Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador was interviewed during a town hall meeting broadcast this evening by CNN-Español. A live audience joined the program host in questioning the nominee on a wide range of issues.
The once fiery but now almost serene leftist nominee, who lost the 2006 presidential race by a mere one-half percent of the vote, was asked why business and political corruption have become institutionalized in Mexico. "Corruption exists because it's permitted to exist, because it serves the interests of some of those at the top," he said. "It's scandalous, and it must be wiped out." The candidate alleged that nothing has hurt the country more than the dishonesty of government officials at all levels.
López Obrador claimed that most of Mexico's wealth was in the hands of a few and "those whom they serve," which he called "the ultimate form of corruption." He said that in order to change the country must first have the will and firm resolution to do so.
López Obrador has previously argued, "We can't continue with the sin (of ignoring) social needs, by not helping those who remain behind." He says that his administration would "govern for everybody; we're going to take care of and listen to everybody, respect everybody, but we're going to give preference to the humble people of our country."
Noting that Mexico's annual federal budget of 3.5 trillion pesos (about $260 billion USD) represents over 10,000 pesos per family, López Obrador contends that budgetary goals must be established with fairness and a greater sense of social justice. He emphasizes, "We're not trying to take anything from anybody; we're not going to take from the rich to give to the poor."
The lack of jobs and the lack of security are people's primary worries, the candidate contended. "Police have been completely corrupted and infiltrated," he said. But instead of following president Felipe Calderón's controversial National Security Strategy, under which Mexican armed forces have spearheaded the 64 month old drug war, Obrador plans to create a new national police corps which would assume full responsibility for the conflict. He promised that the federalized force would be well-trained and up to the task, although some have their doubts given the brutality of the country's cartels and the ever-mounting death toll, which is now well over 50,000.
"I'll hold a cabinet meeting every morning from 6:00-7:00 a.m.," the nominee promised. López Obrador was famous for early morning staff meetings and press conferences when he served as governor of Mexico's Federal District from 2000-2005. Although not known as a micro-manager of public business, the PRD candidate is reportedly attentive to detail and closely follows up on progress - or the lack of such - after issuing broad directives to his subordinates.
He promised drastic cuts in federal expenditures, saying that he would dispense with the fleet of helicopters and other transportation perks maintained for top officials. "Those things cost the people dearly, and the money belongs to them," said López Obrador.
The populist contender has promised to halve the presidential salary, as well as those of cabinet officers and other high ranking public servants. In subsequent remarks López Obrador said that if elected, he would set his own salary at 100,000 pesos ($8,000) per month, 51% of what it is now. He pointed out that Mexican supreme court judges, as well as federal senators and deputies, earn twice as much as their counterparts in Brazil, a nation on an economic fast track compared to Mexico. The candidate said fiscal austerity and responsibility would be the pillars of his administration. He called for the elimination of what he said were tax breaks and privileges for the country's wealthiest citizens.
Addressing the topic of public education, the 59 year old candidate argued that Mexico needs to do a better job at the primary and secondary levels to prepare students for the highly competitive world which awaits them. He said that the country needs to invest more in training and equipping teachers. "Education is fundamental to democracy." Obrador wants grants for every student who needs one at the university level. "It's better to spend the money on scholarships, than to have them in the streets," he said.
Dec. 19 - Enrique's challenging homework
July 23 - Enrique Peña Nieto's biggest challenges will be economy and environment, not drug cartels
Legal pot?
Asked by an audience member about possible drug legalization, at least for possession of marijuana, López Obrador said that the topic raised a "delicate matter," but that he would consider the issue after consultation with experts. "I want what will be right for Mexico, what will work for Mexicans. I won't be controlled by any special interest group," he promised.
Footnote
April 24: Partido Nueva Alianza (PNA) candidate Gabriel Quadri today said that he would be open to the idea of marijuana legalization. Comparing it to alcohol or cigarettes, Quadri told a press conference, "I've never known anyone who died from smoking marijuana. We need to begin thinking about and working on this issue."
March 30 - Mexico's presidential campaign begins
About PRD and Andrés Manuel López Obrador
López Obrador tops Josefina in recent poll: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.mx/2012/04/lopez-obrador-tops-josefina-in-latest.html.
López Obrado repeats promise to pull Mexican military forces from drug war: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.mx/2012/02/lopez-obrado-repeats-promise-to-pull.html.
Fanciful and shifting economic promises, a staple in Mexican campaign: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.mx/2012/04/fanciful-and-shifting-economic-promises.html.
López Obrador begins campaign with bold promise: 7 million new jobs: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/11/lopez-obrador-begins-campaign-with-bold.html.
López Obrador promises PRD victory in 2012 - and a big pay cut for politicians: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/lopez-obrador-promises-prd-victory-in.html.
PRD candidate Andrés López Obrador tells supporters, he's no Robin Hood: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/prd-candidate-andres-lopez-obrador.html.
Abortion opponents challenge PRD candidate López Obrador at papal Mass: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/03/abortion-opponents-challenge-prd.html.
Mexican Cardinal Urges U.S. to “Stop Leftist Candidates” - including AMLO: http://mexicogulfreporter-supplement.blogspot.mx/2011/11/mexican-archbishop-to-us-stop-leftist.html.
"The beast in the cave and the soap opera actor": http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/11/monster-in-dark-cave-and-soap-opera.html.
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