jeanvidal
+ FollowCNN’s Shameful Handling of the “Puerto Rico” Question
Last week, CNN hosted its last GOP Florida debate. As Justin Velez noted in a recent post at Politic365, Florida is home to a sizable Puerto Rican population,.
Being the next stop on the Republican Party’s rollercoaster ride of a primary, and the first with a significant Hispanic population, Florida Hispanics have the opportunity to meaningfully impact primary results. Within that heavily-Hispanic demography, Puerto Ricans are demanding more and more respect, growing by 75% in the last decade to 32% of the state’s Hispanic vote. At the same time, the total number of Florida voters has dropped, triggering Puerto Rican growth to have an even greater impact.
Thus, Boricuas were wavering on two possibilities during the debate: We will be ignored, as usual, OR the moderators will have to ask about Puerto Rico at some point given the Puerto Rican Diaspora in Florida. Most people considered the former rather than the latter as the outcome. Then, much to our surprise (and excitement) CNN took a question from Ms. Elizabeth Cuevas:
CUEVAS: We have been treated as second-class citizen and just now our governor’s name was not mentioned as a V.P. possibility, a great governor. My question to you is, where do you stand for Puerto Rico to become a state? And secondly, how do you — where do you stand on domestic trade between Florida and Puerto Rico, between Tampa Bay and Ponce ports, which have been neglected? Thank you.
BLITZER: All right. Senator Santorum, let’s throw that question to you. The question about, do you support Puerto Rico potentially as the 51st state?
While I have no empirical evidence regarding this, Puerto Ricans both on the Island and the Mainland were ecstatic to know that all four main candidates for the GOP nomination would be forced to state their position on the hundred-plus year colonization of 3.7 million U.S. citizens. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer gave former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) a chance to answer, to which he answered and praised the current governor, Luis Fortuño. Sadly, once Santorum responded, Blitzer moved on to another question without giving Romney, Gingrich or Paul the chance to also answer.
In other words, CNN hosted a debate that aimed at focusing on Florida issues, and when confronted with the central issue to Florida’s second largest Hispanic group, CNN decided to give it less importance than the discussion of a lunar colony.
CNN’s decision to undervalue the issue of Puerto Rico’s colonial status (and the deprivation of the full power of the US Constitution to 3.7 million US Citizens) led many Boricuas to believe just how little the network considers the main issue to Florida Puerto Ricans to be.
Cuevas’ question was important on two points: It forced the candidates to state their position as to the entrance of a Spanish-speaking state, particularly given the upcoming plebiscite on November 6th, 2012. The GOP has publicly endorsed Puerto Rican statehood (Ford, Reagan, Bush Sr. and Junior) but failed to pass legislation enabling a federally sponsored referendum. It has also failed to categorically state their position on Puerto Rico’s entrance to the Union as a Spanish speaking state.
For example, candidates like Gingrich have come out in favor of an English-Only amendment, while only a minority of Puerto Ricans on the Island speak English. While Romney came out in favor of statehood a few days later, the debate was the perfect opportunity to have all four candidates state their position.
Secondly, the question highlighted the fact that none of the candidates had mentioned Governor Luis Fortuño, a rising star in the GOP, when asked about which Latinos would they name on their Cabinet. Governor Fortuño has reduced the government’s payroll, cut income taxes while recognizing the need to raise taxes on foreign multi-nationals, and enacted legislation for Public-Private-Partnerships, all while moving Puerto Rico out of the nearly decade long economic recession. His omission during the cabinet-question, particularly in a Puerto Rican heavy state, left many Boricuas wondering. However, given CNN’s prioritizing of topics, we will never know how they would have responded without the benefit of hindsight.
CNN’s decision showcased how little they regard the colonial status of 3.7 million U.S. citizens – and an issue of extreme importance to nearly 4 million citizens residing on the Mainland. Maybe, come March 18th, Puerto Rico is still relevant enough in the GOP primary to make the candidates speak on the issues that afflict the oldest colony in the world.
More on Politic365
31 Responses to CNN’s Shameful Handling of the “Puerto Rico” Question
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Marcus B. says:
No they can't hear the answer Justin because 85% don't even understand English.
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Just4You says:
What a moron
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Dar R. says:
Marcus B.: Just for your information, Puerto Rico has been a United States possesion since 1898. I believe that would give enough time for the United States citizens on the island to learn, speak, write, and UNDERSTAND English. Why don't you visit the island before you speak out of turn and without information?
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David says:
Marcus is wrong. It's closer to 80%. Listening to Puerto Rican politicians speak in English makes your brain hurt.
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Jean Vidal says:
Justin: Thank you! It was incredible how CNN just swept the question, particularly with all the focus that latino issues had in previous debates.
Marcus: Perhaps, but the answers would have been translated in the next day's paper.
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Pablo says:
No se duerman con nosotros los puertorriqueños!!!!!!! Y se le pongo el mensaje en español aunque hablo ingles. Sino entiendes traducelo en google.
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Becca says:
Marcus: there are translating devices in modern day television sets which do the work for the people who are not fully bilingual. Funny enough, Puerto Ricans can understand basic English, but they have a slight difficulty replying, which is surprisingly a bigger achievement than many north Americans who can't even handle their first language to begin with, let alone two.
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Great piece Jean! The problem stems from Puerto Ricans not using their political muscle effectively!
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Victor Dominguez says:
Jean, I think you're giving Fortuño WAY too much praise when it comes to how he's handled Puerto Rico. I was born and partially raised in Puerto Rico then later in life moved to Miami. I lived there for about 12 years and now Im back home (Puerto Rico). First, I'd like to point out that what happens in Puerto Rico and what makes the US media and what's promoted by the politicians (in Puerto Rico and in the US) are two TOTALLY different things. Our crime rate is higher than ever, university tuition is higher than ever, our debt has increased while the work force has decreased. He (Fortuño) claims that employment has gone up but he is counting the part-time jobs where workers MIGHT get 12-15 hours A WEEK at minimum wage… Is that really an improvement? Also, corruption at the executive and legislative level is completely out of control, so much that we have even posted a request to President Obama on the "We the People" website. Im not saying this because Im anti-Fortuño. I don't agree with everything he's done but when he does something right, Ill be the first to point it out (ex. how he's handled natural disasters on the island is something that should be applauded). But that's not what makes a "good governor" as Elizabeth Cuevas claims… She is another example of how US based Puerto Ricans are so far out of touch with what REALLY happens back home. I'd like to also point out that Im a registered Republican, by US standards (you can look it up if you'd like or don't believe me). That in itself is ironic because in Puerto Rico, being Republican or Democrat does not mean the same as being Republican or Democrat in the US… Something that politicians here as well as in the US either don't know or won't admit. Please, please please check your facts prior to writing praise about someone who's only real accomplishment is promoting himself and twisting the facts.
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Victor, you moved to Miami, but I'm still in Puerto Rico. I am firmly convinced that Fortuño has done a much needed job and we are finally on our third quarter of economic growth.
My facts are clear, I live them every day.
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Again you missed what Victor is actually saying. He currently lives in Puerto Rico and lives, as you do, the hard, cold facts everyday. I have only recently moved out of the island to start a much better paying job as a teacher in the State of Minnesota. I get payed double what I would have gotten payed in Puerto Rico. If Fortuño really were serious about reducing unemployment on the island, we would not have such a high crime rate. Both go hand in hand. I am a registered Democrat and I am totally in favor of what Victor has posted. Get your facts straight and stop voting for a PNP just because your mom and dad and your grandparents before them voted PNP. Fortuño has put the island back 10 years with his policies. Or don't you remember Proposition 936 that former governor Rosello removed and didn't replace it with a similar law? That resulted in dozens of companies and pharmaceuticals leaving the island. Fortuño has only worsened the situation.
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Interesting Dar. R…. You think I vote PNP because someone else (be it a parent or grandparent) voted PNP? Do you even know what my family voted? Of course not (but why would that stop you).
Not that you deserve any explanation, but why the heck not. My family isn't a party loyalist to either side. Some have voted one way at one time, and another at another time, depending on the candidates. Personally, it was only with Fortuño that I agreed enough with the PNP to support the Governor.
But why would I expect you to understand such nuances if your comment shows a shot-gun approach? Fortuño has placed the island 10 years back? Well, I hope so because that would place us in 2000 (back when the economy still moved, or did you forget that it was Sila and Anibal who completely destroyed the economy?).
Oh and one fun note…. Proposition 936 never existed. It wasn't a proposition, it was a tax code (semantics, but hey, it's all good). Section 936 of the US Tax Code was not removed by Roselló, it was removed by Congress, and Congress never legislated anything similar.
So dear Dar R., I do hope you teach your students something better versed in facts than the embarrassing post you just posted.
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MrMullers says:
Someone had to recalibrate the island’s economy by pushing for private sector re-involvement, and that was Fortuño.
Now, on the CNN debate PR question, I felt they were just giving us lip service which goes to show either ignorance or apathy of our situation and electoral power. Maybe they’ve resignated with us. Who knows?
What we know now is that Rick and Luis are good friends.
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Chris says:
Shameful. The statehood debate has the potential to become a major issue in the not so distant future being that is very likely that the statehood option will get the majority of the vote in November's status referendum. I am especially disappointed that Newt Gingrich has been silent on the matter being that he was a big supporter of Puerto Rican statehood as the Speaker of the House in the 1990s and has interviewed Fortuno several times.
We as a nation must pay closer attention to our territories and American Indian reservations. They are American citizens just like the rest of us with their own concerns and problems, and deserve the proper attention from the Federal government. A big issue in Puerto Rico today is border security … and the effects are the same as what is happening in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, etc complete with drug smugglers and illegal immigrants. Their problems are not just Puerto Rican problems … they are national problems too.
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Euro Gringo says:
I'm getting so tired of groups of people "demanding respect".
Learn that respect is something that you get automatically when you deserve it!Then, the statehood discussion is not interesting at all since congress won't listen unless a good majority of the islanders would want the sames status, be it statehood, commonwealth or –less likely– independence.
It would be good if Puerto Ricans would concentrate on getting the island up and running.
Stop whining and start working!
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sara r. says:
This must be a joke. Fortuño is the worst head of government in all Puerto Rico's history: Crime is at an all time high, Unemployment at an all time high with a scary 16.5% , health care is a total disaster (go to the main public hospital in San Juan and see it for yourself, it is a complete mess), economic growth in negative numbers for 4 straight years and counting, 2 island-wide university strikes in less than 4 years, civil rights violations and Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch reports, Fortuño has been a complete disaster. Check recent polls and it shows.
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Dave says:
Puerto Rican dont have to choose statehood they could choose independence. The question is do Puerto Rican see themselves as Puerto Ricans or Puerto Rican American. I like to believe that we as a people can thrive as a independent nation. Our island sits on the cross sea between North\South America, Africa and Europe. If a smaller nation like Singapore can do it why cant we?
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If you can't do it with all the $$ from Washington DC do you really think you can do it on your own?
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Do you really think that there is a lot of "$$" in Washington DC?
Seriously Now!
You must live under a rock.
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The US won't allow any other country to invest.
PR has the best location in the Caribbean.
Independence IS the only option for PR.
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Puerto Rico is too closely linked and reliant on the US for independence to be a viable option. And at any rate only about 10% of Puerto Ricans support independence. There is too much to lose and practically nothing to gain by becoming independent.
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Ah here we go with the Alex Salmond-esque arguments full of emotion but with no logic …
Think about it for a second.
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ANTONIO PADILLA says:
que mucha basura se habla de puerto rico, vivo en new york desde los años 50:s.. nunca me olvido de ser boricua pero lo cierto que si me hubise quedado alla' no se como hubiese llegado a vivir a tener ma's de 70 años.. he visitado puerto rico recientemente y con solo observar la ola de criminales que se ha desarrollado despues de los años 60s .me da un miedo ,que realmente no me explico como le llaman un paraiso..
que DIOS le ampare su bienestar .pero no veo la estrella que les guiara' en el futuro.. al menos que se dediquen a estudiar y trabajar por el bien de todos.. en vez de dedicarse a la criminalidad y el abuso de drogas..solo con el proposito de vivir y que bien y no tener que trabajar.QUE PENA MI GENTE! -
Victor , I am Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder, i do visit the island 5 to 6 times a year. I have my family in Utuado, and was responsible to get the Port of Ponce back to Ponce with the hope to start this year exporting our products.
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Elizabeth says:
I am very near and informed of our islands problems which has been molding the islands present issues for a long, long, long time. I am very proud and honor to be a true Puerto Rican who left the island, have a phenomenal family and children; a doctor, a lawyer and a speech pathologist. !
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Not bad for a little girl whose life was no running water, with fogon and letrinas. Keep an eye, because something great is going to happened to Puerto Rico and i place 100% my trust in Gov, Fortuno, I have seeing his class, professional posture and the love to make things better after many years of the past government disabling our people with el mantengo and debilitating our agriculture. Tomorrow I will be in Tampa invited by President Obama directors because I must have touch a nerve. In adition in all parties we have the good, bad and ugly. I am seeing much good with governor Fortuno. I am looking forward to work with him and our Mayor Bob Buckhorn in Tampa who is a Democrat. Sweet dreams and good night
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Elizabeth! Thank you for commenting (and for posting the question at the debate!)
Cheers,
Jean
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Funny, I thought that Cuba was the important subject for republicans. How many minutes were devoted to that island in comparison to Puerto Rico. Hasn't it always been like that?
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Apex Twns says:
What's even funnier is that between those two, one is ruled by communists and the other is considered the oldest colony in the world, while highly involved with a "Free Nation".
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Great piece Jean! (you beat me to the punch on this one!) 4 million American citizens not allowed to vote, have no rep (with a vote) in DC, are screwed on Social Security, VA benefits, and more (true they do have the consolation that they pay less in Federal taxes, but…), and CNN follows right along, ignoring a question that pertains, not only to the 4 million islanders, but the 4.6 million on the mainland. That's 8.5 million American citizens and potential TV viewers who would loved to have heard the answer to that question and CNN completely ignored it.