Bill Clinton touts Hillary's experience representing Puerto Ricans

BY DAVID MCFADDEN

Associated Press

BARCELONETA, Puerto Rico -- Hillary Clinton is more qualified than any other candidate to represent Puerto Ricans, said former President Bill Clinton, fighting for the popular vote Monday at a time when his wife is trailing Barack Obama in delegates.

''On the mainland, she represents more Puerto Ricans than anyone who has run for president in a very long time,'' the former president said, referring to Hillary Clinton's role as a New York senator.

''If you vote for her and give her a good margin, she will always honor your support,'' Bill Clinton told a crowd of several hundred people at a university campus in the north-coast city of Barceloneta.

The close race for the Democratic nomination between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Obama, a senator from Illinois, has brought new importance to a territory that traditionally has little say over U.S. national affairs.

The local Democratic Party changed what used to be a caucus to a primary to encourage more voters to participate.

Puerto Rico, which has 63 delegate votes, will hold one of the last primaries -- on June 1 -- followed only by Montana and South Dakota.

Obama currently leads in the delegate count, 1,635-1,501, according to The Associated Press. Because of the way Democrats apportion delegates, Clinton is not likely to catch Obama even if she has a strong showing in the remaining 10 contests.

But some analysts say Clinton's New York ties could strengthen her support here and reduce Obama's lead in the overall popular vote -- possibly improving her case at the Democratic National Convention in August. Puerto Ricans cannot vote in the general presidential election.

Bill Clinton arrived Sunday night for a two-day visit along with two Hispanic lawmakers, New York Rep. Nydia Velazquez and New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez. He planned appearances later Monday at a children's hospital outside the capital, San Juan, and at a restaurant on the southern coast.