ManattJones CEO Discusses Mexico’s Presidential Candidates

“Which PAN Candidate is Headed for Nomination in Mexico?”
Inter-American Dialogue’s Latin America Advisor 

February 1, 2012 – ManattJones Global Strategies Chairman & CEO James R. Jones spoke to Inter-American Dialogue’s Latin America Advisor on Mexico’s upcoming presidential election. The ruling National Action Party (PAN) is scheduled to select its presidential candidate, making it the last party to do so.

When asked his thoughts on the candidates and the ruling party, Jones, who is a former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, replied:

"The PAN faces a dilemma. Josefina Vázquez Mota clearly leads all polls of the popular vote by sizeable margins. However, former Finance Minister Cordero seems to have the support of President Calderón and the PAN leaders who have considerable control over the nominating process. Currently, Cordero is running third in the popular polls. Sen. Santiago Creel is a distant second and showing no signs of improvement. If Vázquez Mota wins the primary popular vote big, it's hard to imagine that she will be denied the PAN nomination, since that would create a deep party schism most likely dooming the PAN to defeat in July. The presidential campaign is shaping up to be a very competitive and close one. Although PRD candidate López Obrador was badly damaged by his conduct after narrowly losing the last presidential race to Calderón, he remains one of the smartest political strategists in Mexico and is very likely to improve his current third-place position. López Obrador has already adjusted his policy proposals and is reaching out to mend fences with such important segments as the business leadership. The PRI nominee, former Gov. Peña Nieto, still maintains his first-place position in all the polls. But he has slipped slightly after a series of gaffes he made in speeches and interviews during the last month. The PRI has the best national political organization of the three major parties. If the candidates are perceived as generally equal, organization becomes a decisive factor. Vázquez Mota is smart and a good campaigner. Although Mexico has shown no inclination to elect a woman to the presidency until now, this year may be just the right set of circumstances that could change that. Often when an electorate is frustrated or angry toward the establishment, they will turn to a woman to lead them out. This could be the year."

Jones also sits on the publication’s Board of Advisors.

Read the article here.