My wife Yoli and I watched live Biden’s debate collapse and were horrified. We were sure he was finished.
Democratic big hitters are, of course, relieved that Joe is no more.
However, the immediate aftermath of his exit presents a decidedly anti-democratic event. By endorsing Harris, Joe effectively hand picked his successor. Harris gets all of Biden’s campaign money and staff. No Democratic politician will dare challenge her for the nomination.
Mexico for 70 years was ruled by the party best known as the PRI. During that dictatorial period, outgoing presidents exercised “el dedazo.”
Roughly translated, the term means indicating with a finger. The recipient of el dedazo was guaranteed electoral victory; the PRI ensured that by any means necessary.
Things have changed in Mexico. There was a presidential primary that produced two women candidates for this year’s election.
That was a major advance for our southern neighbor. The incoming president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is a 61-year-old environmental engineer and former Mexico City mayor. She is progressive and is fluent in English. It’s noteworthy that she won in a landslide and the election was transparent and fair.
Here in the United States, there is excitement at the mere possibility of Americans electing the first female president. Trump is a formidable foe, so we may end up with yet another old white man in the White House, one who is a felon and crazy as hell.
Americans who look down their noses at Mexico would do well to take a moment and contemplate the sharp presidential differences between Mexico and the United States.
Ricardo Chavira Chicano 