Posted on 11/08/2015 11:41:57 AM PST by GIdget2004
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson endorsed statehood for Puerto Rico at a Sunday campaign event on the island.
"In a Carson administration, I will leave no stone unturned in my efforts to secure this important step in Puerto Rico's history -- establishing Estado 51," said the retired neurosurgeon, highlighting the strategic benefits of the Caribbean island's location relative to the United States mainland.  Amid mounting scrutiny recently over his past, Carson traveled to the island territory to address a statehood advocacy group convention. The campaign estimated that 3,500 people were attended the New Progressive Party rally, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel.
"Mis hermanos Americanos, my campaign is built around the premise of 'We the People,' and through such lens, I view the statehood question in Puerto Rico as settled," Carson said, referring to a 2012 referendum in which a majority of island voters backed making Puerto Rico the 51st state.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Uh, some of us on FR do care about the issue of Puerto Rico statehood. Why? Practical politics.
Should Puerto Rico become a state, the Democratic Party will gain a seat or two in the House, and two more America-hating Democratics in the Senate. Probably permanently. Worse still, Puerto Rico would gain 3 - 5 electoral college votes in presidential elections. This would be reliably Democratic, thus making it even harder for a conservative to win the White House.
Any Republican who supports this needs to go away. Forever.
Yup. Loony.
I agree if PR is bundled with NYC - Free Upstate!
Uh, uh, I think it’s more like 75% of the entire island lives off the backs of the US tax payers.
There’s just something grossly lazy about island life.
These are *NOT* motivated folk.
What is to detest about Ben Carson?
They’ll get a couple more permanent Democrat senators. Oh yes, that’s a great idea.
See my post 61.
Anyone who supports statehood for Puerto Rico is politically strengthening and overtly advancing the Democrat Party.
That makes him my enemy.
And I really really DETEST my enemies.
Is his 5 minutes up yet?
This and the TPP does it for me on Carson. I thought he might have a chance but as time goes by he just does not have it IMHO. That just leaves Trump and Cruz. Anyone else is an establishment Karl Rove hack.
“Leftist media hit piece”
Not if it’s true.
We have to get over this complex that every single thing ever published is a lie meant to make conservatives look bad. It hurts our ability to fight back against the genuine bias in the news.
Did Carson say this? If so, then he’s entirely responsible for the consequences.
Would make the electoral map even harder for Republicans.
Oh my bad. I thought he said the pyramids are actually in Puerto Rico.
That’s ok, he’s black.
“Amnesty and this should be enough to dissuade most people.”
I AGREE. We already have 30 MILLION illegals...why do we need to legalize another 5 MILLION?
I agree with you.....but it’s hardly an election issue.
“This living off the American taxpayer free of charge has gotten damn old.”
If made the 51st State, most of them would still be on Welfare, and the new State of Puerto Rico would have 2 Dem Senators forever. Statehood for PR is a bad idea.
“I can only conclude that for a very long time someone invisible to us has been molding Dr. Carson’s narrative.”
Yeah, his own imagination.
Is Carson so naive he does not realize there are zero votes from PR?
Yeah, talk about a non issue. He must have been influenced by certain factions that this was important. But seems like shooting himself in the foot - which maybe is what he wants to do? To let the air out of his campaign.
Freepers need to let this know nothing go! He’s stupid in conservative politics. He’ll hurt the country.
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