My Vote

The moment has arrived for deciding whom to vote for. This is the moment when each citizen must translate his or her experience and responsibility into a vote. Each of the contenders has assets and liabilities and each of these entails a distinct vision of the future. I shall make use of this space to explain my vote.
In an open society, the citizens decide who will govern them by placing a mark on a ballot, an action apparently small and insignificant but one that constitutes a fundamental decision. With this mark, the citizen summarizes his/her vision and expectations for achieving a better life. Although we can like one candidate more than another, what’s crucial is who will know how to respond when the time comes for decision-making under crisis circumstances that, by definition, are not predictable and that are not to be found in any script. At that moment –which always presents itself-  the only thing that counts is the president’s strength and personality, that is, his or her character. There is no perfect translation of this word into Spanish but the concept embodies the backbone, values, and vision of the person in charge. That’s why the person matters.
In the past months, the candidates have bombarded us with communiqués and discourses. Much of that will end up among the dregs of history because the heat of the battle generates proposals and ideas that are not always feasible (or desirable) once a leader is in government. Whoever wins the election will have to define not only objectives and strategies, but also the personnel who will be responsible for putting these into practice. Mexicans have already seen the costs of poorly equipped and/or loyal teams. A professional and exceptionally qualified team that takes on wrongs, independently of their party provenance, will be key.
The context that characterizes the country requires very special skills. Precisely at the moment of greatest change and turbulence in the country and throughout the world (1994-2012), we’ve had three presidents who did not possess the political skills to rally opponents and confront these heretofore unparalleled challenges. In the next six years, the country will have to achieve at least two things: first, an internal political reconciliation that lays the foundation for a new regime: a country of institutions; and second, the transformation of the economic structures to eliminate the privileges, monopolies, and wellsprings of favoritism that result in such poor economic-growth rates. Who among the candidates has the capacity and vision to advance these objectives, all the while maintaining stability?
From my perspective, there are four factors or essential attributes that define the best person to govern us. First, his/her values, world view, and concept of the citizen vis-à-vis the government. Second, his or her executive talent, the function for which a president is elected: the capacity to define objectives; assemble teams; supervise subordinates, and respond when the circumstances take a turn. Third, the ability and disposition to negotiate with adversaries. Finally, the integrity to maintain the equanimity and clarity of vision in order not to veer off course in good times and bad.
My vote goes to the candidate who presents the best combination of these attributes. In terms of values, she believes in personal freedom as the essence of life, respect beliefs and preferences distinct from hers, has an inbred concern for poverty and inequality, and knows that only by joining together -a coalition- and building institutions can the country achieve what it requires to change and to build anew. The ethics of this candidate is that of a citizen that entered politics as an adult and who separates the personal from the public with absolute clarity. She has a particular conviction comprising equality of opportunity for all, beginning with those who have had the greatest disadvantages in life.
Over the past decade, I observed Josefina Vázquez-Mota as Minister of Social Development, of Education, and as leader of the PAN contingent in the Congress: in each of these posts she exhibited amazing executive capacity, far superior to her two bosses, Fox and Calderon. As chief she knew how to put together the best teams, she got rid of those who didn’t function, she exacted precise accountability of their work, and had no problem working with people more capable than she. I imagine her to be perfectly willing and capable to invite the best to be on her team, independently of party or ideology: those who can indeed deliver to resolve the problems of the country. She is not an expert in all matters; thus, she seeks out the best talent, without limiting herself to members of her in-group. When she is not acquainted with an issue, she asks and has a prodigious capacity for understanding and acting.
At the Mexican Ministry of Education (SEP) she demonstrated negotiating capacity and had no difficulty coming to terms with the union  boss and leading her toward an innovative reform: the end of the sale of teaching positions and compensation for teachers based on pupil performance in standardized tests, both anathema for the union. When the hurricanes hit, she knew the most acute poverty and despair and took resolving causes upon herself, not only to attenuate the symptoms: she changed and institutionalized the Oportunidades program and eliminated politicization in dispensing foodstuffs and other support.
She entered politics as a citizen and has not stopped being one. She understands the country’s mood and what she has accomplished has been the product of her effort, capacity, sensitivity, and vision. She is not dogmatic and above all, she is a person endowed with common sense.
I met Josefina more than twenty years ago because one day I listened to her on the radio and I immediately invited her to join CIDAC (she did not accept). Throughout all these years, I have seen her at successful moments and at difficult moments. Always, even under the worst circumstances, she knew how to regroup and go on. Like all humans, she has fallibilities but her history shows an enormous capability for learning and self-control. Behind the smile that captivates her audiences there is a calculating politician who has demonstrated again and again the capacity to make decisions, to twist arms, and to engage with her interlocutors, even the most difficult of these. What many interpret as softness is no more than a willingness to listen and join in: while in the Congress, she dominated the House of Representatives and made possible the approval of practically the entire president’s agenda. She stands in no fear of the most dangerous affairs. When she acts, no one can stop her.
It is evident that the three contenders possess valuable qualities and experiences. However, I am convinced that only she brings together the best combination of attributes, capacities, and vision. I am also certain that only she has the capacity to bring together the team that is most qualified to resolve the problems of security, economy, employment, and institutional structure because she is not afraid to invite onboard those who have the abilities and to give them her undivided support to achieve it. It’s time we had somebody in the presidency who wears the pants.