The cone of silence

We’re into the “veda electoral” — electoral veil.  For the 72 hours before the election Mexicans are  supposedly spared media comments about the various candidates, giving them time to absorb the candidate’s positions, maybe tote up the cash value of their campaign bling, fill out stolen ballots  (using voter IDs “borrowed” in exchange for cash) or maybe change their minds about whatever candidate they originally said they were voting for.   I know a few people who only this week decided they would vote… and it ain’t for the presumed front-runner.

The polls published yesterday, and the reports on the closing campaign rallies by the various candidates are last we’ll hear of them.  There weren’t any last minute surprises.  Peña Nieto still leads in the polls (though who knows if the polls are accurate?), followed by AMLO, then Josefina and Quadri just a footnote, if even included in the polls.  Not that anyone believes the polls.

The three main candidates  all convoked decent sized rallies in their home territories.  Peña Neito, in Toluca trotted out some pop stars and made a few more promises, AMLO supporters filled the Zocalo and surrounding streets in the Capital, and Josefina offered to make Calderón her Attorney General in her administration.  Which is unlikely to happen (and … during the six month transition, I expect Calderón — who is very likely to face international human rights violation charges — will be looking for a comfortable exile).  I have no idea where Gabriel Quadri was… probably lecturing his supporters as they tooled along in his baby blue campaign VW micro-minibus).

In theory, this website is located in Canada (at least my server is), but I’m going to honor the veda, and spend my time catching up on my reading:  the history of medieval Spain, if you want to know.