Obama's Upcoming Puerto Rico Visit Draws Scrutiny

06/13/2011 08:11 PM
Obama's Upcoming Puerto Rico Visit Draws Scrutiny
By: Josh Robin


President Obama will pay a visit to Puerto Rico Tuesday, forcing some to make the comparison between him and John F. Kennedy, who made a memorable impression on the island. NY1’s Josh Robin filed the following report.

President John F. Kennedy was tall and handsome, but it was Jacqueline Kennedy who really drew Rebecca Palacio's attention.

"Her voice was so sweet and she spoke to me in Spanish, said my name,” said Rebecca Palacios, the granddaughter of Puerto Rico’s former first lady. “And she was so beautiful."

Memories are rushing back to Palacios, granddaughter of Inéz Muñoz Marin.

She was eight when she met the first couple at the governor's mansion, La Fortaleza. The Kennedys were on a Latin American swing to promote ties with the United States during the Cold War.

It's meticulously recorded at the foundation dedicated to her grandmother's husband, Luis Muñoz Marín, the island's first democratically elected governor.

Still, there are many differences between 1961 and today.

For one, Martín and Kennedy were close. No such chemistry exists between President Barack Obama, a Democrat, and the island's Republican governor, Luis Fortuño.

Further, while Kennedy spent the night, Obama will be gone in five hours.

"There was a state dinner, there was a concert, and there was a long time to talk between them,” said Palacios. “But this time, it’s not going to be that way."

The White House is playing up the links to Kennedy, but also stresses talk over economics.

"What’s important is that the president’s visit, while it is historic, exciting and really important, it isn’t the only thing going on,” said Cecilia Muñoz, White House director of intergovernmental affairs.

Still, while Kennedy drew cheers, much of Puerto Rico seems to be collectively shrugging with some protests also expected from those wanting independence.

"Why does Obama come to Puerto Rico? Because he needs a photograph for Orlando, Florida, for New York for the next election,” said Rubén Berríos of the Puerto Rican Independence Party. “He needs to collect money. Whenever you see an American president in Puerto Rico, he's looking for something."

Obama touches down at about 11:00 a.m., after which he has a couple of events, including a Democratic fundraiser. He plans to depart by nightfall.


Source
.