Now the Leftist Has the Lead in Mexico

Los Angeles Times ^ | 07/06/06 | By Héctor Tobar and Richard Boudreaux

[garbageseeker]

MEXICO CITY — With more than 90% of an official recount concluded late Wednesday, leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador held a slim lead over conservative Felipe Calderon in Mexico's fractious and unpredictable presidential election.

The partial result was a surprising turnabout after two days of preliminary counts showed Calderon slightly ahead. The initial tally at the 131,000 polling places that began Sunday night was deemed too close to call.

On Wednesday, officials undertook the final count based on a review of polling station reports. With 94% of the polling stations tallied, Lopez Obrador led Calderon by 0.73 percentage point, or about 288,000 votes.

Representatives of Lopez Obrador's Democratic Revolution Party said the reversal was caused by the discovery of thousands of votes for their candidate that had gone uncounted in the preliminary tally.

At counting centers across Mexico, they demanded that individual ballot boxes be opened for recount. Although Calderon representatives objected, many boxes were opened and the votes tabulated

[Paleo Conservative]

The thread has gone past 750, so here is an updated link to the last page.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1660852/posts?q=1&&page=770#770

[garbageseeker]

Thanks. Its going to be a photo finish.

[garbageseeker]

Thats close.

[Uriah_lost]

Here's a link to the live tally:
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/noticias.html
Keep refreshing...

[Uriah_lost]

It's down to .05 pct between them with 97.51% counted!

[garbageseeker]

Thanks. Its a photo finish.

[garbageseeker]

Its going to be a nail biter.

[Uriah_lost]

.02% now...

[Caipirabob]

Let's cut to the chase. Having a Chavez clone directly on our border is a mortal danger to our national security. It must be dealt with directly by our government in no uncertain terms. If we do not see direct action taken against a leftist Mexican government, it justifies major protest against our own government.

[garbageseeker]

If we do not see direct action taken against a leftist Mexican government, it justifies major protest against our own government.

What kind of action are you proposing?

[garbageseeker]

What is going to happen if its a tie?

[Uriah_lost]

Chaos, I should think! Seriously, I understand that they have dedicate Election Court that has the final say in who is the winner.

[garbageseeker]

I believe you. It would be total anarchy in Mexico.

[garbageseeker]

Seriously, I understand that they have dedicate Election Court that has the final say in who is the winner.

We are living in interesting times.

[Paleo Conservative]

A Mexican standoff?

[garbageseeker]

More like a revolution.

[A CA Guy]

Leftists down .05% now.

[Uriah_lost]

Wasn't that from an ancient Chinese curse? I'm afraid that even a really close result will be enough to lead to real upheaval and that's the last thing we need in our next door neighbor.

[garbageseeker]

I really do not know where that saying came from. But, knowing the lefties they will raise a big stink about it. The bad thing about that is that they are organized and they have help from Chavez and Castro. The United States does not need more international instability, especially from our next door neighbor.

[Uriah_lost]

I read a comment somewhere that the more left leaning districts were the first to be counted and that this would have the appearance of a "come from behind" win. We could use a cycling term and call it a sprint finish(I'm up this early to catch info from the Tour)