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Puerto Rico's place in the primary puzzle

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    Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno weighs in

  • Duration 5:24
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It was Mitt Romney who secured the endorsement of the State's governor Luis -- to Kenya.

The governor joins us now live from San Juan Puerto Rico on a very busy day.

But I think you so much for your time I understand you've been out to vote what he's -- at the polls today.

Well let me tell you there's our excitement out mayor just came back as you mentioned from voting.

We already hearing stories from some of polling places that we have run out of -- for actually does a lot of new voters are coming to the polls.

We have being lamenting.

Pro growth conservative values in -- -- the last three years and actually unemployment has come down from 17% to 15%.

-- we have lower taxes we have shrink the size of garment and now we -- -- right where -- process exec these same values -- governor Romney has espousing his campaign.

And you say you have said that -- you have great respect for all of those who are currently running for the GOP nomination had a friendship with Rick Santorum.

He did -- -- in the view of the Puerto Rican people when he was a senator noting many times that Puerto -- didn't have a voice in the US senate he thought that was important but ultimately.

What -- you in favor a former governor Romney.

But -- tell you ask you were mentioning indeed he was actually helpful when he was in the senate and we appreciate that.

And it that all four candidates actually.

Are fine -- -- they I actually have served the country in different ways so we're thankful for their service.

Having said that however -- election is on leadership.

This election is out -- electing the person.

That will provide not just that leadership -- we'll have the experience and we'll bring it to the White House to create jobs and to secure the border and to secure our nation.

And I believe dot governor Romney is -- best qualify for -- job.

And -- about the fact that we need to win folks think about securing the border and most often the average American thinks about the southern border that we share with Mexico but you say -- issues in the Caribbean as well.

Yes indeed actually as you were mentioning.

Most people in the mainland believe that when you talk about securing the -- just talking about Mexico our border with Mexico -- -- southwest.

Well America's Caribbean borders Puerto Rico.

And it must -- security and it in the -- -- -- not doing enough to secure to border actually if I may just -- you just close your front door.

I left the back door open makes no sense and he's it is a national security should that has to be addressed it shortly.

-- ask you about mavericks intimately touched on briefly the fact you do share French he did stir up some controversy and it.

Puerto Rico this week talking about the predominance of the English language he feels that for or an entity pursuing a statement that would be an important.

Thing to focus on.

Do you think that he is comments were an anyway misconstrued as some in -- campaign now say I.

Well if I may clarify.

Uncertain that was not they -- when he provided adding to read to it local newspaper.

Having said that however.

For the more than a century.

Both English and Spanish have been official language to support -- request you know.

That is a right that -- reserved to states that's a states rights and we believe that's strongly that he should remain that way.

As a father of -- however I must tell you that most parents here want.

-- we want our children.

To be fully bilingual to speak perfect English because it's a language of opportunity but at the same time we -- proud of our heritage are we wanted to serve special swell.

And there's no contradict shuttle actually I believe it in -- Our culture the same time.

It provides opportunities.

Not just for jobs but opportunities and I live for free trade -- the region.

We certainly want to pursue that finally I must say that over 2000.

Coming of over 200000.

Of our men and women have served in the armed forces.

-- as we became citizens we're proud of their service.

At and know when asked them ever if they were fully bilingual are not I want them to be fully bilingual but we are proud of their service and many of them.

Actually made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

In November you look ahead to -- -- or vote there where other people Puerto Rico decide if they -- formally pursue the next steps in becoming.

US states.

Are you confident that we'll move Ford in the direction of -- and and beyond that vote what do you think the opportunities and chances are.

But it is going to be a process.

But I am confident going deep.

Our -- Will pursue that routes we just makes sense we have been part of the United States since 1898.

Natural born citizens since 1917.

As I mentioned earlier our men and women have actually have serving greater numbers than most states since then.

And -- night I only believe that it's it's the right thing to do.

And a -- first century to allow almost four million American citizens to express our will.

And then to work with the White House and congress and hopefully prescient Rodney -- -- addressed this issue.

Well as you mentioned the turnout today and and the need for additional paperwork about -- so many people are showing at a it's hit a great example all of America.

That people can't even vote in the general election be so motivated to get out -- have their voices heard today.

Governor we know it's -- busy -- -- thanks for taking a break for us we appreciate it.

Well thank you Shannon good day.

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