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Show ‘A16 TheSalt Lake Tribune WORLD Sunday, October31, 1999 Party Machinery M Dri ves Mexican Presidential Primary ; BY MARY BETH SHERIDAN administration and PRI hierar- tarianpractices. chy for Labastida suggests a rigged race. Charges of bias reached such a pitch that Zedillo summoned Labastida, however, rejects such arguments. He notes his popularity ratings have risen despite +Saturday morning, hundreds of -Supportersof Francisco Labastida jammed a pavilion here, shaking ;green pompoms, jangling cow- last week to emphasize that he was impartial. The president TIMES : MEXICO CITY — On crisp party leaders and PRI governors Unlike the last three Mexican the charges. And heinsists there is no parallel with the old days, whenthe government threwall of reminded them of rules barring PRIofficials from endorsing any candidate. In the new PRI, the its r ces behind PRI candi- date: What are wecalling offi- ‘longest-ruling party. The rally appeared to reflect an ‘outpouring of emotion as Mexico only journalists. ‘democracy: the first presidential convinced the party bells and cheering for the man widely seen as the leading presi- ;dential candidate for the world’s faces a milestone in its young , primaryin the Institutional Revo‘lutionary Party, or PRI. But a closer look at the crowd tshowed something different. Con- “sider Pedro Barrientos, 57, a ped- dler of used clothing. Why did he come? The wizened peddler, in a frayed T-shirt and gray slacks, ‘said he was bused in byhis local sorganization of street vendors, a -groupallied with the PRI. “If we don’t come, they don’t let us sell,” he shrugged. The PRI maybe entering a new sera of competition with its Nov. 7 primary. But the recent Labastida acked with PRI-affiliated organizations, indicated that the party's machinery continues to turn out supporters with an efficiency that would put Tammany Hall to shame. The beneficiary of the machinery appears to be Labastida, a mild-mannered longtime economist bureaucrat and widely viewed as the choice of President Ernesto Zedillo. But for the first time, being Machine Man is a mixed blessing for a PRI candidate. In aneraofstiff competition and skeptical voters, Labastida could win the primary only to find his legitimacy challenged as he heads for the July2 presiden- tial election. “If the candidate is chosen in the wrong way, without respect ing the rules,he'll be a flimsycan: didate,”” warned ManuelBartlett, one of the four contendersin the PRI primary. The affable, cautious Labasti da, 57, appearsto be all the presi. dent's man. He served as the powerful interior ministerin Zedillo’s Cabinet. defended He has Zedillo’s generally free-market economic policies. His campaign team is a virtual Who's Who of administration officials and Zedillo aides. To an American,suchalliances aren't unusual. President Clinton, for example, openly promotes the candidacy of Vice President Al Gore. But in Mexico, the president long exercised near-total control of politics. He not only hand- picked his successor; his word was “la linea,” the party line, which PRI members had to sup: port or face punishment To many Mexicans, then, the apparent support of the Zedillo party line is democracy, Zediilo declared. Despite Zedillo’s assurances, though, many Mexicans remain machinei out to ensure arLabastida victo) One sign of such supportis the vast array of PRI organizations backing Labastida. They were packed into the recent M City rally, held at a PRI union complex: the national , the national cial support?” Labastida asked in an interview with several “Doesn't a union havethe right to endorse someone? Doesn't it?” he demanded. “Isn't this in the Constitution, and in all our laws, leaders, graduates of prestigious U.S. universities who were i t as “technocrats,” ja studied in Mexico and speak English fluently Labastida built his career in the bureauer: as did recent Mexican presidents. But unlike them, Labastida also won public office, serving as governor of his native Sinaloa from 1987-92. He is often his experience, Labastida could be a bridge between the frequently bickering technocrats and more trad al politicians in the PRI, analysts say. 57-year-old candidate does repre- changes, spending more on programsto help the poor sent adifferent style fromZedilio. Labastida has defended Zedilio’s often-unpopular austeritypol- icies but insists that he will make PRI peasant union and PRI neigh- borhood association Such 27TH ANNUAL PARK CITY to members. Behind the scenes, the PRI worksdifferently. Forget Big Brother. The PRIis famous PhoneCall. “The machine workslike this: eachleader in the PRI structure Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 1Gam - 2p $2 Free) Equipment Check-in Nov 1st-Nov 4th at says [to his subordinates], ‘Lis ten, the partyline is Labastida.’ It's like a cascade,” said Jose Antonio Crespo, a political scientist who has studied the party. “PRI memberstell me this won't function like in the past, but it will function well enough for Labastidato win.” The most stunning signof such party pressure appeared last week . According to the Mexico City daily Reforma, the governor of Chiapas told a group of PRI state legislators that local offi Learn whyyour debt is your bestfirst investment! Jans Mt. Gutfitters, Park Ave, Cole Sport, Pa Ave xy, oN & ate Equip. Check-in Friday, Nov Sth 4pm-Spm and .°% Equip. 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Whether you earn $15,000 or $350,000 a year, this program will teach you how to criticized for being dull. But, with that people can do this? Isn't it in the laws ofthe party, that people can do this?” While Labastida has been labeled the president’s man, the DEBT FREE LIVING! GET COMPLETELY OUT OF DEBTIN 5-7 YEARS, INCLUDING YOUR MORTGAGE! REGISTER TODAY! 801-481-4840 CLAYTON COMMUNITY EDUCATION “One of the best ski swaps in the country” ‘T LAKE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Ski Magazine Proceeds benefit the Park City Ski Salt Lake City, Utah For More Information, carasdeas.a749 Ke cials had to turn out the vote for his candidate. “Here, we have to ucraniee the triumph ofLa Gov. Roberto Albores said, Eeroraine to the newspaper, which cited witnesses. Albores, a PRI die-hard, has denied making such a statement. But the report touched off an uproar. Asthe dispensersofstate and federal monies, governors wield enormous powerandinfluence. Two PRI presidential candidates — Roberto Madrazo and Humberto Roque Villanueva have demanded that Labastida b disqualified from the because of the incident. “Th reaching the limit of what istol. erable in a primary,” Madrazo,consideredthetop chal tenet to Labastida. ysts believe Labastida ould suffer from being dubbed the “official” candidate, even if he wins. His opponents in the PRI could cry foul andbolt the party with their followers. And in the general election, opposition candidates will likely attack a Labas: tida victory as a window-dressed version of the party's authori If you're going to customize your home,let us customize a home equity loan Mennel guards they rather Menne! throug) throug! “WwW and the stoodt usthat tell the cry for iife. Th We'd d Better Ingredients. Better Pizza. “The Papa John’s Story” (TheStory of John H. 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