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Bacchus4.0

(6,837 posts)
Mon Oct 26, 2015, 01:08 PM Oct 2015

TV Comic Jimmy Morales Wins Guatemala Presidential Runoff

Source: AP

TV comic and self-styled outsider Jimmy Morales swept to Guatemala's presidency on the back of popular anger against the political class after huge anti-corruption protests helped oust the last government.

Morales, who is to assume the presidency Jan. 14 and has never held political office, said he would get right to work with a transition team to study economic issues and work on development-oriented government policies.

"It is not I who declare myself the winner but rather the people who have done so," said Morales, 46, who starred in the comedy "Moralejas."

Morales claimed victory late Sunday and his runoff opponent, former first lady Sandra Torres, conceded defeat after official results showed him winning around 68 percent of the votes with 97 percent of polling stations tallied. Election officials were expected to give a final count Monday.


Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/tv-comic-jimmy-morales-wins-guatemala-presidential-runoff-34726790

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TV Comic Jimmy Morales Wins Guatemala Presidential Runoff (Original Post) Bacchus4.0 Oct 2015 OP
How long until the CIA coup, then? villager Oct 2015 #1
I think the CIA is pretty sentimental. They'll invade on Valentine's Day. valerief Oct 2015 #2
Why would there be? a la izquierda Oct 2015 #8
He is? So a rightwing populist? Then which ethnic groups is he blaming for the corruption? villager Oct 2015 #12
Huh, a TV personality and a former 1st lady Dale Scott Oct 2015 #3
Not too bad compared to Carson and Trump nt geek tragedy Oct 2015 #4
Sure. a la izquierda Oct 2015 #10
Same motivation, though MosheFeingold Oct 2015 #15
ha LiberalLovinLug Oct 2015 #6
Speaking truth to power huh? a la izquierda Oct 2015 #9
Ah LiberalLovinLug Oct 2015 #11
No worries. a la izquierda Oct 2015 #13
I just flew in from becoming President, and boy, are my arms tired! shenmue Oct 2015 #5
Groan. FSogol Oct 2015 #7
If we can get Al Franken elected, we'll be doing okay. n/t tabasco Oct 2015 #14
If it's a TV personality vs. a former 1st lady here, I'm afraid it will be the same results Reter Oct 2015 #16
If you're going to have a clown be President, get a professional. bemildred Oct 2015 #17

valerief

(53,235 posts)
2. I think the CIA is pretty sentimental. They'll invade on Valentine's Day.
Mon Oct 26, 2015, 01:15 PM
Oct 2015

The empire does love its coups.

 

villager

(26,001 posts)
12. He is? So a rightwing populist? Then which ethnic groups is he blaming for the corruption?
Mon Oct 26, 2015, 05:47 PM
Oct 2015

I guess I'll have to read up on the situation now....

MosheFeingold

(3,051 posts)
15. Same motivation, though
Mon Oct 26, 2015, 07:27 PM
Oct 2015

People are tired of being used by the Uniparty. Doesn't matter what country.

Shame we don't have one of those on our side. Bill Gates or someone.

LiberalLovinLug

(14,153 posts)
6. ha
Mon Oct 26, 2015, 02:00 PM
Oct 2015

Yes, the population rejects a former first lady who is entrenched deeply in the status quo and is supported by the largest corporations and financial sector.....for an unlikely choice who tells it like it is and who is not afraid to speak truth to power.

But it couldn't happen anywhere else could it?

a la izquierda

(11,784 posts)
9. Speaking truth to power huh?
Mon Oct 26, 2015, 05:36 PM
Oct 2015

He's a right winger and his closest ally was in charge when a major massacre of Mayas took place.
Truth to power.

Pay attention.

LiberalLovinLug

(14,153 posts)
11. Ah
Mon Oct 26, 2015, 05:45 PM
Oct 2015

Ok, I spoke too soon. I ASSUMED that after the President and vice President were charged with massive corruption, and the first lady being a part of that corruption, that someone who pledges to fight that corruption would be more leftist.

On research, it sounds like he is more like a Donald Trump. Maybe worse.Sad for Guatemala. Was there even any more left choices?

a la izquierda

(11,784 posts)
13. No worries.
Mon Oct 26, 2015, 06:07 PM
Oct 2015

I'm a Latin Americanist (my specialty is Mexico, but I work on indigenous populations). My best friend works with Guatemalan NGOs.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
17. If you're going to have a clown be President, get a professional.
Tue Oct 27, 2015, 02:04 AM
Oct 2015

I still think we should get Colbert to run, he could beat Trump.

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