This morning, Milenio published a new poll which shows AMLO (Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador) retaking the lead in the race for Mexico's presidency. He leads 33.6% to 33.1%, after being down in the last poll published by the same paper.
http://www.milenio.com/...
AMLO is a center-left candidate who espouses much of the Democratic Party's political platform.
http://www.amlo.org.mx/
Howard Dean chose AMLO's campaign headquarters to hold a press conference when he visited Mexico City last year. Arturo Valenzuela, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs during President Clinton's administration, has been seen in his War Room. Other Clintonites are also reportedly working with AMLO's strategists.
Economically, AMLO promises a more progressive fiscal code. He laments that Roberto Hernandez sold his bank to Citigroup for over US$ 10B, and paid 0% in taxes. By comparison, his opponent, RightWing Felipe Calderon, vows to implement a flat tax, which would unfairly burden the lower- and middle-incomes, while rewarding the affluent, which pay far less in taxes than does the affluent in the US.
Why do I believe that AMLO's economic program would be successful? Largely because AMLO tranformed Mexico City during his 5-year tenure. He restored the Centro Historico, and embarked upon massive infrastructure projects that benefitted both, lower- and middle-income Mexicans. He did so via Clinton-style Empowerment Zones, combining private and public investment. He left Mexico City with an 84% approval rating. During his tenure he reached approval ratings as high as 90%, according to Reforma, a RightWing newspaper. Reforma also conducted an analysis which concluded that he kept 80% of his campaign promises.
http://www.foros.gob.mx/...
Socially, AMLO espouses a Modern Mexico. His opponent, the RightWing Felipe Calderon, has already gone on record saying that he disagrees with scientists who maintain that the morning-after pill is not abortive. Calderon also has a tendency to pepper his speeches with Scripture, in the same way that Bush does.
Kossacks, this is a very important election, not only for Mexico, but for the US as well. Economic growth in Mexico has been non-existent since 1982. According to S&P, Mexico averaged real growth (GDP/Capita) of 0.6%, from 1982 - 2002. During the first five years of Fox's tenure, annual real growth (per/capita) has been 0.8%. Calderon has promised to continue the economic policies that led to such mediocre growth.
AMLO, like President Clinton during the 90s, promises more government intervention, arguing, like Clinton and Soros, that laissez-faire capitalism simply does not work.
I urge everyone to support AMLO, and oppose the Bush-supported Calderon.