UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002335

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA, INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: DEMOCRATS TAKE CONTROL OF HOUSE

On November 8, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ.
101,000) carried an article by Alvaro Vargas Llosa entitled,
"Protest Vote against Republicans, Democrats Win Control of the
House." Quote:

"There are two important elements of this election. One is the
geographic division between the south, where the Republican vote did
not change, and the rest of the country, where the Democrats had an
important result. Another important element is...that almost all
the opposition candidates who succeeded in removing their Republican
opponents are ideologically 'moderate'. According to all exit
polls, the key issues in this election were the war in Iraq,
terrorism, corruption, and the economy. The majority said they were
against Bush on all issues...except terrorism...which sheds some
light on the political deterioration of the White House and the
government in this election."

KELLY