http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/ ... s0205.html

Mexicans keeping eye on American primaries
Many say they hope for Dem victory
Chris Hawley
Republic Mexico City Bureau
Feb. 5, 2008 12:00 AM

MEXICO CITY - Marco Antonio Camacho claims not to know much about politics. But when it comes to the U.S. presidential primaries, the Mexico City potato chip vendor knows whom he likes.

"Hillary Clinton, definitely," Camacho said. "Her husband was a great president to Mexicans. But I also like the Black guy: A minority president would really help your image down here."

After eight years of often-strained Mexican-U.S. relations, Mexicans like Camacho are keeping close tabs on the U.S. presidential race. Mexican television offers near-daily updates on the candidates, Mexican analysts are blogging vigorously about the primaries, and many regular Mexicans can rattle off the names of the top contenders.





One national newspaper, El Universal, has an entire section of its Web site dedicated to the primaries. One article aims to explain the baffling U.S. party symbols: "Are the Democrats really burros? Are Republicans big and heavy?" it says.

"The interest is a recognition that this process affects (Mexicans)," said Diego Beas, a political columnist for the Reforma newspaper. "People in Mexico have a stake in these primary elections."

Surveys show George W. Bush is deeply unpopular in Mexico, where many people associate him with the Iraq war, increased border security and new laws against illegal immigration. Many people here say they are hoping for a Democratic victory in November.

"If they're from the same party as Bush, they're bound to be bad for Mexico," said Gerardo Conde, a 42-year-old actuary.

Hairdresser MarÃ*a Dolores Muciño said she is a Clinton supporter because she liked Bill Clinton. In Mexico, former president Clinton is remembered fondly for helping bail out the Mexican economy after a 1994 economic collapse. His presidency also coincided with the launch of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, which has boosted Mexico's economy.

"Clinton seemed very open toward Mexico; he didn't judge us," Muciño said as she applied a set of fake eyelashes to customer Montserrat Silva. "I'm hoping Hillary would be the same way."

Despite his leading role in efforts to reform U.S. immigration laws, a key issue for Mexico, John McCain is little-known in Mexico. Mitt Romney, too, is an unfamiliar name.

Barack Obama, however, has inspired much curiosity.

"That would really be something, to see an American president who was a Black man," said Silva, a 43-year-old philosophy professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. "But I don't think the establishment will allow it. I don't think he'll be able to win the vote."