Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BOGOTA4647
2006-05-25 18:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MOCKUS MARGINALIZED BY HIS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0010 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBO #4647/01 1451846 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 251846Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5258 INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6829 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 7749 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAY LIMA 3798 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4437 RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 3562
UNCLAS BOGOTA 004647
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR CO
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MOCKUS MARGINALIZED BY HIS
OWN IDEALISM
-------
Summary
-------
UNCLAS BOGOTA 004647
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR CO
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MOCKUS MARGINALIZED BY HIS
OWN IDEALISM
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) In December 2005 Antanas Mockus was a popular,
two-time former mayor of Bogota boasting favorability ratings
of 53.2% in Gallup polls. Of the current presidential
candidates, only incumbent Alvaro Uribe was viewed more
favorably. Despite this, the Mockus campaign has been unable
to gain traction and the candidate himself appears to be
headed for an embarrassing showing in the May 28 presidential
elections, matching the poor results of his candidates in the
March congressional elections. Mockus' unrelenting idealism
and refusal to engage in "traditional politics" have failed
to attract voters and driven away potential political allies,
marginalizing him for now in Colombian politics. End Summary.
--------------
Like Uribe, But Not So Political
--------------
2. (SBU) On May 22 Poloff met with Maria Isabel Patino, vice
presidential running mate to Antanas Mockus. She was quick
to point out that Mockus, platform closely mirrors Uribe,s
in his support for the FTA, support for the Justice and Peace
Law and refusal to negotiate with guerrillas. However, it
attacks Uribe for having "dictatorial tendencies" and a
"willingness to compromise when politically expedient."
Patino said the Electoral Guarantees Law gives the incumbent
too many advantages over challengers and Uribe is "using
these advantages to weaken democracy." She compared Uribe's
habit of promising to address individual grievances at
campaign rallies to Hugo Chavez' television program, "Alo
Presidente," and said she expected him to attempt to modify
the constitution again in order to run for president in 2010.
She criticized Uribe,s decision to avoid televised debates
as undemocratic, while recognizing that it was politically
advantageous. She admitted that the strategy of criticizing
Uribe personally while supporting his policies has not been
politically successful. The Mockus campaign's failure to
differentiate themselves from Uribe kept them from luring
away his supporters, she said.
-------------- ---
View Political Compromises as a Sign of Weakness
-------------- ---
3. (SBU) Patino happily conceded that she and Mockus are not
good politicians, suggesting that their low poll numbers are
a badge of honor and demonstrate their uncompromising ideals.
She criticized the other campaigns for making promises that
will be difficult to fulfill and proudly stated that, if
elected, Mockus would not follow the practice of giving
government jobs to political supporters. Patino said this
refusal to play politics scared away many potential
supporters who see little opportunities for personal gain by
voting for Mockus or working in his campaign.
--------------
Recognize Their Position, But Not Changing
--------------
4. (SBU) In Patino's view, the party system is
re-solidifying; after this election, there will "no longer be
a place for independent candidates." She lamented that
limited federal funding for the major candidates has forced
independents to spend more time searching for funds and less
time spreading their message. (Her office was filled with
donated artwork from a recent auction held to raise funds for
the campaign.) She said Mockus' personal image, more than
his message, has kept the campaign going. Nonetheless,
Mockus refuses to join a political party and says he will
remain a lonely voice in the opposition after the election.
She said he prefers to stand on his ideals even at the
expense of his political career. This stand has marginalized
Mockus as a player in Colombian politics.
--------------
Bio Note
--------------
5. (U) Patino is a maritime and trade lawyer with degrees
from Los Andes University in Bogota and Tulane University.
She also studied at the Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Mockus campaign she
worked as a lawyer for the Colombian flower industry. Her
father and two American citizen sisters currently live in the
United States.
WOOD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR CO
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MOCKUS MARGINALIZED BY HIS
OWN IDEALISM
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) In December 2005 Antanas Mockus was a popular,
two-time former mayor of Bogota boasting favorability ratings
of 53.2% in Gallup polls. Of the current presidential
candidates, only incumbent Alvaro Uribe was viewed more
favorably. Despite this, the Mockus campaign has been unable
to gain traction and the candidate himself appears to be
headed for an embarrassing showing in the May 28 presidential
elections, matching the poor results of his candidates in the
March congressional elections. Mockus' unrelenting idealism
and refusal to engage in "traditional politics" have failed
to attract voters and driven away potential political allies,
marginalizing him for now in Colombian politics. End Summary.
--------------
Like Uribe, But Not So Political
--------------
2. (SBU) On May 22 Poloff met with Maria Isabel Patino, vice
presidential running mate to Antanas Mockus. She was quick
to point out that Mockus, platform closely mirrors Uribe,s
in his support for the FTA, support for the Justice and Peace
Law and refusal to negotiate with guerrillas. However, it
attacks Uribe for having "dictatorial tendencies" and a
"willingness to compromise when politically expedient."
Patino said the Electoral Guarantees Law gives the incumbent
too many advantages over challengers and Uribe is "using
these advantages to weaken democracy." She compared Uribe's
habit of promising to address individual grievances at
campaign rallies to Hugo Chavez' television program, "Alo
Presidente," and said she expected him to attempt to modify
the constitution again in order to run for president in 2010.
She criticized Uribe,s decision to avoid televised debates
as undemocratic, while recognizing that it was politically
advantageous. She admitted that the strategy of criticizing
Uribe personally while supporting his policies has not been
politically successful. The Mockus campaign's failure to
differentiate themselves from Uribe kept them from luring
away his supporters, she said.
-------------- ---
View Political Compromises as a Sign of Weakness
-------------- ---
3. (SBU) Patino happily conceded that she and Mockus are not
good politicians, suggesting that their low poll numbers are
a badge of honor and demonstrate their uncompromising ideals.
She criticized the other campaigns for making promises that
will be difficult to fulfill and proudly stated that, if
elected, Mockus would not follow the practice of giving
government jobs to political supporters. Patino said this
refusal to play politics scared away many potential
supporters who see little opportunities for personal gain by
voting for Mockus or working in his campaign.
--------------
Recognize Their Position, But Not Changing
--------------
4. (SBU) In Patino's view, the party system is
re-solidifying; after this election, there will "no longer be
a place for independent candidates." She lamented that
limited federal funding for the major candidates has forced
independents to spend more time searching for funds and less
time spreading their message. (Her office was filled with
donated artwork from a recent auction held to raise funds for
the campaign.) She said Mockus' personal image, more than
his message, has kept the campaign going. Nonetheless,
Mockus refuses to join a political party and says he will
remain a lonely voice in the opposition after the election.
She said he prefers to stand on his ideals even at the
expense of his political career. This stand has marginalized
Mockus as a player in Colombian politics.
--------------
Bio Note
--------------
5. (U) Patino is a maritime and trade lawyer with degrees
from Los Andes University in Bogota and Tulane University.
She also studied at the Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Mockus campaign she
worked as a lawyer for the Colombian flower industry. Her
father and two American citizen sisters currently live in the
United States.
WOOD