GMT
Mike Nova's starred items
via puerto rico business - Google News on 3/14/12
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March 14, 2012
Christopher Gregory/Getty Images
Rick Santorum visited the governor's mansion on Wednesday in Old San Juan, P.R.
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
Published: March 14, 2012
Fortunes Turn, as Does Style, for Santorum
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
SAN JUAN, P.R. — The pickup truck that carried him through Iowa is long gone, replaced by a small motorcade of S.U.V.’s. There was a police escort, and a phalanx of Secret Service agents.
The sweater vest was gone, at least for the day, and Rick Santorum, the winner of the last two presidential primaries, was smartly turned out, in a dark suit and power tie, when he held a half-hour private meeting with Gov. Luis G. Fortuño of Puerto Rico.
The two men did not take questions from reporters, but allowed photographers to capture the moment. With the cameras whirring, and sitting side by side in formal chairs, the two could have been in the Oval Office.
For months on the campaign trail in Iowa, Mr. Santorum hardly looked the part of the leader of the free world — with the signature sweater vest, the ragtag schedule, the lack of an entourage. And his campaign still faces steep challenges — with money, delegate counts, organization.
But in his first public event the day after winning the Alabama and Mississippi primaries, Mr. Santorum projected an air that seemed more ... presidential. In his turbulent campaign, Mr. Santorum has finally reached a moment where he can make his case that he is not a spoiler, but a credible presidential candidate — one whom voters can imagine in the White House.
As the campaign heads into the Illinois primary next Tuesday, Hogan Gidley, an adviser to Mr. Santorum, said the campaign had made no concerted effort to shift the political imagery. “We haven’t said, ‘Hey, you really need to look presidential here,’ ” Mr. Gidley said in an interview. “It’s just a natural part of the process. You grow into these roles. You grow into these positions.”
“He’s been looking presidential for a while. It just took time for people to notice,” Mr. Gidley said, adding: “What is presidential? A suit and tie?”
But as the day wore on, Mr. Santorum proved that carrying around the presidential image all day is not easy. And the prepresidential Santorum — who can be more passionate than diplomatic, who can make statements that may lose him votes rather than win them over — emerged periodically.
After his meeting with Governor Fortuño, Mr. Santorum answered a reporter’s questions about his support in 1997 for Sonia Sotomayor, who, before she was a Supreme Court justice, was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a lower federal court.
He referred to “President Santorum,” and talked about how he hoped Democratic senators would show deference to his nominees to the federal courts. It was a subtle moment, but he seemed to be not only acting presidential, but seeing himself as president.
At several stops in San Juan, he was asked about the burning question of the day, which was how he felt about Puerto Rico achieving statehood. Mr. Santorum diplomatically reaffirmed his view that the people of Puerto Rico should make that determination, as they will in a referendum on the November ballot.
But Mr. Santorum may have earned the ire of Puerto Ricans by telling a local newspaper that if the territory becomes a state, it will have to make English its official language. Puerto Rico now recognizes both English and Spanish as official languages.
“Like any other state, there has to be compliance with this and any other federal law,” Mr. Santorum said in the interview with El Vocero, a Spanish-language newspaper, according to Reuters. “And that is that English has to be the principal language.”
Perhaps Mr. Santorum was saying that if he were president, he would seek such a federal law, but there are no requirements now for a territory to adopt English as its primary language in order to become a state.
Then there was an odd juncture in his day when, instead of going to the event, the event came to Mr. Santorum. He had visited a small restaurant for a town forum with a group of veterans. Perhaps 40 or 50 people filled the room. After he took a few questions, there was a pause. The veterans shuffled off and were replaced by several businesspeople. Mr. Santorum stayed in place, but the audience had changed.
At this second event, a man asked him about his remarks last month about John F. Kennedy’s speech from 1960 regarding the separation of church and state. Mr. Santorum had received considerable flak for saying that the speech had made him want to “throw up,” so much so that he made the rare move of saying later that he wished he could take back that particular line.
The remarks had concerned some in this heavily Roman Catholic territory, and the man wanted clarification. Mr. Santorum started by complimenting the former president. “What Kennedy did in that speech, he did a lot of things he needed to do and should have done and did well, with respect to a Catholic in the role of the church and in an administration,” Mr. Santorum said.
“But,” Mr. Santorum added, “he went far too far in separating out faith in the public square absolutely, and that’s what he said, he said people of faith have no role in public discourse. That is, of course, incorrect. That is not what the First Amendment says.”
Nor was it what Kennedy had said. But Mr. Santorum was off and rolling, and he was far more passionate on this topic than anything else that came up during his day. He jumped from there to the subject of President Obama’s recent order that employers, including religious-affiliated hospitals, colleges and other institutions, cover contraception in employees’ insurance policies.
“The left wants to try to twist this and turn this into something having to do with sex,” he declared. “No. It has everything to do with freedoms and religious beliefs and the government’s ability to impose their values on people of faith and denying people of faith access to the public square to make their arguments.”
He ended his round of campaigning by attending church at night. Mr. Santorum said his critics had said, “it would take an act of God for me to win this primary.” He paused as his words were translated to the congregation, then added, “I agree with them.” The audience chuckled and applauded.
Michael D. Shear contributed reporting from Washington.
Politics »
GOP's Rick Santorum says Puerto Rico must make English its main language to ...
Washington Post
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum said Wednesday that Puerto Rico should only gain statehood if the territory makes English its main language. In an interview with a San Juan newspaper, El Vocero, Santorum said ...
Santorum says Puerto Rico must adopt English for statehoodCNN (blog)
The Two-Way : NPRNPR
all 171 news articles »
Santorum: Puerto Rico Must Adopt English If It Wants Statehood
Puerto Rico gets to have its say in GOP race
USA TODAY
AP SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico doesn't get full voting privileges in Congress. It doesn't vote for the president in the general election. And it has been fighting for decades not just over its status as a US territory but to make its voice ...
GOP fight for delegates stretches to Puerto RicoBoston.com
Puerto Ricans set to voice a choice in GOP raceThe Associated Press
Puerto Rico Primary: Republicans Set To Vote On GOP Field Despite Territorial ...Huffington Post
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Santorum wins Ala., Miss.; Romney takes Hawaii - Boston.com
via puerto rico politics - Google News on 3/14/12
Santorum claims Puerto Rico tie
via Puerto Rico Newswire on 3/14/12
... referred to by many in my state as Senador Puertorriqueo. They used to make fun of me, 'Why are you representing Puerto Rico?' Well, someone has to because they don't have a voice," Santorum said at town hall here. The ex-senator's San Juan agenda ...
O'Connell:: Santorum shocked GOP with Alabama, Mississippi wins
via Puerto Rico Newswire on 3/14/12
... him in line to go one-on-one with frontrunner Mitt Romney. Santorum campaigned for votes Wednesday in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Santorum: English key to Puerto Rican statehood - Washington Times
via puerto rico - Google News on 3/14/12
Santorum: English needed for Puerto Rico statehood
The Associated Press
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum said Wednesday that Puerto Rico should only gain statehood if the territory makes English its main language. In an interview with a San Juan newspaper, El Vocero, Santorum said ...
US Politics | AMERICAblog News: Santorum tells Puerto Rico to ...
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News and opinion about US politics from a liberal/Democratic/progressive perspective.
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Published: 2012-03-15 12:00:00 GMT
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Puerto Rico gets to have its say in GOP race - USA TODAY
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Puerto Rico gets to have its say in GOP race
USA TODAY
Even though Puerto Ricans are US citizens, they pay no federal taxes and cannot vote in presidential elections. Its political parties are largely built around disagreements over its political status. The fight over whether it should push for statehood ...
Santorum: English needed for Puerto Rico statehoodBoston.com
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Puerto Rico Primary: Republicans Set To Vote On GOP Field Despite Territorial Status
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, Luis Fortuno , Puerto Rico Primary , Mitt Romney 2012 , Puerto Rico , Puerto Rico Primary 2012 , Puerto Rico Primary Election , Puerto Rico Primary Election 2012 , Rick Santorum 2012 , Puerto Rico doesn't get full voting privileges in Congress. It ...
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Daily Kos: Santorum tells Puerto Ricans to start talking American
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Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum told Puerto Ricans on Wednesday they would have to make English their primary language if they want to pursue U.S. statehood, a statement at odds with the U.S. Constitution.
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Santorum: Statehood For Puerto Rico Only If They Make English The ...
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Rick Santorum hasn't been in favor of statehood for Puerto Rico in as unqualified a way as Mitt Romney. Santorum was in San Juan campaigning for Sunday's GOP presidential primary. He met with Gov. Luis Fortuno, who is ...
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The Two-Way : NPR - NPR
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The Two-Way : NPR
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Rick Santorum waded into a controversial issue today when he gave an interview to El Vocero, one of the biggest newspapers in Puerto Rico. The paper asked the former Pennsylvania senator if he would back Puerto Rican statehood if Spanish along with ...
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Santorum To Puerto Ricans: Speak English Already
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... be able to communicate. For another, the position he takes is completely opposed to that taken by Republicans in Puerto Rico: Santorum's statement may fall flat with Puerto Rican Republicans, who have always argued that issues of language and ...
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Rick Santorum Tells Puerto Ricans To Speak English, So Mitt Romney Will Win Puerto Rico
from Puerto Rico Newswire
On that trip, Santorum suggested that if Puerto Rico wanted to become a state, it would have to adopt English as its official language.
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Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English if you want statehood - Reuters
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Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English if you want statehood
Reuters
SAN JUAN (Reuters) - Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum told Puerto Ricans on Wednesday they would have to make English their primary language if they want to pursue US statehood, a statement at odds with the US Constitution.
Puerto Rico gets to have its say in GOP raceUSA TODAY
Santorum supports Puerto Rico statehood with English language conditionCBS News
Puerto Ricans set to voice a choice in GOP raceThe Associated Press
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Republican U.S. presidential candidate and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum speaks to supporters as his wife Karen (L) applauds at his Alabama and Mississippi primary election night rally in Lafayette, Louisiana, March 13, 2012.
Credit: Reuters/Jonathan Bachman
SAN JUAN | Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:08pm EDT
SAN JUAN (Reuters) - Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum told Puerto Ricans on Wednesday they would have to make English their primary language if they want to pursue U.S. statehood, a statement at odds with the U.S. Constitution.
Santorum traveled to the U.S. territory to campaign ahead of the island's Republican primary election scheduled for Sunday, where he, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are vying for 20 delegates.
Puerto Ricans, who recognize both English and Spanish as their official languages, are scheduled to vote in November on a referendum to decide whether they want to pursue statehood or remain a self-governing U.S. commonwealth.
In an interview with El Vocero newspaper, Santorum said he supported Puerto Ricans' right to self-determination regarding the island's political status.
"We need to work together and determine what type of relationship we want to develop," he told the newspaper.
But Santorum said he did not support a state in which English was not the primary language.
"Like any other state, there has to be compliance with this and any other federal law," Santorum said. "And that is that English has to be the principal language. There are other states with more than one language such as Hawaii but to be a state of the United States, English has to be the principal language."
However, the U.S. Constitution does not designate an official language, nor is there a requirement that a territory adopt English as its primary language in order to become a state.
Congress would have to give approval if Puerto Rico is to become the 51st state. Although Congress has considered numerous proposals to make English the official U.S. language, none has ever passed.
However, some states have passed their own laws declaring English the official language, including heavily Hispanic Florida.
Puerto Rico has about 4 million people and its population can vote in partisan primaries but not presidential elections. Puerto Ricans on the mainland have the same voting rights as other U.S. citizens.
Santorum's statement may fall flat with Puerto Rican Republicans, who have always argued that issues of language and culture should be controlled by state governments and not the federal government.
It also could alienate the 4.2 million Puerto Ricans who live on the U.S. mainland, including nearly 1 million in presidential swing-state Florida.
Romney and Gingrich have both said Puerto Ricans must decide their future for themselves. Romney has said that if they choose to pursue statehood, he would help them achieve it.
Romney, who is scheduled to travel to Puerto Rico on Friday and stay through the weekend, won the endorsement of Governor Luis Fortuno, who is also the head of Puerto Rico's pro-statehood New Progressive Party.
Santorum was to meet with Fortuno on Wednesday before a town hall meeting with residents.
He said he and Fortuno are friends because they went to the same church in Washington when Fortuno served as Puerto Rico's non-voting representative in the U.S. Congress from 2004-2008.
Santorum also said that he does not support "at this time" allowing residents in territories like Puerto Rico to vote for president, although he said he was open to analyzing alternatives, such as allowing their votes to count in the popular vote but not in the Electoral College.
Gingrich will send his daughter, Kathy Gingrich Lubbers, to campaign on his behalf in Puerto Rico on Thursday and Friday. She is fluent in Spanish and was expected to hold a town-hall style meeting.
(Reporting by Reuters in San Juan, with additional reporting by Jane Sutton in Miami; Editing by Bill Trott)
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GOP fight for delegates stretches to Puerto Rico
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent–5 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — An upbeat Rick Santorum barreled into Puerto Rico on Wednesday in pursuit of another campaign-bending victory in a Republican presidential race where suddenly no primary is too minor and no delegate is conceded. Mitt Romney put nearly $1 million into television advertising in Illinois, the next big-state showdown.
"If we keep winning races, eventually people are going to figure out that Gov. Romney is not going to be the nominee," said Santorum, eager to build on Tuesday's unexpected victories in Alabama and Mississippi.
Romney in turn dismissed Santorum as a "lightweight" as far as the economy is concerned.
He also rebutted suggestions that he can't appeal to core conservatives. "You don't win a million more votes than anyone else in this race by just appealing to high-income Americans," he said on Fox News. "Some who are very conservative may not be in my camp, but they will be when I become the nominee, when I face Barack Obama."
Romney travels to Puerto Rico on Friday, after two days in New York fundraising.
But in a reflection of the importance of next week's Illinois primary, aides announced he would make a previously unscheduled campaign stop in the Chicago area en route to San Juan.
Newt Gingrich, despite losing twice in the South, a region he hoped to own in the race, showed no sign of abandoning his fading campaign.
That presumably suited Romney fine. But not so much Santorum, eager for a race in which he is the sole challenger on the right for Romney, the former Massachusetts governor.
The events of the previous 24 hours neatly summarized the most turbulent Republican presidential campaign in a generation.
Santorum's primary victories in Mississippi and Alabama were the product of a wellspring of conservative support that overcame Romney's overwhelming organizational and financial advantages in the race to pick a November opponent for Democrat Obama.
Yet despite his twin defeats in the South, Romney remains the faraway leader in the delegate chase. Incomplete returns showed him actually adding one or two to his advantage because of overnight caucus victories in Hawaii and American Samoa.
That division — headline-grabbing primary victories versus routine accumulation of delegates — emerged as an increasingly significant point of contention as Romney, Santorum and Gingrich selected facts and spun theories designed to put their own hopes in the best light.
Romney's aides point out that he has more than half the delegates picked so far, and he has said he's on track to win the nomination before the party convention opens in August.
"Tuesday's results actually increased Governor Romney's delegate lead, while his opponents only moved closer to their date of mathematical elimination," said a campaign memo written during the day for public circulation.
Santorum's camp outline a strategy that relies on increasing strength in later primaries coupled with outmaneuvering Romney in caucus states where the front-runner showed early strength but delegates have yet to be picked.
"Simply put, time is on our side," the Santorum campaign said in a memo early in the week. The campaign pledged a floor fight at the Republican National Convention over the seating of winner-take-all delegations in Arizona and Florida, both of which Romney won. It also envisioned two or three rounds of convention balloting before a nominee is selected.
But it skipped lightly over Illinois, where the former Pennsylvania senator fell 10 delegates short of a full slate for the March 20 primary.
Gingrich's campaign countered with a memo Tuesday that said Louisiana's primary on March 24 is just the halfway point in the campaign and the former House speaker had succeeded in a goal of blocking "an early Romney nomination." Long gone was an earlier claim that Gingrich would be roughly even with Romney in delegates by April or May.
While the campaigns maneuvered for position, the race was on for primaries in Puerto Rico on Sunday, Illinois on Tuesday and Louisiana on March 24.
Romney's television campaign in Illinois came on top of $2.4 million that a super PAC supporting him was spending on advertising. Polls show a competitive race in that state, advantage the front-runner.
Santorum hopes to add Louisiana to his list of Southern successes, and he held his Tuesday night victory rally there.
The primary in Puerto Rico, where residents cannot vote in the fall election, is drawing unusual prominence.
In an interview with a San Juan newspaper, El Vocero, Santorum said Puerto Rico should only gain statehood if the territory makes English its main language. Puerto Rico's official language is Spanish and most Puerto Ricans feel strongly about maintaining their culture and language.
"As in any other state, you have to comply with this and any federal law. And that is that English has to be the main language," Santorum told the paper. "There are other states with more than one language as is the case in Hawaii, but to be a state in the United States, English has to be the main language."
There is no federal law designating English as the country's official language, although some states and local governments have adopted such "English only" laws.
Santorum met briefly with Gov. Luis Fortuno, who has endorsed Romney, and later spoke to a town hall-style audience.
He defended his decision not to try to block the promotion of Sonia Sotomayor to be a federal appeals court judge when he was a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania — a promotion that eventually led to her nomination and confirmation as the first Latina justice on the Supreme Court. He said the Senate should allow "great deference to the president" in selecting lower court nominees and said he would expect that if he were president.
Many Republican senators voted against Sotomayor's high court confirmation in 2009. Santorum had been defeated for re-election in 2006.
With a handful of delegates yet to be allocated from Tuesday's races, the Associated Press tally showed Romney with 495 of the 1,144 needed for the nomination. Santorum had 252, Gingrich 131 and Ron Paul 46.
In a year of up-and-down turnout, Republican primary voters in Alabama and Mississippi cast ballots in record numbers.
Unofficial Alabama turnout was 621,549, topping the previous high, 554,639 in 2008, by 12 percent.
In Mississippi, unofficial turnout was 289,826, surpassing the previous high, 158,526 in 1988, by 83 percent.
In both cases, voters had an unexpectedly important role in the selection of a party nominee. It is rare for a Republican campaign to remain competitive until spring.
In this case, exit polls showed an electorate that was overwhelmingly conservative, distrustful of the federal government and eager to turn Obama out of office.
That consensus masked deep divisions when it came to sorting out the Republican field, though, and religion appeared to play a role.
Born again or evangelical voters accounted for about 80 percent of all the votes cast in Alabama and Hawaii, and Santorum picked up about 35 percent support from those voters in both states, compared with about 31 percent for Gingrich. Romney picked up 31 percent in Mississippi, the closer of the two races, but only about 27 percent in Alabama. Neither performance came close to the 38 percent support he had among evangelicals in Florida, where he was victorious.
Conservative resistance was more than a match in Mississippi for the support Romney had from the party establishment. Gov. Phil Bryant and both of the state's Republican National Committee members endorsed him.
Associated Press writers Kasie Hunt in Puerto Rico and Stephen Ohlemacher contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Puerto Ricans set to voice a choice in GOP race - The Associated Press
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Puerto Ricans set to voice a choice in GOP race
The Associated Press
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Welcome to the Caribbean, Republicans. Puerto Rico doesn't get full voting privileges in Congress. It doesn't vote for the president in the general election. And it has been fighting for decades not just over its status as ...
Puerto Rico Primary: Republicans Set To Vote On GOP Field Despite Territorial ...Huffington Post
GOP's Rick Santorum says Puerto Rico must make English its main language to ...Washington Post
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Puerto Ricans set to voice a choice in GOP race
By KASIE HUNT, Associated Press–11 hours ago
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Welcome to the Caribbean, Republicans.
Puerto Rico doesn't get full voting privileges in Congress. It doesn't vote for the president in the general election. And it has been fighting for decades not just over its status as a U.S. territory but to make its voice heard on issues of national importance.
Now, islanders are getting their chance — for one day at least.
A series of state-by-state Republican presidential contests on the mainland have failed to provide clarity to the muddy GOP field. So the race has turned to Puerto Rico. And on Sunday, Puerto Ricans will weigh in on who the GOP should pick to challenge President Barack Obama in the fall.
"We can do exceptionally well here in Puerto Rico, but we're going to need your help and support," Rick Santorum, Republican front-runner Mitt Romney's chief challenger, pleaded Wednesday at a town hall-style event in San Juan's financial district.
The Republican presidential primary has turned into a slog, with no end in sight anytime soon. Romney leads in the hunt for delegates to the national nominating convention and Santorum is looking to prevent him from getting the 1,144 needed to secure the party nod.
On Sunday, 20 delegates are at stake in Puerto Rico's GOP primary, more than those that were up for grabs in the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary in January. Puerto Rico's delegates will be split among candidates unless someone wins 50 percent of the vote, which is unlikely in a multi-candidate field.
The Caribbean island of 3.7 million people is part of the United States. Even though Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, they pay no federal taxes and cannot vote in presidential elections. Its political parties are largely built around disagreements over its political status. The fight over whether it should push for statehood or independence has been waged since 1964, and it's likely to shape the GOP primary race on the island. The economy too is certain to be an issue given Puerto Rico's sky-high 15.1 percent unemployment rate.
Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, arrived in Puerto Rico on an early morning flight from Louisiana, riding high on momentum from winning the Alabama and Mississippi primaries a day earlier.
"If we keep winning races, eventually people are going to figure out that Gov. Romney is not going to be the nominee," Santorum told a sun-drenched group of reporters outside the governor's mansion.
Santorum met privately with Puerto Rican Gov. Luis Fortuno — he is a rising star in Republican politics who supports Romney — for about half an hour early in the day.
Romney, the ex-governor of Massachusetts, is set to arrive Friday.
Puerto Rico was last in the national political spotlight four years ago, in June 2008, during the epic Democratic delegate battle between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama. Clinton, who was a New York senator at the time with a huge crop of Puerto Rican constituents, campaigned hard on the island and won it 68 percent to 32 percent. At the time, Obama refused to take a position on the island's status. As president, Obama promised to "enable the question of Puerto Rico's status to be resolved" in his first term. But the administration was silent when the House weighed in on a bill in 2010 about the island's fate.
Four years after the Clinton-Obama clash, the struggle over statehood could end up helping Romney.
It divides politics on the island as much as the traditional Republican-Democratic split, and the establishment forces that will help get people to the polls prefer Romney's position on the issue. One aspect of the statehood fight is whether English should be made the official language in the former Spanish colony.
Fortuno, for one, hails from the New Progressive Party, which supports making Puerto Rico the 51st state. He has pushed for a referendum on the question, and on Nov. 6 voters will choose whether they want change the status quo and become a state instead of remaining a U.S. commonwealth. Congress has the ultimate say.
The two GOP candidates' approaches to where to go after Puerto Ricans vote have pushed Fortuno and others like him toward Romney. Fortuno spokesman Edward Zayas said Fortuno endorsed Romney early in the GOP nomination fight in large part because of the statehood question.
"I expect the people of Puerto Rico will decide that they want to become a state," Romney said at a forum in Miami last fall. "If that vote comes out in favor of statehood ... we will go through the process in Washington to provide statehood to Puerto Rico."
Santorum has hedged more, saying that while he would help Puerto Rico become a state, its people would have to make a "decisive decision" to do so. He said Wednesday that a simple majority of Puerto Ricans — "50 percent plus one," as Santorum put it — wouldn't be enough to show that islanders really want statehood.
And Santorum went further in an interview with local newspaper El Vocero, saying he doesn't think Puerto Rico should become a state unless it adopts English as its main language. Spanish has been the language of Puerto Rico since Christopher Columbus claimed the island for Spain in 1493. The Puerto Rican government does its business largely in Spanish, and many of its residents think cultural issues like language should be dictated by the states, not the federal government.
Beyond statehood, the race in Puerto Rico also could offer an opportunity for Republicans to appeal to Hispanic voters ahead of the general election. Obama has a significant edge among Hispanics, the nation's fastest-growing minority group, at a time when GOP candidates have been taking a hard line against illegal immigration.
On Wednesday, Santorum was pressed about his decision to support President Bill Clinton's promotion of Sonia Sotomayor to a U.S. district court judgeship, a position that eventually allowed her to become a member of the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is of Puerto Rican descent.
Romney has criticized Santorum for backing Sotomayor in the 1990s. But Santorum is defending his decision to vote for her two decades ago, saying the Senate should allow "great deference to the president" in selecting lower court nominees and said he would expect that if he were president.
"There's a different standard" for Supreme Court nominees, Santorum said.
For all its quirks, Puerto Rico's sudden prominence in the GOP primary contest isn't as unlikely as it may seem.
Some Republican operatives have long viewed the island as a significant primary battleground. There's also a potential financial benefit. Candidates often leverage local connections to reach deep-pocketed donors in Puerto Rican communities in Florida and New York.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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