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The debate question

Technorati tag: Bolivia

The biggest campaign issue in Bolivia is whether Tuto & Evo will debate. Jorge Quiroga (Tuto) is insisting that Evo Morales engage in a presidential debate, especially over economic policy. Evo, on the other hand, insists that he won't debate against any "neoliberals" like Tuto. Both strategies have potential pitfalls.

Posted by Miguel at 07:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Brief update

Wow, I hardly ever post anymore. That's sad. But here's a brief update about the last few days.

Thanksgiving was great. I didn't realize that cooking for a whole family affair would be as time consuming as it was. But it was great, even if I made way too much food. And it was great to see Novalí (my adorable & smart niece) for a visit. She even drew a picture of my cats; it's up on my fridge now. Also got a chance to see my friend Matt for lunch at Tony's ("home of the giant steak sandwich") on State Street in Saginaw. Now I'm back in Kalamazoo, where Caleb & Marci are in town for a few days.

Got extensive comments on my Chapter 2 draft, so now I hope to polish up the first three chapters before heading back to my parents' for Christmas. I've three weeks, which should be plenty of time.

Bolivian elections are still on track, w/ the campaigns heating up as the last month of campaigning heats up. It's turning into a tight race between Evo & Tuto, w/ Samuel Doria Medina as spoiler. The latter is trying to spring into second place (the only chance he has, otherwise he'll have to support either Tuto or Evo, something he seems unwiling to do).

Posted by Miguel at 06:53 PM | Permalink

Evo in the Times

Technorati tag: Bolivia

A few people have asked me about a recent New York Times story on Evo Morales, wondering what my reaction was. I won't go into great detail; you can read the Times piece yourself. But a few quick comments:

Posted by Miguel at 12:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Holidays & cooking

I can't get myself logged into my parents' wifi. And they don't remember the login info. So I'm not on Kaneda, which means I won't update much until Friday. Also, I'm busy cooking seven dishes for Thanksgiving.

Posted by Miguel at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

When giants stumble

It was inevitable, I guess. But GM cutting its workforce by 17%, much of it in Michigan, is nevertheless a shock. Though I was surprised Saginaw (where I grew up) isn't directly affected. But plants are closing in Lansing, Flint, and Ypsilanti — that's a third of total plant closings.

You grow up in Michigan, on the I-75 corridor, you just absorb the impact of GM on a day-to-day basis. Guess it's time to get out of the automobile state.

Posted by Miguel at 08:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Last year was Sam's turn. This year, I'm stepping up to the plate. I'm cooking the Centellas family Thanksgiving dinner — at mom's house. So I'm starting to brush up on old recipes, and thinking about how to make the whole thing go smoothly. It's all about food, of course, but also about showing off.

So far the menu starts w/ a peanut soup. The main dish is a lamb w/ raspberry sauce, accompanied w/ a quinoa & potato casserole, Jerusalem salad, and corn-stuffed roasted tomatoes. Also, some cuscus, just for added grains. Mom's gonna help, and she's gonna make a pumpkin cheesecake.

Let's see see hot it all turns out. I'm excited.

Posted by Miguel at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

More election predictions

Technorati tag: Bolivia

It's been a few days since the most recent Bolivian pre-electoral poll came out in La Prensa (sorry, no graphic). Already MAAB & Boz have some great analysis. So I figured I'd toss in some thoughts as well. Mostly, I want to point out that this poll had some rather sophisticated questions that allow for deeper interpretations.

Posted by Miguel at 11:20 AM | Permalink

Where you at?

When your mom asks you why you haven't updated your blog in a while, it's time to update. Truth told, nothing was "wrong", I was just busy most of the time. And when I wasn't, I was out doing things w/ friends.

Posted by Miguel at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

New candidate list up

Technorati tag: Bolivia

The final, updated list of candidates for Bolivia's December elections are ready at posted at the National Electoral Court website. They were turned in yesterday afternoon. Several candidates were purged from various lists. So now I finally get a chance to go through the list voters will actually vote for — both in the list-PR ballot & the district representative "uninominal" ballot — and update my Bolivian politics wiki.

There's just over a month to go & the race is heating up. There's not been a new poll out for a while, but from the amount & type of media coverage, it looks like it's coming down to a two-way presidential race between Evo & Tuto.

Posted by Miguel at 11:53 AM | Permalink

Vinick v. Santos

Technorati tag: West Wing

Before I forget to mention this. If you missed last night's The West Wing, you really missed out. No, there wasn't lots of TV drama, w/ characters doing things, or action-packed events. It was just two guys talking about political issues. But it was amazing.

Posted by Miguel at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Election predictions

Technorati tag: Bolivia

Now that the elections are back on track, there'll soon be a new series of public pre-election polls & other coverage in Bolivian newspapers. There's also growing question of whether Evo Morales, presidential candidate for MAS, can win the presidential contest. All I can do is speculate, of course, based on month-old polling data.

Posted by Miguel at 01:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

December elections in Bolivia

Technorati tag: Bolivia

Bolivian elections are now officially postponed & set for 18 December. But the seat reapportionment is settled: President Rodriguez issued a presidential decree (DS. 28428) that gives Santa Cruz 3 more seats, Cochabamba 1 more, La Paz, Oruro & Potosí each lose 1. The solution, of course, doesn't please everyone. But it'll stand, w/ the caveat that it's only until parliament can agree to vote on a different reapportionment solution.

Interestingly, the a reapportionment done strictly according to the 2001 census should've used this formula. Not sure why La Paz bore the brunt of the decision.

Nevertheless, many candidates, social movements, and other sectors applaud the decision.

Posted by Miguel at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)