No Votes, No Problem for Obama in Puerto Rico

“I think it is good. They need a President to go over there and see about the economy,” said Maria Rivera.

 

True enough, there is a 17 percent unemployment rate on the Island. Certainly the President is highly concerned about the economy, it might be the Achilles Heal in his re-election. But this day, this visit it was all about votes.

 

There was massive TV coverage, a big crowd at the airport and a couple of speeches and a stop for a Media Noche sandwich at a local restaurant, all vintage Obama campaign style.

 

It was a major event and effort to sway a population that cannot vote for the president. Since Puerto Rico is not a state, residents can’t elect a U.S. President even though they are U.S. Citizens.

 

Four million Puerto Ricans live in the United States, and unlike those on the Island who are citizens of the Commonwealth they can vote for President and Obama needs those votes. The idea: make nice in Puerto Rico and relatives and friends in the States will cast their votes for the President in critical states like New York, New Jersey, and Florida.

 

“I am going to vote for him. I got five votes in my house,” Carmelo DeLeon, shopping in Wynwood, said.

 

“It is good to know that he is interested in the island, that he is there and aware. We have issues just like everyone else does,” said Rebecca Blanco.

 

Those issues are what the President will have to address if he is going to run a successful reelection campaign. Can he really do anything about the 17% unemployment? That’s the question even enthusiastic Puerto Ricans will have to resolve before they cast their vote.

 

“I do not know how much an impact it is going to be for him to be there for four hours, shake some hands,”says Jimmy Carey who owns Jimmy’s Restaurant on the fringes of Wynwood. “It will be interesting to see what the outcome is.”