Lopez Obrador Shows Strength on 2 Fronts

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Mexico's presidential runner-up proves he commands authority within the legislature as well as on the streets to push for change.

By delivering a symbolic but stinging blow to the government of President Vicente Fox, losing presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador clinched the first round in his fight for a nonviolent revolution to transform Mexico.

The leftist leader harnessed the full support of his party's congressional delegation to block Fox from delivering his nationally televised State of the Nation speech Friday, humiliating the president and raising fears over his apparent inability to exercise authority against a growing opposition.


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"Being able to stand up united and prevent the president from delivering his speech shows the strength of the movement," Peschard-Sverdrup said.

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Mexican political analyst Leo Zuckerman said, "The real winner was Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who continues to look like a great political leader versus a president who, although still popular, has a fading image."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mexico3sep03,1,1937732.story