Anonymous - 12-10-2003 at 09:59 PM
http://www.mexidata.info/id103.html
December 8, 2003
By Carlos Luken
After nearly 15 years of political domination, internal differences within the ruling National Action Party (PAN) in Baja California, Mexico, have
created weaknesses that could cause its superiority at the polls to be lost in the near future.
Ever since Ernesto Ruffo won the 1989 gubernatorial race, the PAN has kept the governorship, winning it again in 1995 and 2001. As well, it has since
captured most mayoralties, state legislature seats and federal posts decided by a majority of the electorate.
But after three administration?s worth of political appointments, pacts and requisite negotiations, some PAN members now believe that the party?s
ideology has been compromised. Moreover, they feel that they have been snubbed and neglected by the current party political machine?s own interests.
Beginning with an amalgamated party that had near total commitment from delegates and virtually uncontested internal elections, the incumbent PAN has
changed into a common political institution where fractional groups challenge each other for internal supremacy, government positions and political
benefits. As a result of the frictions and fractures, many Baja California constituents openly wonder if the PAN has become a party that is more
interested in its own corporate interests than its electoral mandate?
During a series of recent party assemblies, as the state prepares for its 2004 midterm elections, grass root organizations were occupied by party
elements siding with Governor Eugenio Elorduy. As such, power positions were won in spite of internal opposition by a strange fusion of loyal party
conservatives (who fear the governor?s machinations could lead to a monolithic like structure reminiscent of the PRI), joined by a group of
disenfranchised recruits who see the governor and his organization as obstructions to a party structure in line with their thoughts and ideals.
Sympathizers of the former mayors of Mexicali and Tijuana, Victor Hermosillo and Francisco Vega respectively, as well as Ruffo supporters, have
independently coincided in their efforts to back alternate candidates vis-?-vis those proposed by Elorduy?s machine. As such, they hope to win over
enough delegates to carry January?s local conventions for more universally acceptable candidates for mayoral seats, municipal councils and the state
legislature.
As a result of the challenge, and almost a month before party conventions, most aspiring candidates have already mounted costly and much criticized
advertising campaigns, activities that traditionally start after the party elections of official candidates. The division was also evident in recent
congressional candidate conventions, that were won by slim margins and that in some cases revealed a near 50/50 split between factions.
As the fissures become more noticeable, traditionally feeble opposition parties smell blood. And they are taking steps to form and assure coalition
candidacies against the future PAN candidates. Small parties like Democratic Convergence and the Labor Party have accepted the invitation of the local
State of Baja California Party, and they have joined into a statewide electoral option. As well, said parties have selected a number of well-known
local community leaders as their candidates.
Baja California?s often trampled and bankrupt Institutional Revolutionary Party, the PRI, has initiated a valid makeover effort by announcing a
departure from its traditional party methods. Supposedly the PRI is trying to encourage successful businessmen and community leaders, whose
reputations will help to cleanse the party?s image and whose money will aid campaign funding, to be its candidates. Remarkably, PRI state officials
have also expressed interest in possible alliances. In analyzing those possibilities, party officials are already meeting with potential coalition
partners.
The emerging Mexican Ecological Green Party has also indicated a willingness to consider joining in a coalition, while the leftist Democratic
Revolution Party (PRD) has shunned any such alliance possibilities.
In the past the PAN has proven to be a formidable rival in the state, with components that include highly motivated Elorduy followers with work ethics
that are effective and that usually deliver winning results. This was the case last summer in the federal elections, when the PAN of Baja California
was the only state party in the nation to win all majority vote electoral seats.
But can this be accomplished again in 2004, considering the party?s internal bickering? The question is paramount, as it remains to be seen if the
party?s inner challengers can successfully sway the needed delegate votes.
Regardless of who wins, the party will be forced to acknowledge other factions and integrate its members into the majority, or those defeated will be
alienated. Should that happen, Baja California could go the way of this year?s elections in Sonora, with voters rallying around the opposition?s
unified candidates.
JESSE - 12-10-2003 at 10:00 PM
We are fed up with the PAN, they are now as bad as the old PRI was.
get a name
jerry - 12-13-2003 at 12:31 AM
anon a miss get a name