Thursday, July 06, 2006

Black Calderòn

Felipe Calderòn has won a Mexican election that is notable for several of reasons:
1. It wasn't a sham
2. It showed that not all countries south of the border are enamored with Chavezian populist politics
3. It's being challenged by Mexico's own version of Al Gore.
For all of Mexico's problems, starting with 70+ years of PRI rule, they have a great election process. It was transparent, overseen by a neutral group, and certified as fair by international observers. If Andres Manuel López Obrador doesn't move his masses out on the streets and instead respects the results of the election it will be a landmark in the history of the country. It will be a second peaceful election and the PRI's grip on the nation will forever be gone. Their candidate wasn't considered a serious contender and that's a good thing.
As far as the whole Chavez connection that Obrador has, he has blown long and hard about using it. He would mobilize the masses and march on the capital to protest the election and demand the presidency if he felt that it was unfair. That's bullying the system and that's not the kind of President that Mexico needs. They need someone who will continue what Fox started and try to get them out of the mess that they have dug into. Calderòn will do that. By continuing to liberalize their economy, he will get multinational companies to invest more heavily in Mexico, which will help lead to improving conditions in the country. Now if the US will get rid of its tariffs on cement, we'll be in good shape.
Finally, Obrador is Mexico's Al Gore. I think eventually he'll cave (he'll have to - if he marches on the capital, look for Fox to call out the army to keep the peace), it's just a question of how much damage he'll do before he does. If he decides to take the route that is best for his country then he'll cede and life will go on. If he decides to play the tinpot strongman and go that route, then things will get significantly more hairy and that's not good for anybody.

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