Content by Pragmatic Progressive
Posted at 12:32am on Jul. 12, 2006 I Was Wrong About AMLO
By Pragmatic Progressive
I know that there have been quite a few diaries on the Mexican Election already, but I think it is worth contributiong my viewpoint, as I was someone who WANTED Lopez Obrador to win.
When I first heard about his background and candidacy late last year, I got excited. I saw a fiery populist who was about to stand up to the establishment of Mexico and stand up for the poor people in the country disaffected by the neoliberal Wall Street reformers that had grown the economy at the expense of poor farmers. To be sure, I would not have wished to advocate all of AMLO's policies in America, but I felt it would be a treat to see them in action in a nearby country whose demographics are becoming increasingly similar.
As time wore on, however, I increasing heard warning signs about the true nature of the candidate and his policies. I heard that he was prone to ignoring court decisions, and placing mob rule over the rule of law to further his own agenda, pushing the envelope of the democratic process and rule of law to achieve his ends. I even read a few disturbing tales by comitted PRD members (The PRD has been, historically, a party committed to Democracy and civil rights above all else, areas where it distanced itself from the PRI), who had jumped ship in disgust as Lopez Obrador's antics, feeling his unabashed populism had betrayed the very values they held most dear.
I was Puzzled why AMLO, who began with a large lead in the polls, decided not to participate in debates with his opponents. This decision can be read as one of great smugness and even hubris. Try to imagine a major candidate in U.S. politics refusing to debate an opponent. Was AMLO that confident in his policies, or too afraid to defend them against two eloquent opponents (or both)?
In retrospect, for all his words and promises it seems his behavior failed to excite his base, judging from the meager 60% turnout. If anything, Lopez' antic's probably did more to excite his opponents. And the fact that his once seemingly insurmountable lead had narrowed to within the margin of error was also a signal that perhaps Mexican voters had lost their confidence in a candidate driven more by rhetoric than experience.
Despite all this, I still pulled for AMLO on election night. Despite all the warning signs I had managed to convince myself that AMLO could be humbled by the responsibilities of high office and learn to respect his powers and to work closely with both his Congress and the U.S. I thought he could have a sucessful administration somewhat reminiscent of Lula in Brazil and Bachelet in Chile, both of whom I enthusiastically support.
Lopez's election night rhetoric was not reassuring in the slightest. Despite faring quite poorly in the preliminary returns as compared to opinion polls, he insisted constantly that the Presidency was his by default; the democratic process was simply a coronation of sorts.
Now, despite an endorsement of the elections by EU monitors, Lopez is crying foul. The election was close enough to warrant a recount. He got it and lost but did not change his behavior in the slightest. Whether or not he is within his rights to file an election complaint, his doing so should provoke nothing but scorn from all other Mexican parties. Doing so, in addition to endorsing street protests, has set Lopez against nation unity and stability, the democratic process, and the rule of law. I wish the Mexican PRD and its allies had nominated a candidate committed to work within those bounds. Until they do, I will have no kind words for them. I also hope that all Americans, regardless of persuasion, support the right of the people of Mexico to democratically choose their leader and the man they have chosen, Calderon. I know I've covered a lot of bases on this topic and not left that much room for comments, but I really feel I had to get this off my back.
[Footnote: This is my first diary, as my opinions are often too adversarial to warrant more than comments. I welcome any feedback, but caution that the question of the whether the U.S. Democratic party is plagued by the same problems as the PRD might be a question for another diary.]