Cablegate: Media Reaction: Republican Election Loss

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DE RUEHSG #2351 3131603
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091603Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0355

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002351

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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: REPUBLICAN ELECTION LOSS

On November 11, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record "El
Mercurio" (circ. 129,000) ran an editorial entitled "Bush Defeated."
Quote:

"President Bush and the Republic Party have suffered a significant
defeat. The outcome...is attributed to an array of elements that
over the past year have hurt the popularity of the Republican
administration. One of them was the disaffection of the Hispanic
vote over the fence along the border with Mexico.... Another was
the management of the conduct of the war in Iraq, perceived by many
as inept and short-sighted.... The U.S. election extends beyond the
country. Few believe there will be a radical change in domestic or
international policy...or an immediate withdrawal of troops from
Iraq. The necessary negotiations between Republicans and Democrats
could cause a lack of initiative in U.S. policy, with the subsequent
cost for the rest of the world."

On November 8, conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (circ. 33,000)
ran an editorial entitled "Iraq and the Hispanic Vote in this
election."
"There is no doubt that the key of the election results was the
growing opposition to the way the White House has managed the
occupation in Iraq. There is the feeling that it will turn into a
blind alley similar to what happened with Vietnam, and which left an
open would among Americans.... Another key element was the Hispanic
vote that turned strongly in favor of the Democrats.... As for
Chile, the large issues in its relations with the United States have
been resolved.... Our diplomacy, however, should increase its
contacts with the U.S. Congress to forestall protectionist
attitudes, because Democrats are more prone to this.... However, a
House ruled by the Democrats is ideologically more consistent with
the Concertacion, and President Bachelet is more in tune with the
new speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi."

On November 9, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ.
101,000) ran an editorial entitled "The US Election and the War in
Iraq." Quote:

"By removing Secretary Rumsfeld, President Bush...has shown
political skill, because the former was becoming a burden for his
administration.... It is also clear that voters expect a change in
Iraq beyond the change of the Secretary...and that the results
should force Washington to reconsider its strategy.... Tuesday's
election could be the prelude of a Democratic Party victory for the
2008 presidential election. This creates some uncertainty regarding
Iraq, because Tuesday's election was more a rejection of Bush than a
reflection of support for the Democrats who, beyond harshly
criticizing Bush, have not presented concrete alternative
proposals.... The Republican electoral defeat therefore has
confirmed that voters are not satisfied with the war in Iraq
but...creates uncertainty on the future strategy of the United
States in this conflict."

On November 9, government-owned, editorially independent "La
Nacion", (circ. 4,200) ran an editorial entitled, "The Decline of
the Hawks." Quote:
"Donald Rumsfeld's exit from the Pentagon marks the beginning of the
fall of the hawks that, for six years, have occupied the main
offices of the U.S. government. Not only the Democrats in the U.S.
can breath today more easily. In the world there is also a sense of
relief.... Bush and his ideologues had gone too far. The rampant
arrogance installed in the White House did not leave anyone
indifferent; international organizations have suffered once and
again.... The 'war on terrorism' was a blanket to cover the
installation of fanatics to lead the world's main democracy....
Bush has trampled over the dignity of millions of men and women and
Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz have joined McCarthy and McNamara in the
gallery of shame.... Thanks to the voters who realized that it was
about time to restore decency in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."

KELLY

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