Posted on 10/01/2009 4:36:53 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
MEXICO CITY — An eccentric street vendor known for his Rambo-style headband took charge of Mexico City's most populous borough Thursday — at least for a few hours.
Rafael Acosta strode into Mexico City's legislature with his arms raised triumphantly and was sworn into office. Immediately after the ceremony, he requested a leave of absence — part of an elaborate political scheme that has captivated Mexico.
The concept is this: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the leader of Mexico's left, wants to hold onto Iztapalapa, a poor but populous borough of 1.8 million people that is the equivalent of a swing state in presidential elections.
His candidate, Clara Brugada, was defeated in his party's primary, so he offered to get the longshot candidate Acosta elected. In return, Acosta agreed to step down and give the position to her. All went according to plan — until Acosta won in a landslide and said the deal was off.
He was sworn in Thursday to cries of both "Traitor!" and "Don't resign!" as many still questioned what he would do. He answered the question in short order, submitting a request for a 59-day leave of absence, citing heart problems.
Acosta has been remarkably open about the political finagling that transformed him into a bizarre celebrity who appears daily on newspaper front pages and evening newscasts.
Known affectionately as "Juanito" because he once coached a youth soccer team in which 11 of the 15 players were named Juan, he has become a symbol for many Mexicans of the little guy caught up in a powerful game.
The case is bizarre even for Mexico, where corruption is rampant and conspiracy theories abound. But many Mexicans have found comfort in Acosta's openness about the whole matter because it confirms their worst suspicions about how politicians operate...
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
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If he becomes President he will want to change his name to “Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho” ...
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