Gordon Ackley, chairman of the Republican Pary’s US Virgin Islands branch, criticized a post by the Republican National Committee that criticized President Joe Biden for his holiday message. While Ackley is no fan of Biden, he took issue with the wording of the RNC’s post, saying it went too far.
The Post
“Biden, from a beachfront mansion in the Virgin Islands,” the RNC wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “says his hope for the new year is that people ‘understand’ the United States is ‘coming back.’”
The Issue
Ackley said he was “disappointed” by this post. His issue was the implication that the US Virgin Islands is a foreign territory, when in fact it is an unincorporated territory in the US.
Ackley’s Response
“There are a lot of things that are fair game to go after Biden,” Ackley said in response to the RNC’s post. “As a member of the RNC I’m disappointed in this X post by RNC staff insinuating that the Virgin Islands — and American territory — isn’t part of the United States.”
US Territory
While the US Virgin Islands does not have a voting member of Congress, it does elect a delegate who can observe and participate in Congressional debates. Since 1972, the first delegate election, the territory has chosen a Democrat 23 times, a Republican once, and an Independent once.
Ackley’s Defeat
Democrat Stacey Plaskett currently represents the territory. Plaskett resoundingly defeated Ackley in 2016, winning over 98% of the vote.
New State
The US Virgin Islands is just one of many territories and districts that are part of the US but lack full representation in Congress. Residents of the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, for example, have both expressed support for becoming full states.
The Islands
In 1993, The US Virgin Islands held a referendum on its status. Though around 82% voted to remain a territory, low turnout meant the result was not legally binding.
Beachfront Paradise
Republicans heavily criticized Biden for his New Year’s trip to St. Croix, one of the islands in the territory. Critics called the president “Beachfront Biden,” arguing that he should not have gone on vacation while the border crisis continued.
Dodgy Connections
The Bidens stayed at a home in St. Croix that is owned by Bill and Connie Neville, who are Democratic donors. Biden has also stayed at a donor-owned complex in Martha’s Vineyard twice.
Perspective
According to an analysis by the Washington Post, Biden and Trump both spent 250 of their first 853 days as president away either on vacation or at their own properties. However, while Biden spent about 10% of those vacation days at locations owned by wealthy allies, Trump spent practically all of his 250 days at properties he owned.
Presidential Comparison
Not only did the former president financially benefit from these stays at Trump commercial properties, the Washington Post analysis explains, it allowed him to network with wealthy customers. “Trump’s trips out of the White House,” wrote Philip Bump, “were generally to places where his presence was a direct asset to his business and therefore his personal income.”
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