Puerto Rico problem for Obama

Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008 6:58 PM by Chuck Todd

From NBC's Chuck Todd
The Obama campaign's hopes of winning the 6/1 Puerto Rico primary might have been dealt a serious blow with this news, as reported by the New York Times: "Aníbal S. Acevedo Vilá, the governor of Puerto Rico, has been charged with 19 criminal counts related to the financing of three political campaigns from 1999 to 2004, including conspiracy to violate federal campaign laws, wire fraud and illegally using campaign funds for his personal use, according to a federal indictment unsealed on Thursday."

Obama was endorsed by Acevedo Vila last month.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Why would this be Obama's problem? Are you insinutating that the probles of Acevedo Vilá directly relate to a campaign of Obama's? If not...Cut the crap Chuck. When you start reporting on the fraud that is Paul or the contributions of Hsu to Clinton then you can stir the pot where Obama is concerned whose taken a dumping on by you and your colleagues that is disgraceful to no end.

I'm so sick of these tactics.

Anya M., Denver, CO (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:50 PM)

More of Obama's shady friends.

Obama's friend, mentor and pastor, Rev. Wright seems to hate everyone except blacks. In his article that surfaced he called Italians,
"Garlic Noses"

How Obama could sit in this racist, anti american, hate filled church for 20 years andlisten to this man is beyond understanding.

Michelle Obama says that America is mean, and she has never been proud to be an American untill her hubby ran for president.

White Americans, Jewish Americans, Italian Americans
and all Americans who love their country;

VOTE FOR HILLARY CLINTON, sheloves America and is proud to be one.

John Doe (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:52 PM)

and why is this added as another headline again? you already had this post earlier, so why are you doing this again Chuck? please say it ain't so....
and what is wrong with FR postings, they are taking forever to load and then only about half make it. I don't mind mine not being loaded, I write them to reduce steam coming out of my ears, not for you guys, but I notice many posts are NO COMMENTS for hours...just wondering that you might need an updated system.

LB, Virginia (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:56 PM)

why is it bad news for BO he didn't do anything wrong. Is Bo goning to have to be held responsible for every person he knows or that has endorsed him. I am really tired of BO being cut by things out of his control

Carmen (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:58 PM)

And why would that hurt him? Was the governor the only person allowed to vote? This may or may not have any impact at all, we don't know. Now, can we get back to the REAL issues, please?

Red, San Jose, CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:59 PM)

Cool! Another chance for me to harp at MSNBC that they STILL haven't added Puerto Rico (June 1 to help you out) to their little primary chart in the upper right hand corner of this page. Suspicious, eh?

As to Obama and Puerto Rico, Hillary will take it in a landslide. Here's why:

(63 delegates including the supers) Recently, PR changed from caucus to open primary because officials there, watching the US mainland, knew turnout would be humongous and primaries logistically accomodate more voters. And Puerto Ricans are waaaay BIG on voting. If just 1 million of the 4 million Hispanic population show up for their exciting
first ever primary, isn't it more than likely that Hillary Clinton will take not only most of the
delegates but most of the popular vote? Don't forget the rather large Puerto Rican population in
a state she won handily: NEW YORK.

Puerto Rico will close the popular vote gap giving the superdelegates a new headache.

GO HILLARY! DON'T GIVE UP!

Margaret, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 8:20 PM)

Two peas in the pod. Both are snakes. Unfortunately for any other candidate it may be too late. Looks like the Dems may be stuck with that racist liberal.

McCain 08

MLV (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 8:21 PM)

Once again,I urge ALL Americans to Discard the lying propagandists that have hi-jacked the political machine.None of the current candidates are telling the truth.They are all in debt to lobbyists and Haliburton.When the average American citizen has less power than Wall Street,how long before Debtors Prisons are a reality?When the government will "bail out" Bear and Stearns to the tune of $29 BILLION dollars,while raping our 401K's,maybe it's time to stop and take a breath.Reject the derisive politics of hate,and write in Joe Biden,or John Edwards for President.If any of the "Final Three" are elected,I fear for the safety of our country.Please Think!!!!!Dr.Martin Luther King,and Robert F.Kennedy would reject the hateful demegogary that so permeates our present political environment.Stand up to Pelosi,McCain,Obama,and Clinton,and DEMAND a return to American values.If you do not love America,and all that dwell within her shores,LEAVE!!!!We no longer will accept the hidden politics of Profit above humanitarianism.Stop the bleeding,or our country is at the mercy of the fringe elements that threaten the very foundations of Freedom.Save us from tyranny,or perish through our own blind need for gain at the expense of our constitutional freedoms.Wake up,or die!!!!!!!

docrock,tx (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 8:26 PM)

What's so new about this news? Obama seems to gravitate toward people of this nature. Resko rings one bell? His rise to his seat in Illinois is only one example of his decision-making?

Rosemary Storaska (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 8:27 PM)

Sounds similar to Obama and Rezko. Of coure this guy endorsed Obama. Bird of a feather flock together.

tom b, st.cloud mn (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 8:30 PM)

I thought you guys had given Puerto Rico to HRC, since it was hispanic... poor taste reporting... From my understanding several people in PA were charged as well, some from what I heard were supporters of HRC. get it right

Mrs. C. PA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 8:33 PM)

Oh please, who cares.

I'm surprised you guys are connecting this to try to make sensational news -- how Fox-like. They will probably try to imply that Obama should have known what no one else knew to create a smear-by-association.

C'mon guys, you were doing so much better earlier today reporting on issues of importance.

Amy, TX (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 8:33 PM)

Well, there goes a superdelegate!!
Another one bites the dust.
Hillary lost Spitzer, now obama lost Aníbal Acevedo Vilá.
Puerto Rico is for Hillary Clinton anyway.

Hillary/Edwards 08

Sd (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 8:33 PM)

I'm not so sure. I think the gov. remains popular on the island. Many there see his troubles as politically-motivated hit jobs from the Bush White House and State Dept. given he has been a vocal critic of their dealings with the Puerto Rican independence movement.

More Axe, Atlanta, GA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 8:39 PM)

While Gov. Acevedo V. is in trouble, he is not the only person on the island who supports Obama. Acevedo's predecessor also left under a serious cloud. I used to live in Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans are a Caribbean people. Almost every one has an ancestor from Africa. Many either look like Obama or have a relative who does. Puerto Ricans will consider the issues and Obama will do fine.

Lia (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:11 PM)

Right on time. Just another example of why obama should not be president. Here he is right between a trial in Chicago and a trail in PR. Sitting next to his racist pastor.

Dennis Smith, Tampa Florida (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:12 PM)

McClinton's probably singing in there boots..
More dirt to sling....
What's next? Body parts found under tree with addresses to Election Central...??
Really believe everything in the papers...because their free...

BJ, CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:14 PM)

why do we hold candidates accountable for all the actions of those who have endorsed them? Aren't we all grownups and accountable for our own actions?

Deb, Dallas, TX (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:15 PM)

Hillary needs to stay in until the last primary or caucus is finished and to Denver, if the delegates to Michigan and Florida are handed out before August. Make every American vote count! We know how hard the democratic party want Obama to be President, well I have news for you that if it is between Obama and McCain, the democratic party with their token boy will all be crying home!

jp,michigan (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:31 PM)

BO does not have good friends does he? Look at Deval Patrick of MA, he went into hiding (went on personal business to NY) the day his most important plan (Casinos- how singular!) was to be voted on in MA and he knew he was going to lose. Deval also ran on "politics as usual" agenda but guess what - he is learning the hard way that governments are run by politicians.

mm,ma (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:42 PM)

I don't understand the people that still in favor of B.Obama. There is too much negative stuff that somehow gets to soround him. I think he is not at transparent as he portrays himself. Not until Obama cam proof that he is far from people like his pastor, the P.R. governor, that guy being charged in Chicago....I feel I can't trust him.

Carmen, Stamford, CT (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:43 PM)

Ah so what. I think voters are smart enough to know that the governor was the one indicted; not Obama. But it would give you guys more to perpetuate the drama of this "race," wouldn't it Chuck? Quit over-reporting Hillary's chances; you know very well that her campaign is in its last throes and she has no serious chance of winning. Put her on the Huckabee express. Sorry to get off subject!

Stacie, Tulsa, OK (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:51 PM)

Yep, it's all over for Obama now. Acevedo was the only guy in all of Puerto Rico voting for him, and now he's been indicted. Our hopes are dashed!!

emily, austin tx (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:51 PM)

Uh this may sound stupid, but when did Puerto Rico become a 51st state? And do I have to change my American flag with the additional star?

Kelvin Waters, Tampa FL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:51 PM)

This is great reporting....I really understand how Obama may now lose Puerto Rico. Keep up the good work. I find myself reading Politico much more in the last few days....

Carl, Evanston, IL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:52 PM)

Too bad nobody at the Obama campaign bothered to spend 5 minutes doing a little research before hooking up with the widely-disliked governor. A quick poll check would have told them that most of the island does not like or approve of the job the governor has been doing. I support Obama, but I am not impressed so far with how his campaign has addressed the multiplicity of Latino/Hispanic issues at work in our country.

Alejandra, San Francisco, CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:09 PM)

HAHAHA.... this is great....

What's funnier is that Obama never had a chance to win Puerto Rico anyway, despite the felon governor's endorsement

Obama's got SERIOUS PROBLEMS with Hispanics, Jews, ethnic white males, and older white females....

Does this mean Obama will lose a superdelegate?

Jack (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:10 PM)

why is this bad news for Obama, last week the media said Puerto Rico would support Hillary. ok the guy was a SD who supported Obama. if he's thrown out thats one less delegate- so what, he's one short but over 100 ahead. why is this headline even news worthy? (PUERTO RICO PROBLEM FOR OBAMA)

tom corncountry IL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:11 PM)

Hey Chuck, why the problem for Obama? An endorsement gone bad makes for problems? What did I miss

Mary, Maryville, TN (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:19 PM)

What does this have to do with Obama? He was endorsed by the Gov., the people of Puerto Rico still have to vote. Puerto Ricans will vote for Obama.

sozzi, mamaroneck, ny (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:24 PM)

this seems to be clearly the governor's problem and not sen. obama's. once again, the media "mis-applies" responsibility to obama when it belongs with someone else.

Jane Doe (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:25 PM)

his superdelegate vote will be replaced with another crooks.How come all the congress people that voted for the war are endorsing Obama?Don't they know how he constantly berates Hillary for her vote?what makes their vote so different?

nobama (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:31 PM)

It is worse than this blip suggests!

If you listened to Newt Gingrich speaking to the Enterprise Institute today on C-Span2 you would probably give up on the Dems period. He really made sense for this wavering Dem.

After Obama, I don't trust the Dem. party! Dean and Pelosie are getting nuttier every day, and Obama is a walking, talking, ticking disaster for America!

He doesn't have the guts or the integrity to disassociate himself from an inflamatory white hate slinging black liberation pastor/mentor or a black liberation church. And, he thinks he can be president of the USA.

Obama is not electable!

Hillary or McCain 08 :)

aware (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:33 PM)

Acevedo Vila, Rev. Wright - Obama's judgment and background are far too questionable to be President of the UNITED States. He needs to get some new friends and mentors/advisors!

Molly (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:42 PM)

Why does MSNBC try to connect a negative for a supporter to the candidate? This is no problem for Obama, it's a problem for Acevedo Vila. You news "talking heads" are some of the most biased, supposedly-neutral, elements of the campaigns. Stay out of it with your opinons and just report what you dig up. This race is too important for America to have you guys playing "head games" with the American people. Stop tryng to shape opnions.

John F., Orlando, Florida (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:52 PM)

Chuck, why is this a problem for Obama and Eliot Spitzer was NOT a problem for Hillary Clinton? Not to mention Hsu. The media is a dangerous element in this Presidential election. But it's o.k. The point that the media and the pundits do not get is that if this process is tainted in any way, "The Clintons" will not get the nomination without the entire African-American vote. Your polls are a joke, so please stop speaking for me, and the people I speak to. It is quite clear to us that "The Clintons" are so small minded and power hungry that they will destroy the entire Democratic party. When they attack Obama, they attack us, personally. People are not as simple as you all think. MONEY, will not, can not, buy this election. Glad she's going to the convention, as stated on, of all places, Fox News.....................

Another Member Of The Human Race (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:54 PM)

Can someone please tell me just what in the hell does the governors woes have to do with Obama not winning P.R.? Everyone seems so hell bent on trying every way possible to attach scandal to Obama. It appears there's a media conspiracy along with some heavy hitters pulling out all the dirty tricks they can trying to keep this "Black Man" out of America's "White House". And I love whites as I do blacks and all others. That's what makes this hurt so much.

Sick and Tired (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:59 PM)

And? Does that mean that there is no one else in Puerto Rico that will endorse Obama or are they going to try to pin this guy's misdeads on Obama like they did with crazy old Reverend Wright? Why is the news media always trying to make someone else's scandals into Obama's problem?

Kate G (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:00 PM)

Wait a minute! How can the voice of the people in Puerto Rico be overshadowed by a corrupt leader? So, the guy endorsed Obama, but who has control over what other people do? Not Obama, not you, not me, and not the people in Puerto Rico. All the more reason for Puerto Ricans to vote for a candidate with integrity, grace, vision and ethics!

The only serious blow I see here is yet another stupid media story trying to sensationalize the news and drawing far reaching parallels for its own gain. And an insult to the citizens of Puerto Rico. AS IF what their governor did is any reflection on them!

Together, Yes We CAN! OBAMA 2008!!!!

PJ, San Diego, CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:10 PM)

MSNBC and First Read are Obama supporters. Just what makes this first-term Sen. so special? He's come this far on the strength of 90% black vote, not any ingenious game plan. Obama has no experience and lacks passion for issues. Obama's only asset is that he can give a speech. He's never done anything.

Who would I "rather drink a beer with?", Obama or McCain? Answer: McCain.

Who would I "rather have on TV in my living room over the next four years?", Obama or McCain? Answer: McCain.

Dirk, Brunswick, Georgia (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:17 PM)

Another crony of Obama's goes down due to campaign fraud. Wright's $10 million line of credit for his 10000 square feet house is probably connected to Obama's campaign finance , with Rezko, I'll bet.

Obamadefector, MA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:29 PM)

So, I suppose that of all the super delegates that Obama has if they all end up in some criminal situation he would be in trouble. Whatever, until he is stripped of this super delegate title he will still have that super delegate count...as for the primary...most have placed PR in Clinton's court before this news even broke...nice try, but this guys problems are not Obamas!

Voting in 2008, ATL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:32 PM)

YAH I KNEW ITT OBAbmA"S SUPPORTRES R ALL CIRMINALS> I ALREDY KNEW THIS SO I AM GLAD THAT IT IS TRUE! GO HILARY!!! YOU CAN WIN IT! YOU ARE GONG TO GO ALL THE WAY! YES SHE CAN!

HILLARY SUPPORTER (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:56 PM)

WHat does this have to do with Obama.

This is like saying that Spizer's call-girls are related to Hillary's campaign.

Knok these silly headlines off MSNBC!

Grant Myron, Chicago, IL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:58 PM)

It's amazing to me how Obama is constantly being endorsed, honored by, and yet closely associated with corrupt and highly questionable people. Here again he was being funded by another corrupt individual. I guess Resko, the PLO, Bill Richardson, Rev Wright were not enough to get him kick'd to the curb.

The fact that he has earmarks for the hospital where Michelle works is not enough. The fact that Michelle is on the board of WALMART, that is suing a braindamaged woman to recover their medical costs, and Michelle does nothing, all the while the Obama's talk about caring for us "poor people" is still not enough to kick him to the curb. Are Americans this heartless?
How much are the Obama supporters willing to look the other way at all the corruption underneath his feet? Will you look away when he undermines our national security and endangers our country, double dealing with terrorists? How much will he passively sympathize with terrorist leaders, like his pastor, then lecture America on our ugly racist ways?
"Is this the change that our country needs, or do we having it coming to us?"

Vote for Hillary or may god have mercy on us.

Jane Doe, BayShore, NY (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:59 PM)

But PuertoRico also moved up the date of its was a caucus, is now a primary very recently too. Was someone courting him to switch his vote and ...

kravitz (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:02 AM)

Vila is one bad apple, but he is not running for president. The people of Puerto Rico are not stupid.They know Obama is a good man and will make a good leader, they will support Obama because he brings change that the people are craving for.

Linda Cino buffalo New York (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:09 AM)

I don't think a bad endorsement will effect Obama unless it's unbearably bad.

Tim Durocher, Ypsilanti, MI (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:38 AM)

Why does the Media only cover incidents that do not really affect Senator Obama, but the Media covers all incidents that may hurt Senator Clinton?

How does it really hurt Senator Obama that Aníbal S. Acevedo Vilá, the governor of Puerto Rico, has been charged with 19 criminal counts?

But, the Media keeps pushing that she mis-spoke about the sniper fire incident. OK.

Why does the Media not keep on mentioning the incident where Senator Obama said he spoke to a Captain about his platoon going to Iraq?

The fact is that Senator Obama never spoke to that Captain. And, a captain does not lead a platoon, but a lieutenant does. In fact, Senator McCain (yes - McCain) knows this story best. Senator Obama made the whole thing up.

What about Senator Obama saying that he had passed legislation about the nuclear waste in the city of Chicago? Check into it like the LA Times did! That legislation never passed the way Senator Obama said! It passed the Republican way and it left all the discretion to the nuclear waste companies it was supposed to control!

Why does the Media not cover this? Is the Media afraid to be accused of being racist?

Edward Mora (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 1:33 AM)

Why does Obama keep getting the rap for other people's faults? Just because someone who likes him says or does something stupid does mean that he would do likewise. Since when did it become fair to condemn a person for someone else's actions? He clearly doesn't share these ideas, so why do people go after him instead of the source? If he says or does something stupid, then chastise him; but if someone who likes him says or does something stupid, then chastise that person.

Emma, Baltimore, MD (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 2:39 AM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=830256