http://www.dr1.com/#1

CID poll: PLD 40.6%

The CID-Latinoamerica poll released today in the Listin Diario shows President Leonel Fernandez failing to win in the first round. In a second round vote that would take place 30 June 2008, though, Fernandez would receive 46.3% of the vote, while Vargas would be a close 45.4% behind.
In the first round tracked by CID-Latinoamerica, Fernandez (PLD) leads 40.6% to Miguel Vargas (PRD) 39%, and Amable Aristy (PRSC) 7.1%. The undecided are 12.4%. For the poll, 1,200 voters eligible to vote in the 16 May presidential election were surveyed nationwide from 26 March to 3 April.

Other recent leading poll results are:
Hamilton-El Dia - Fernandez 48%, Vargas 31%, and Aristy 19% (March 2008)
Greenberg-Diario Libre - Fernandez 53%, Vargas 37%, Aristy, 6% (26-31 March 2008)
Noxa-Cies-Clave - Fernandez 54%, Vargas 30%, Aristy 8% (25-30 March 2008)
Penn, Schoen & Berland - Fernandez 56%, Vargas 32%, Aristy 8% (4-6 March 2008)
Gallup-Hoy - Fernandez 52%, Vargas 35%, Aristy 7.5% (16-20 February 2008)

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Unfortunately Dominicans on the Island have a short memory span. They forget quickly the struggle of the past and only think about the current situation rather than thinking about the future. When Leonel lost the 2000 election to the PRD much of my family was jubilant, all the while criticizing me for my support then of LF.

I told them well lets wait and see, time will tell. And time not only told them, it gave them a spanking. But things have been better since PRD left and they have forgotten that spanking. They have developed the idea that things can’t possibly get that bad again. I am non-partisan but must admit when thinking in retrospect, he has made much progress, nonetheless, I reserve my doubts about him, as I feel he has lost focus.

I think his attention should be directed towards fighting corruption, fighting corruption, fighting corruption. Oh did I mention fighting corruption? Strengthening govt. institutions as well as improving the real quality of education. Remember the PRD mainly caters to the popular vote, and unfortunately it’s this popular vote that lacks education and resources, preventing them the ability to be properly informed of the detriment of their decision.

Because politics in the DR are not driven by sense and reality, but by money, street marketing, gifts form the candidates and of course, the argument that "in our family we always voted for the PRD and we will always vote for the PRD".

Maybe it's ignorance , who knows.
I mean who cares, that the majority of dominicans can barely get by, that to raise a child is a luxury, that if you have small to get me by business you still have to pay your monthly 16% tax,that if you don't have health insurance or money, you have to bite the bullet, that if you dont have money to pay for a good school, for your child,you have to settle for bricks, that the youth keeps turning to crime and getting killed as ladrones, because they are in need of money to survive,that there continues to be an increase of Prostitution, Political & Street wise......................

That parents have to send there kids, to shine some shoes, so that they can eat,that foreigners have to donate time and money (http://www.dominicandream.org/)because the GOV , is focusing on Expensive Projects for the FEW.

The other day there was a local teacher, that i was talking with about the schools poor conditions, and i mention to her that she, had it all wrong, that Dominicans living abroad, seem to think that they are better now, than they were 4 years ago. Her replied was "Yeah they say that because they are comfortable, while we are down here Struggling."

I think recent and past polls have demonstrated that the Dominican masses are truly confused and tired of Bourgeois electoral promises and the general structure of the current corrupt and subservient State.

Dominicans are tired, but have they done anything?. Nothing. The reality is that almost every initiative or process involving political or governmental interaction or actions, by default is tainted with a natural corrupt process that is innate in every aspect of a Dominican’s life. Dominicans will decry any unethical political or social injustice but will engage or lend themselves to the same practice given an opportunity to chooses between wealth or “what is right/just”, between speedy resolution or an elongated process..

To strip the Dominican Republic of corruption would be equal to trying to strip it of its identity, merengue, tostones rice and beans mangu, salchichon, etc. . , An arduous task. Highly improbable, but possible. Therefore, I think we should begin by borrowing from the famous quote of John F. Kennedy

“And so, my fellow Dominicans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

This is what we should be asking each other. This is what we should be asking those most capable of making and enforcing change that is positive, sustainable and equitable.

The amount of energy put into these elections in a nation of <10MM is a bit ridiculous. Then again we have seen what the Dominican character looks like under a dictator. Well I don't know the fix, but I don't think these carnivals of partisanship are it....