Legal battle on presidency ends (We have a winner, folks!!!)

Herald Sun ^ | 6 September 2006 | Alistair Bell and Catherine Bremer

[Aussie Dasher]

RULING party conservative Felipe Calderon has finally won Mexico's presidency, ending a two-month legal battle over fraud claims at a July election that has plunged the nation into a crisis.

Seven judges at Mexico's top electoral court unanimously ruled that the vote was not rigged and that pro-business candidate Mr Calderon, 44, had won by a razor-thin margin of about 234,000 votes out of about 41 million cast.

But left-wing candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will almost certainly refuse to accept the ruling and has vowed he will never recognize Mr Calderon as president. His street protests could stretch on for months.

The election split the nation of more than 100 million people along class lines, and protests by Lopez Obrador supporters claiming fraud have paralysed the centre of Mexico City.

A top adviser said Mr Calderon was aware he had to heal divisions. "Felipe Calderon is now president. The challenge of reconciliation awaits him," Josefina Vazquez Mota said.

Mr Calderon's victory is good news for the US as he will be a key ally in Latin America, where leftist presidents critical of Washington have taken power in recent years.

The White House congratulated Mr Calderon, applauded the court's decision and said the election was "free and fair".

Mr Calderon received another boost when the Convergencia party, part of the coalition that backed Nr Lopez Obrador's presidential bid, said it accepted the court's ruling.

[Aussie Dasher]

Any truth to the rumour Al 'THe Loser' Gore is heading down to act as Obrador's chief adviser?

[John Jorsett]

The legal battle may be over, but Obrador sounds like he's prepared to take it to the streets, even to the extent of setting up a parallel government. Things are going to be "interesting" down there in the near future.

[humblegunner]

Ol' Lobrador will still contest.

He claims he'll set up a parallel government from the streets.

I've seen those streets.. they ain't so hot.

[paudio]

the Convergencia party, part of the coalition that backed Nr Lopez Obrador's presidential bid, said it accepted the court's ruling.

Some people know when to stop. Others don't.

[BunnySlippers]

It's not over. The Left will continue to aggitate and sow civil discord until the social fabric comes apart.

Obrador is planning a parallel government.

[A CA Guy]

Now the left convert themselves from contestants in a race to targets in attempted anarchy.

[Thumper1960]

Setting up a parallel government is tantamount to an attempted coup. Does Calderon have the cojones to arrest Obrador, have him tried, convicted and executed?

I doubt it.

[CyberAnt]

ROTFLOL! Yes, that worked out well for Gore didn't it.

Just another soreloserman liberal who is so arrogant he believes he has a "right" to the throne and how could the people be so stupid to vote for that Calderon.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I've been to Mexico City, and would not want to camp out on those streets, even in the Zona Rosa. Obragore is a sore loser and is p------ into the wind. Still, he can create a lot of damage to Mexico, its tourist industry and economic stability.

[skinkinthegrass]

Any truth to the rumor Al 'The Loser' Gore is heading down to act as Obrador's chief adviser?

Hmmm, It seems Gore et.al. maybe headed down to Mexico way.....the virulent form of Liberalism is taking a field trip south, a possible rehearsal for the '08 election?

[Mtner77]

Gee, I wonder which American politician started this trend?? LMAO! I guess imitation is the sincerist form of flattery.. That GREAT statesman Al Gore should be proud, proud, proud... NOT!

[Aussie Dasher]

You got it in one!!!

[COEXERJ145]

And somewhere in the depths of the Pentagon, some lowly officer is reading over the old War Plan Green.

[Intolerant in NJ]

But left-wing candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will almost certainly refuse to accept the ruling and has vowed he will never recognize Mr Calderon as president...the arrogance of these leftists who think they and they alone should be in power is breathtaking - this guy would make a lousy president if for no other reason than that he apparently has no appreciation or respect for the laws and governmental system over which he wants to preside.....