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Noviembre 05, 2005
Evo y El #10
Say what you will about the Bolivian Presidential candidate who is steadily gaining momentum. Already leading in most of the recent polls, Evo Morales may come across a bit awkward when dealing with the media. He may spout off utilizing the same overused vocabulary from time to time. His campaign may overlook minute details that may appear to make him irresponsible. However, Evo Morales' last few days in Mar del Plata may prove to be a turning point in this election.
Evo was like a social butterfly, he was everywhere. Next to President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Evo would nod approvingly and clap in agreement. He was one of the leads in a march next to Hebe de Bonafini from the Madres de Plaza de Mayo. But it was being in the presence of (depending on who you ask) the 2nd best footballer in the world, that may give him a tremendous boost in the polls. Evo is now an international celebrity among the anti-globalization movement.
In terms of strategy, one may expect Diego Armando Maradona to arrive in Bolivia over the course of the next six weeks to help the Evo and MAS campaign. Imagine an Evo-Diego tour across the forgotten parts of Bolivia bringing soccer balls to communities in need of some attention. Sure it may seem like a populist type of publicity stunt, but it would accomplish two things. For starters, it would refocus the campaign and make poverty the number one issue. For some reason, people criticize Hugo Chavez for talking too much about poverty. Whether or not he is sincere about his concern about the poorest in his country is one thing, but at least the subject is being discussed. An appearance in a pueblito could really convince some skeptics that Evo is big-time. It probably wouldn't necessarily impress the upperclass, but the poor campesinos unsure about Evo's ability to govern, might see Evo as a legitimate force to be reckoned with. There might be something mystical about the candidate bringing one of the most famous South Americans to the country.
Now some might say that it would be foolish to appear next to Maradona, who is almost as famous as his struggles with drugs, as his footballing, but Evo's appearance at the protests in Mar del Plata only reinforces his image as the candidate of change in Bolivia.
Photo: Reuters
Posted by eduardo at Noviembre 5, 2005 01:23 AM
Comments
Testing, testing, one, two, three. :-)
I liked your post. It reminded me when I met the guy in Brazil. Goni is a jolly fellow.
Posted by: Miguel (MABB) at Noviembre 5, 2005 03:11 PM
Politics schmolitics, Diego's just after a better deal on coca.
Posted by: Standanista at Noviembre 9, 2005 02:37 PM