PRD is holding its 14th party congress, and among its tasks is to elect 64 of the members to its national council. This is interesting as it allows for a glimpse of the relations of strength within the party:
* The social-democratic current Nueva Izquierda got 25 of the seats
* Its ally ADN, also close ideologically, got 14
* The infamous IDN current of the Bejarano-Padierna couple got only
* The list backing Marcelo Ebrard got only 3
* Foro Nuevo Sol, also a moderate current allied to Ebrard, got six
In sum: Despite all the bravado talk of taking over the party, the "radicals" of IDN remain a minority within the party. Perhaps they should consider joining instead the PT.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Manuel Espino and Calderón-the-drunkard
Last week's Proceso had long excerpts from the book Calderón de Cuerpo Entero, a biography of the Mexican president by Julio Scherer García, who is also the founder of the magazine, and as such sets the tone for the often rather erratic tone of the stories and rather unsubstantiated information in what is nonetheless a very important investigative news magazine.
Regardless: Much attention has been given to Calderón's alleged drinking problem. But as critics of the book have pointed out: Scherer hasn't exactly come up with much.
One key source for the book (based on at least its excerpts) is Manuel Espino, formerly PAN president, of a very unappealing and venomous personality and belonging to the very far right of PAN, which even expelled him given his criticisms of the party. Espino is a very, very bitter man, and to say that he is someone with an axe to grind is merely an understatement. Yes it does, to be sure, allow for some interesting reading and gossip.
Regardless: Here Espino is again in an interview with Milenio today, reminding us again of his character in an involuntarily funny way:
Q: Do you know that the Church has paid millions for their pedarats?
A: No. I don't know. It is not a topic I have gone deep into.
Q: Do you have children, Manuel?
A: I have three children.
Q: And have you also instilled in them your own phobias and loathing?
A: No. I have taught my children human values, respecting their freedom of decision.
Q: Have you asked if they are gay?
A: No. It is not necessary,they are not
Q: Have you asked them?
A: Myself? It is not necessary: I have no doubt.
It is not to Scherer's credit that so much of the book appears to be based on the bitterness of this little man.
Regardless: Much attention has been given to Calderón's alleged drinking problem. But as critics of the book have pointed out: Scherer hasn't exactly come up with much.
One key source for the book (based on at least its excerpts) is Manuel Espino, formerly PAN president, of a very unappealing and venomous personality and belonging to the very far right of PAN, which even expelled him given his criticisms of the party. Espino is a very, very bitter man, and to say that he is someone with an axe to grind is merely an understatement. Yes it does, to be sure, allow for some interesting reading and gossip.
Regardless: Here Espino is again in an interview with Milenio today, reminding us again of his character in an involuntarily funny way:
Q: Do you know that the Church has paid millions for their pedarats?
A: No. I don't know. It is not a topic I have gone deep into.
Q: Do you have children, Manuel?
A: I have three children.
Q: And have you also instilled in them your own phobias and loathing?
A: No. I have taught my children human values, respecting their freedom of decision.
Q: Have you asked if they are gay?
A: No. It is not necessary,they are not
Q: Have you asked them?
A: Myself? It is not necessary: I have no doubt.
It is not to Scherer's credit that so much of the book appears to be based on the bitterness of this little man.
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