March 7, 2008
Posted: 12:06 PM ET

(CNN) – The Democratic Party of Puerto Rico has submitted a revised plan to the Democratic National Committee that would move its presidential nomination contest from June 7 to June 1.

The proposed plan would also change the contest from caucuses to a primary.

“This is an important mark in the political history of Puerto Rico,” said Roberto Prats, the territory’s Democratic party chairman, according to an account in the Spanish-language paper El Nuevo Dia.

The move would not become official until the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee approves the new plan after a 30 day comment period.

If approved, the shift would make the Montana and South Dakota primaries on June 3 the final Democratic contests of the 2008 primary season, if Michigan and Florida do not hold repeat votes after that date.

A DNC spokeswoman confirms to CNN that the party has received the revised plan, and that the date change is likely to be approved, though official action won’t be taken for at least a month.

There are 55 pledged delegates at stake in Puerto Rico, and 8 superdelegates. Puerto Rico Republicans held their presidential nominating contest on February 24.

–CNN’s Robert Yoon and Jeff Simon

Filed under: Puerto Rico


Joseph   March 7th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

All of the sudden everyone wants to question the votes of the people of Puerto Rico. I wonder why? Could it be that Hillary may win that election since they have a large Hispanic population? I didn't hear these complaints when Obama won the Virgin Island primary not long ago. And maybe they are changing the rules because now three days after the Texas Caucus we still don't have even half of the results.

tkia11   March 7th, 2008 5:07 pm ET

All this hype about a man who just recently surfaced…where was he a year ago…………….? If it was a job applications……she would take it hands down..as she should and hopefully will. Go Hillary….Some people are so weak minded…..one speech and there they go…..Hey, Obamabots, I have some ocean front property in Arizona!!!!!!!!!

After further review,Texas   March 7th, 2008 5:06 pm ET

I agree,PR should now be free to have their own country.they can have their own military,taxes and a President of their own just like Cuba.

aware   March 7th, 2008 4:58 pm ET

Good for the Democratic Party of Puerto Rico! This is awesome!

Hillary the HOPE of 08 and the smart choice! Yes, we will! :)

Haley Rodman Clemson   March 7th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

Is Puerto Rico going to become a state one day or is it going to become its own nation? Also, why do they get to vote in the primaries? Finally, it's pretty clear that they are pulling for Hillary.

Anonymous   March 7th, 2008 4:49 pm ET

You folks complaining about caucuses are only doing so because Hillary lost the delegate count in Texas (i.e., she lost Texas). Had it been the other way around, you wouldn't be making those silly remarks. Go for a real change, vote Obama!

JVt   March 7th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

uchujin
—you are vastly misinformed….go to the library read about history between U.S. and Puerto Rico!

NYC BAAABY!   March 7th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

GO PR!! they are right form making it a primary. caucuses are just two hours. how are 2,000,000 people going to vote in two hours. and not just that but republicans also come and vote to mess us up. thats why obama has all this money and is in the lead right now. the republicans are voting for him because he is the easier candidate to beat. the republicans have his heritage, tony rezko and other things that they can use to easily beat obama.

and OBAMA supporters: STOP CRYIN'! all you guy do is whine and badmouth others who do not support him. he is also forcing black superdelagates to vote for him, saying one thing and doing the other and he might go to jail because of the rezko case. im a proud black woman and i do NOT WANT OBAMA IN THAT OFFICE!!! DO NOT VOTE FOR HIM!!

HILLARY 08

Leslie Somerville, Seattle, Washington   March 7th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Primary!! Ca-Ching, for the old Hillstar–way to go Mrs. President.
More money is coming your way. Let me go get my Visa Card….

Harvey   March 7th, 2008 4:39 pm ET

Obama is a Dem who is scared of Primarys..he needs indep and Rep to win anything…but in the Gen election they will all vote McCain

Jermaine   March 7th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

I ma from the US Virgin Islands, The V.I. went for OBAMA, and also have a huge Puerto rican population. PR govenor has already endorse OBAMA, PR will vote for OBAMA in a landslide. Hillary is trying that Hispanic/Black divisive vote. I have news for her and all her supporter's us islanders stick together, OBAMA is obviously the choice of the world, HILLARY is a MONSTER!

Also, Puerto rico populations is well over 5 million, Wyoming is 500,000. New Flash, as soon as the commonwealth of PR gets statehood it will have at the minimum 15 Representatives to Congress and the MAX 25. It will be the 22 largest State in population. Imagine a Latin State with so much power, can you see a Puerto Rican President in the next 20 years, I can and I am not dreaming anymore, I am hopeful. Change is in the Air, and the change we seek is not Hillary or MCCAIN it is OBAMA JAN 09 SWEARING IN. PR will take him to 2025 along with the 89 super's who will endorse him in 2 weeks. I HAVE A DREAM THAT OBAMA WILL DEFEAT CLINTON RESOUNDINGLY, SHOULD SHE PULL ANY OTHER STUNTS THE BLACK & PR LATIN VOTE WILL GO IN GREAT NUMBERS TO MCCAIN, JUST AS A SHOW OF FORCE FOR OBAMA. THE MOVEMENT IS NOW, NOVEMBER WILL BE A REVOLUTION!

NO MONSTER!

Belle   March 7th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

A PRIMARY allows for more time for voters….for example…if they work for a living…they can stop by a voting booth and cast their ballot. In Caucas settings, there is a SPECIFIED time. If you are working…too bad for you…that is why so Very few usually are the ones picking the candidate for President.

Obama fans….Clinton is NOT behind every single thing YOU personally don't like.

I personally would prefer ONE Primary Election held just like the General Election, but the DNC spaces it out so candidates can campaign in most states, and raise money to do it!

This has been a campaign that both candidates has "Stretched" the truth about each other, both have raised more money for the campaigns than any other candidates in the HISTORY of the Democratic Party….Both candidates are rallying and exciting the Democratic Voters to come out to vote….what two to one over the Republicans….

The States the Clinton campaign focused on were states NEEDED to win the Presidency. The Obama Campaign focused on primarily Red states, and he still has NOT won a critical state needed for the Presidency.

Electoral Votes count in the general election.
298 Clinton
194 Obama

Eric S   March 7th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

Good. Caucus is just ridiculous. Why not just have a simpler and more democratic form.

illinois voter for truth.   March 7th, 2008 4:29 pm ET

Go Puerto Rico.
Go Obama for Pres. Not V.P.Obama will not be V.P.
for Hillary. He has more scruples than that. Just
read his emmy award winning book entitiled, THE
AUDACITY OF HOPE" which is the true him. He
wrote that book long before he ever decided to run
for Presidency.
Best Wishes to you in Puerto Rico…………..Every one
of your votes are important!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From caucausian woman of 62 for Obama 2008

Austin, Texas   March 7th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

I'd question any states democracy if they didn't change from a caucus to a primary in 4 years after seeing this years Texas 2 step debacle.

The only way you could caucus in Texas was if you voted in the primary. You had your registration card stamped, and you had to show that to caucus. So how is it democratic to have 1 person win the primary vote by over 100k votes, but lose the caucus which are the same voters that voted in the primary?

This is basically saying (O, well those who have the time will have twice as much say in choosing our president as those with less time).

Joe-Wilmington, DE   March 7th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

Will it benefit Hillary Clinton? You say it will? Well, then by all means do it!

This sarcastic comment is brought to you by a disgruntled Democrat who is sick of the usual Democratic party, brain-dead way of doing things.

Let's just appoint Hillary and watch McCain beat her.

mbs   March 7th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

I agree the caucus system should be BANNED in all the states. Voting should be one vote per person in a PRIMARY. This is FAIR and more people get to participate, especially if the states have early voting. Caucuses sound out-dated. We're in the 21st century.

I also agree with the suggestion that primaries should be held by dividing the country into 4 regions and each region voting on a separate date. This would be less costly and less time consuming for the candidates.

HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT !!!

Lilia, from PA   March 7th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

HILLARY IS ABOVE THE LAW, and a very POWERFUL INSTIGATOR. She will never stop in her trucks to become the FIRST FAMALE PRESIDENT OF US even if she has to cheet, lie, decive, ETC……

You Remember the Bill Clinton era?????? Be ready for another 8 more.

Americans we are known for not having common sense. Even the press seems to forge along with her cheap shots….

mary cleveland, ohio   March 7th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

The reason they don't want caucuses is because Obama wins them and Hillary looses them.

Anonymous   March 7th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

Puerto Rico may not be a state but it is a U.S. territory and is governed by the same government as us (except they have a governer, like all U.S. states), so they very much deserve a say in our presedential elections. The U.S. president is in essence the president for Puerto Ricans, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam…And PR has more delegates than Wyoming because the population of PR is about 4 million, while the population of WY is, what, 600,000? More representation for more people.

Gene   March 7th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Why must any thinking human being change the rules of the game because someone is losing. Rules 're rules and should never be reverse. Hillary and Obama all agreed to the rules and they should stick to it. Changing rules in the middle of a game is like robbing paul to pay peter. Americans wake up!!!

Alex H   March 7th, 2008 4:16 pm ET

Alright here are your answers for all the ignorant posters here:

Puerto Rico gets more votes because its… oh I don't know… A COUNTRY (btw… so is Guam in case you forgot), that's 4 million people compared to 500,000 in Wyoming. There are more people there than in many states. There are a lot of democrats in Puerto Rico. On top of that, PR doesn't have a say in who becomes president, only who runs for president. To keep things straight, the RIGHT to vote for who runs for president doesn't exist! You don't have that right you have that PRIVILEGE! You have the right to vote for who BECOMES president. There's a difference here. The primaries and caucuses are privileges for voters of certain political parties. GET IT RIGHT.

Puerto Rico IS federally taxed as though they are American citizens, their president is our president whether they voted for him or not… guess what… it's not, they have 1 person in Congress representing them and he doesn't have any real power (as he shouldn't since they're not a state) but that is the justification for the US taxing them, and if you think people under those conditions don't have a say in a political party they belong to then you need to get a grip on reality.

If you've still got a problem, take it up with your conscience.

Annamica, OH   March 7th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

Caucuses are not a true representation of a democracy. It's an outdated system that we need to be rid of. Way to go PR!

Awwww, are the obama supporters afraid Obama can't win without a caucus? LOL..Sorry but the GE will not host caucuses.

optimistic   March 7th, 2008 4:05 pm ET

Viva Puerto Rico!
Now your votes could be a significant part of the 2008 primary, although it is odd to switch from caucus to primary the last minute.

vl   March 7th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

Great call, get RID of those STUPID CAUCUSES! I have heard from so many friends about the thugs out in force at caucus states. We really need a consistent way to vote.

matty   March 7th, 2008 4:01 pm ET

I'm glad they will move this up and Florida and Michigan too. Talk about buyers remorse, it seems like Obama's campaign is like a comet hurtling towards the earth. GO HILLDOG!

asdf   March 7th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

Whether PR or Guam or any other non-state gets to vote in the primary is up to the party. Ask them.

To the person who said Puerto Ricans want to receive benefits as if they are American citizens, I have news for you: they are American citizens.

Anonymous   March 7th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

This comment is in response to the comment posted by "uchujin" and "yns".

You are both idiots. Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States. Its people, my people, are citizens of the United States.

I suggest you both read up on Puerto Rico, its history and its long suffering under US policy before you comment on what rights its people ought to have.

WT   March 7th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

Can you say Hillary is desperate? She is trying to get to the white house any way she can. With negative attacks and unjust comments against Obama, who has run a magnificent campaing and has not get down to Hillary's level of negatives attacks.

Of course Hillary prefers primaries over caucuses, as seen in Texas, she did better in the primary than the caucuses. It wouldn't surprise me that she is behind this move to change the caucuses in Puerto Rico, and also behind the moves of trying to get Michigan and Florida back in the contest after they violated the rules.

For those who think that Puerto Rico shouldn't vote until statehood, then maybe we should not also have Puerto Rican dying in the war defending this US nation. I mean if they are not good enough to vote, they should not be good enough to fight for US. Just a thought!

Louis   March 7th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

hey Darth Vadik did you also know that PR has more veterans per capita than any of the 50 states in every conflict we ever been in.

Bob G.   March 7th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

The caucus in Texas was indeed a Farce and very undemocratic!

Over 2.8 million citizens voted either early or on election day during the primaries.

The caucuses that were more like circuses will probably (still counting) have about 100,000 or about 3% of the very SAME people who already voted in the primary.

So 2/3 of the delegates are allocated to 2.8 million votes and 1/3 to less than 100,000 votes. Do the math in the Primary you get 1 delegate for every 223,000 voters and in the Caucus you get 1 delegate for every 1,492 voters. Doubt if BO would have gotten that many delegates if Texas had a Primary system only.

Something terribly wrong with this system - hopefully Texas will learn and quit using the hybrid Texas 2 step system!

Good for you Puerto Rico - go for the Primary so that every vote counts!

NC   March 7th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

Sounds like a good idea to me. Learning how to do a caucas would require one to read and understand and we know some people are to busy to learn anything new.

NYC, NY, New Yorker   March 7th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

All you Obamabot ( Republiocans)

Grow up Apparently you people don't realize this a presidental race. Obama is no JFK, or RFK.

SMARTEN UP!   March 7th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

Carl,

That's actually pretty ignorant of you. Have you ever even been to Puerto Rico? The majority of the people DO speak English, ya know!

Barb Canada   March 7th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

Caucuses should be banned, From everything I have read on what they involve, it's ridiculous! The fact that a primary and caucus can be held in the same State with 2 different results is very telling as to it not being very representative of the people! I think at this point the DNC would allow anything, heck why not double the delegate count! At this point who would care….flip a coin….mud wrestle… sounds like they are open to ideas!

Obama 08   March 7th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

Another one for Obama. It's getting quite clear why Obama should be the nominee.

yolanda major   March 7th, 2008 3:53 pm ET

Austin, TX

"It just means that your supporters were actually able to show up at the designated time."

Isn't that the point, whether it's a caucus or primary!

NYC, NY, New Yorker   March 7th, 2008 3:53 pm ET

uchujin, Derrick

You got to love the obama bots. Trying supress Puerto rico . When they know that Virgin Island voted and other us terroties voted also. If they didn't know they proablly need get a re-education.

George from Minneapolis   March 7th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

The wheels are in motion to steal the election from Obama. He had better not sit back and allow this thing to be stolen from him.

yns   March 7th, 2008 3:47 pm ET

Why are the people of Puerto Rico even voting when there are not even a state? That goes for all those other places that are not official states of the United States! What is it with this?

Derrick   March 7th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

Why does Puerto Rico even have a say? If you don't want to be a state, you don't want to pay federal taxes, and you don't want to contribute to the country, then you don't get to decide how we run the country.

Stop the crying!!!   March 7th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

EXCUSE ME!!! I have been reading these bloggs for weeks. Obama supporters are the cry babies. When they were losing they whinned hard and loud. Get over it. This is a fair fight to the finish. And it's not over. You all cry foul if you think Clintin is going to win, You get foul mouthed when Obama wins. Let the two candidates do what they have to do. It's called politics. You are a bunch of hateful 20 - 30 year olds. And your used to getting your own ways. Face reality and grow up. Go John McCain!!!!

Stacy Clarks, Texas   March 7th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

Darth Vadik, CA:

Puerto rico is part of the U.S. (people, please be informed before posting comments, thank you)

Leslie   March 7th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

To Darth,

You mean we finally get to vote after fighting in US wars for more than 100 years?

JOHN   March 7th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

To answer Darth Vadik's quetsion Puerto Rico has a larger population thats why they have more delegates. Small island with a lot of people. I personally belive they should not get to vote until the are granted statehood, which they should be.

Austin, Texas   March 7th, 2008 3:36 pm ET

change1,

This election season has shown just how undemocratic a caucus is. I live in Texas. over 2 million people voted in the primary, and a fraction voted in the caucus.

I would urge all caucus states to move to a primary. Primaries are run all day. Estimated times 9am - 7pm. At any point, someone can take 10 - 15 minutes of their day to vote.

In a caucus, you have to rearrange your schedule around it. You have to be at the caucus at a certain time (Usually late afternoon). You have to stay for at least 2 hours while you are counted. This is frustrating and it leaves alot of people (Those who have to work, children, etc.) out of the process.

No offense, but a caucus win really doesn't say alot to me. It just means that your supporters were actually able to show up at the designated time.

ABG   March 7th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

Caucuses are rediculous! There is too much probability of the voting not being fair. Why do the Democrats have to make things so hard? Straight primaries please!

CB   March 7th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

Hey Puerto Rico, what's the real reason for changing the date and the contest from a caucus to a primary? You don't have any electoral votes, you are exempt from IRS taxes, ineligible to vote in presidential elections and have repeatedly voted down full US statehood. So, what's the deal? If you are changing the game down there for mischief, give it a rest. There’s enough going on in the continental U.S. without mischief from one of the U.S. Commonwealth's.

Nader not looking so bad...   March 7th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

Good for them! I think everyone should move up to the earliest possible date. Everone votes on the same day, everyone is as relevant as the next, and in one day we have the candidate. Any reason not to do it that way?

Roz, IL   March 7th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

if it's going to cause the same issues as with FL & MI, please don't.

clarity   March 7th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

Good idea - it'll make room for the Michigan and Florida primary-redo's.

uchujin   March 7th, 2008 3:30 pm ET

Someone please explain why Puerto Rico even gets to count at all. They refuse statehood every time it comes up and yet they receive benefits as though they are American citizens, or am I misinformed? Seems to me they should be thankful they have any vote at all.

After further review,Texas   March 7th, 2008 3:30 pm ET

It gets worse than a bad Woody Allen movie.lol.Lets have them all the same day and get it over with.Its drawn out so big media can make more money.

TomCat   March 7th, 2008 3:25 pm ET

Oh, let me guess HRC made some phone calls. Why the change from a caucuses to a primary? I guess HRC has power all over the world… Canada, Puerto Rica etc.

Tom,des moines   March 7th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

Awesome! let get rid of caucuses and have a primary instead. Go Hillary 08!

California Independent   March 7th, 2008 3:18 pm ET

Yes, they have noticed what a joke caucuses are and have decided to have a primary. Duh.

Darth Vadik, CA   March 7th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Wait a minute, how come Puerto Rico has more delegates than Wyoming, and many US states?

change1   March 7th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

IS BILLARY SCARED OF THE CAUCUS IN PUERTO RICO? I BET THEY ARE INVOLVED IN CHNAGING THE RULES AGAIN. WHEN WILL AMERICA EVER GET THIS? WHEN YOU DON'T ABIDE BY RULES IN A SIMPLE CONTEST AS THE PRIMARIES, HOW CAN YOU ABIDE BY THE CONSTITUTION?–SO MUCH FOR A PRESIDENT. AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, STOP USING YOUR GENDER AND OUR CHILDREN AS A FEAR TACTIC! RUN ON TRANSPARENCY, ETHICS AND CIVILITY. THE WORLD IS WATCHING, BEHAVE!

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