Following a herd of Republican Party support throughout the nation, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres has endorsed Republican presidential candidate and firebrand Donald Trump for the presidency, calling Trump the only remaining candidate who has laid out a \u201cgenuine plan\u201d for the U.S. territories and commonwealths.<\/p>\n
In a statement yesterday, Torres explains. \u201cFor more than a year, Republican leaders from all the territories have discussed how best to approach the Republican Party Presidential election in 2016. The decision made at the time was to coalesce around the candidate that put forward the best and most realistic plan for the territories and commonwealths. For too many years we have been courted for our votes in the primary season but forgotten in the general election.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe CNMI has had visits from four different Presidential Campaigns over the past year. At the time, only Dr. Ben Carson [former presidential candidate] had put together a plan which acknowledged that we have been ignored and suffer inequalities,\u201d Torres said. \u201cCarson pledged to appoint a special assistant in the White House directly responsible for the territories and commonwealths. This person would complement the office of Insular Affairs and their core function. Additionally, Carson would appoint a Territory and Commonwealth Advisory Council that would include representatives from each Territory and Commonwealth. This council would identify federal inconsistencies with regard to our islands and put together a package of proposals to correct them.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Carson unfortunately suspended his campaign and endorsed Donald Trump a few days ago. At this point, I was made aware that Donald Trump not only supported Dr. Carson\u2019s plan for the territories and commonwealth\u2014he adopted it!<\/p>\n
Torres said he has heard \u201cnothing\u201d from any of the other candidates running for President.<\/p>\n
\u201cI made a decision to support the candidate who genuinely put forward a plan to help all the territories and commonwealths,\u201d he said. \u201cOn Saturday and in my personal capacity, I endorsed Donald Trump as the Republican candidate for President.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the same token, I extend my congratulations to the CNMI Democratic Party for holding a successful and peaceful caucus Saturday evening,\u201d Torres added. \u201cBecause we may prefer different candidates, I encourage that we respect each other\u2019s rightful decisions and refrain from negative attacks on one another.\u201d<\/p>\n
The endorsement, which broke on Twitter Saturday afternoon, drew cries of disbelief from young CNMI voters in the mainland and on island embarrassed by the NMI leader\u2019s support of a candidate they believe was an open bigot to races and people like themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Torres] endorses hate for his own people,\u201d young voter Lee Roy Sablan Jr. told Saipan Tribune, after local GOP director Jason Osborne shared the news on Twitter Saturday. \u201cTrump is a racist and bully and anyone who endorses him might as well as be saying they are racists and bullies too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI never got a chance to vote in the last election,\u201d said Sablan, but \u201ceven then I thought that it was difficult to choose [late governor Eloy] Inos because he was running with Torres. After hearing this endorsement, I do not think that any responsible young voter would choose a person like this to lead our islands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some young people like Genevieve Dela Cruz, reacted with disbelief and took to Torres\u2019 Facebook page to demand an explanation.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease say this is a mistake,\u201d wrote Dela Cruz on Torres\u2019 Facebook page. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are being represented in a way that supports making fun of people with disabilities, hating Muslims and Mexicans, making derogatory remarks toward women, turning a blind eye to violence in the name of winning, white supremacy, and so many more terrible things,\u201d she added. \u201cWe barely get a say in this and the only part where we do get to choose and that\u2019s what was chosen for us by you? No way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Still, young voter and recent college graduate Vinnie Orsini says Torres \u201cis on the wrong side of history.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDonald Trump divides people, he builds walls against people and against different parts of the community. And if there is anything this country is about, it\u2019s about unifying people,\u201d Orsini said. \u201cI think for the majority of Americans and for the younger generation of Americans, I think we are leaning toward a democratic society. If there is anything that we need in the Marianas, it\u2019s progress and change.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDonald Trump represents the 1 percent and represents what is worst about America,\u201d Orsini added.<\/p>\n
Asked if he thought Trump could tell the difference between a Chamorro or Mexican, one local Democrat, Ajani Burrell said, \u201cProbably not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough to be fair lots of people probably couldn\u2019t,\u201d Burrell added. \u201cThey just mostly have to be voting for Donald Trump.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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