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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



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.


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So how is this connected to Sen. Obama?  
Gee Chuck it seems you are going all over the country to get something on Barack Obama. Any little thing you can print to get him in trouble seems to satisfy you.
You want to keep this bashing going so your face shows up on TV
I wonder if Rezko donated to this guy. Obama has some real bad judgement. Maybe the governor of Puerto Rico along with Rezko helped pay for pastor Wrights $1.6 million dollar home. This is a disgrace!!!!!
So how is this a blow to the Obama campaign? Yet another attempt by the press to condemn Obama simply because someone who endorsed him has been charged with a crime! How is Obama responsible for the actions of others?? Puhleease!!
If you follow this logic, then Clinton won't win New York in November because Spitzer supported her.  Why is it that these ridiculous rules the media makes up applies to Obama and not Clinton?  You can't find anything to attack the man about so you have to dig dppe - it is desperate.  If the media would stop manipulating this process so that they have can keep their ratings and income up, we would have a presumptive nominee by now - Barack Obama.
I don't think this endorsement will hurt Obama in the long run. He has been challenged all through out this campaign and nothing seems to stick.
If there was any money donated to his campaing however, I think it would be in Obama's best interest to give it back and distance himself from Vila.
This campaign is true strong and I look forward to August when Hillary finally realizes that she’s lost.
The Obama campaign might have been dealt a serious blow because someone who supported him is in trouble?!?  How crazy.  That would be like saying Hillary was dealt a "serious blow" because her supporter, Eliot Spitzer, was soliciting prostitutes.
Come on do we really think this will deal him a blow? Because of the guilty by association act? Come on are we forgetting something? Spencer? He backed Clinton but i didnt blame her for his antics. She would have nothing to do with a prostitute; Bill on the other hand is a different story.
Well this really doesn't have a thing to do with Obama, but I guess more people will read the article if you put Obama's name in the headline.
SO WHAT!!!! HILLARY WAS ENDORSED BY BY A LYING CHEAT...AND I DON'T MEAN BILL CLINTON, EITHER!
just another shady obama supporter, wake up people
I really don't see that as a problem for Obama. It's really a problem for Puerto Rico.  It's another part of the "throw the sink at Obama" campaign and the press goes for this a lot...it's great for ratings. =-)

President Clinton was impeached and lied to Congress, but he's a superdelegate supporting Clinton. Should she be penalized for that? Nope.

I feel as though he is increasingly being judged for other people's actions and statements.
Just my 2 cents...
Why is it that PR is being lumped in with the rest of the Hispanic population?  A very different type of people than those from mainland hispanics with a much different lineage (much more similar to USVI, though more proud, which Obama already overwhelmingly won.)  Keep pounding that they are mainstream hispanics and you will seal a win for Obama by a wide margin. That's right, keep pounding.
That's his problem not Obama's.  He's one vote, the rest of Puerto Rico's voters will help Senator Obama on to the nomination.  
Minutia? Please! If this is a "serious blow" there is no hope!!!
The recent little McCain meeting in Texas with Rove & Co. might demand more serious scrutiny. Has it occurred to anyone - anyone? - that Rove is involved in the McCain campaign? And in 2000 - Florida was rigged. And in 2004 - Ohio was rigged (but swept under the carpet with submissive complicity of the Democrats). And now in 2008 these boys are looking at electoral college numbers in a McCain/Clinton contest vs a McCain/Obama contest? - determining which state must be rigged in 2008? (Is Clinton involved in the jury-rigging? Does that account for her blatant support of McCain?)
If a Woodward/Bernstein investigation of Rove were done, to truly get to the bottom of Rove's activities, there would be a much bigger story than Watergate.
Electoral College - There's your big story!
Another one comes out of the closet...Obama may have stuffed his closet with skeletons, but eventually it will overflow.


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