The results of the elections today show that the PRI party candidates won as the mayors for Ensenada, Tijuana, Rosarito and Tecate.shari - 7-5-2010 at 07:29 AM
surprise surpriseThe Gull - 7-5-2010 at 07:38 AM
I guess the people are willing to switch thieves after 16 years of PAN trying their hand at corruption.
The governor's spot will be next?capt. mike - 7-5-2010 at 07:41 AM
elucidate me por favor -
what are the major active parties , what are their main points and what effect will either have on gringo livin' style in mexico?
point of ref - i am a conservative, neither repub nor (definately not) demorcRAT - i tend to a libertarian bent as far as gov't hands off etc.
curious since if i lived there - mexico - although i can't vote the outcomes might affect my living in any way?DENNIS - 7-5-2010 at 07:44 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
elucidate me por favor -
In a nutshell...Pan is likened to the Republican Party and PRI to the Dems.Bajajorge - 7-5-2010 at 08:46 AM
There goes the neighborhood.Woooosh - 7-5-2010 at 10:40 AM
Only about 30% voted- even given the huge economic and security rollercoaster rides of the past three years. It was a hold-your-nose and vote thing.
But I am in favor of having some continuity of gov't in Rosarito Beach instead of throwing everything out (including the municipal employees)- the
progress of the public works projects will continue on.
The PAN=Republicans and PRI= Democrats analogy is interesting. IN Rosarito I noticed all the drug gangsters and street thugs supporting the PAN with
flags and stickers and the established professional people of Rosarito supported the PRI (anecdotal from signs on houses). Not sure what to make of
it really and maybe that's maybe why only 30% vote.DENNIS - 7-5-2010 at 11:08 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
The PAN=Republicans and PRI= Democrats analogy is interesting. IN Rosarito I noticed all the drug gangsters and street thugs supporting the PAN with
flags and stickers and the established professional people of Rosarito supported the PRI (anecdotal from signs on houses). Not sure what to make of
it really and maybe that's maybe why only 30% vote.
I doubt your first group is making well thought-out political statements. They just don't want to train a new set of dogs.
The second group is, I'm sure, looking for "change." They should consider carefully the consequences of their vote and look to the north for examples
of "change."Bajahowodd - 7-5-2010 at 12:31 PM
Just seems to me that Latin America, in general, has been shifting to the left. Obviously, Chavez in Venezuela is an extreme example. But several
South American countries have recently elected presidents that are far from conservative. Have to figure that unless Calderon pulls a conejo out of
his sombrero in the drug war, PAN probably won't have the next elected president, either.rob - 7-5-2010 at 12:37 PM
A poltician friend in La Paz disagrees with Dennis' characterization of the parties. He says it goes more like this (not sure if this is local or
national, or whether there is even a difference):
PRI = Right (republican)
PVEN = Young Right (republican)
PAN = Center Middle Right (democrats)
PRD = Left Middle (socialists)
PT = Left (sociallists)
An interesting point is that anyone can develop a party, the goal is to get a 2% showing in the polls in order to get federal funds to finance your
political position or retirement.
Any party that, either solely or in an alliance, reach a 2% showing in the polls get federal money for their campaigns (read payroll). A local (Baja
Sur)example is Leonel Cota Montano's new party, Partido Democratico Sudcaliforniano, PDS (ex-BCS governor) he seems to have given up getting anywhere
on the federal stage, where he was national secretary of the PRD, who lost to Calderon).
We also have Guluarte (ex-mayor of La Paz) with the Nueva Allianza.
Very profitable.Woooosh - 7-5-2010 at 12:42 PM
Thanks Rob. That makes more sense given my observations.Bajahowodd - 7-5-2010 at 12:54 PM
I really think it is erroneous to conflate PAN with democrats. The confusion people have is that the party refers to itself as a center-right,
Christian democratic party. However, among its major tenets is free enterprise with as little government intervention as possible. Additionally, they
favor small government. So, to characterize the party as something akin to the US Democratic party would appear to be a mistake.DENNIS - 7-5-2010 at 12:57 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by rob
A poltician friend in La Paz disagrees with Dennis' characterization of the parties.
National parties
Following the general election of July, 2006, Mexico had eight nationally recognized political parties by the Federal Electoral Institute. National
recognition was given to those parties that secured representation in Congress (effectively, a share of the popular vote greater than 2%). Under
Mexican law, parties are listed in the order in which they were first registered, thus:
National Action Party (Partido Acción Nacional, PAN) – a right of center party member of Christian Democracy. It is the party of incumbent President
Felipe Calderón. After the 2006 general election it became the largest party in Congress.
Institutional Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Institucional, PRI) – the dominating party, under different names, at the local, state, and
national levels for most of the 20th century. It is currently the dominant party at the local and state level, second at the higher chamber of
senators. A part of the Socialist International, it is perceived as left of center, supporting a policy of mixed economy and nationalized industries,
both of which are longstanding Mexican practices.
Party of the Democratic Revolution (Partido de la Revolución Democrática, PRD) – a left of center party. Born as "National Democratic Front", a
splinter group of the PRI, in the 1988 elections. Its first candidate and founder, Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, lost the 1988 presidential election under
dubious circumstances, which eventually helped the party consolidate itself. It is currently in power in the Federal District and in several other
states.
Labor Party (Partido del Trabajo, PT) – a political party formed in 1990. It is often allied with the PRD for electoral purposes.
Ecologist Green Party of Mexico (Partido Verde Ecologista de México, PVEM) – a minor party with an environmental platform. This party allied with the
PAN to elect the first non-PRI president in almost seven decades. Since then it has mostly allied with the PRI.
Convergence (Convergencia, formerly Convergencia por la Democracia) – a minor party, formed in 1997.
New Alliance (Nueva Alianza) – originally created by academics of the Autonomous Technical Institute of Mexico and members of the National Teachers
Union, the largest union in Latin America. It was established in July 14, 2005.
In terms of their congressional representation and share of the national vote, only PRI, PAN and the PRD can be considered major parties.
I've been told that PAN is better for baja. Because when there is a PAN president baja gets rewarded for its patronage with generous public works
projects.Bajahowodd - 7-5-2010 at 01:11 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by tjBill
I've been told that PAN is better for baja. Because when there is a PAN president baja gets rewarded for its patronage with generous public works
projects.
For the next two years, anyway!k-rico - 7-5-2010 at 01:11 PM
The way I understand it, the new PRI Tijuana mayor (Carlos Bustamante) is from an old, well known Tijuana family and a very successful Tijuana
businessman. He's 65 years old and maintains residences in TJ and San Diego county. The PAN candidate is 34, a young man with connections in Mexico
City, but obviously a weak candidate.
I've read that there wasn't much difference in their plans/goals for the city.
I hope Bustamante continues Ramos's infrastructure improvement programs. Much has been done in the past 4 years, especially in road
building/maintenance and sewer upgrades. I've recently read that TJ is treating over 90% of the sewage, more percentage wise than any other city in
Mexico, and that has recently bought 4 million dollars worth of trees for the city. I know that the redevelopment plans for the beachfront in Playas
are well underway and quite impressive.
Also, La Frontera ran an article last week about plans to tear down the slum along the border highway close to and west of the crossing.
My wife, a TJ native, voted PAN (Ramos) last time, PRI this time. She has a lot of respect for Bustamante and thinks he will be a good mayor. She
knows the city and keeps up on politics.
I'm wondering what Jesse thinks.DENNIS - 7-5-2010 at 01:15 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
The way I understand it, the new PRI Tijuana mayor (Carlos Bustamante) is from an old, well known Tijuana family and a very successful Tijuana
businessman. He's 65 years old and maintains residences in TJ and San Diego county.
It's my understanding that he was born in the states.
MY GAWD....HE'S ONE OF US....A YANKEE.
I wonder if he realizes this.
[Edited on 7-5-2010 by DENNIS]Bajahowodd - 7-5-2010 at 01:19 PM
" Partido Acción Nacional
conservative Mexican political party with close ties to the Roman Catholic Church. It generally supports minimal government intervention in the
economy.
The National Action Party (PAN) was founded in 1939 to represent the interests of business and of the Roman Catholic Church (which had been stripped
of legal recognition in 1917), drawing its support largely from the urban middle class and in the northern parts of the country. "
- Britannica
In the absence of a parliamentary system, it just seems like healthy governance when people can be elected from different parties and do a good job
representing their electorate.k-rico - 7-5-2010 at 01:22 PM
One thing that may have gotten Bustamante a lot of votes and his opponent did not mention is that he wants to do away with the new southbound border
inspections and let the traffic flow again. Of course it's a federal call but he may be able to swing it in the interest of commerce.
[Edited on 7-5-2010 by k-rico]DENNIS - 7-5-2010 at 01:24 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
One thing that may have gotten him a lot of votes
Another thing is the "Meg Whtman" phenomona....he bought them. He's richer than God.k-rico - 7-5-2010 at 01:31 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
One thing that may have gotten him a lot of votes
Another thing is the "Meg Whtman" phenomona....he bought them. He's richer than God.
He is VERY, VERY rich.
The campaign was real short and not much was spent on signs or radio advertising, at least not on station 104.5 - "siempre joven, siempre fina, radio
latina" - my favorite.
Also, I heard on a NPR show that negative political attack ads are illegal in Mexico. Good!! Of course candidates get shot more often here. Effective.
[Edited on 7-5-2010 by k-rico]tjBill - 7-5-2010 at 01:43 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
My wife, a TJ native, voted PAN (Ramos) last time, PRI this time. She has a lot of respect for Bustamante and thinks he will be a good mayor. She
knows the city and keeps up on politics.
I think Bustamante will be good a mayor and not a disaster not last PRI mayor; Hank Rohn.k-rico - 7-5-2010 at 01:48 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by tjBill
I've been told that PAN is better for baja. Because when there is a PAN president baja gets rewarded for its patronage with generous public works
projects.
That was my worry too. With the Prez, Gov, and Mayor all PAN, I was thinking that the skids were GREASED.
But Google { "North American Development Bank" Tijuana }
A lot of TJ development money is being financed there.Bajahowodd - 7-5-2010 at 01:51 PM
"Also, I heard on a NPR show that negative political attack ads are illegal in Mexico."
Oh. If only it was true NOB! Any idea how much of the $100 million Whitman has spent was on positive ads???bajalou - 7-5-2010 at 01:57 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Oh. If only it was true NOB! Any idea how much of the $100 million Whitman has spent was on positive ads???
About 10 bucks.Bajahowodd - 7-5-2010 at 02:02 PM
Fairly accurate! chnlisle - 7-5-2010 at 02:19 PM
Well, it was a clean sweep. The mayor of Mexicali will be from the PRI, too. And about 2/3's of the deputies elected were PRI.
Dennis has it right. PAN is center-right, like Republicans. PRI is center-left, like Democrats. There were a lot of unholy alliances this year. In
some state elections PAN linked up with far-left parties to run joint candidates. Go figure.
I think this is a big win for the drug cartels. Thinks should calm down next year. PRI is very good at reaching "arrangments" with criminals and
allocating "plazas". Things will be calm on the surface, and in turmoil underneath, where the public cannot see it. Unfortunately, we can also expect
a gran chinga of crooked cops.
