Student activism in 70s shaped Argentine first lady

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN2528639120071026?sp=1

Student activism in 70s shaped Argentine first lady
Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:11pm EDT

By Nicolas Misculin

LA PLATA, Argentina (Reuters) - The political beliefs of Argentine presidential front-runner Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner were forged in the country's turbulent 1970s when she was a leftist activist and law student.

Fernandez, 54, has retained the combative style of her '70s activism during an 18-year legislative career, saying she remains faithful to the ideals of social justice and human rights formed in her youth.

Polls forecast her winning 45 percent of Sunday's vote -- far ahead of closest rival Elisa Carrio, another woman lawmaker -- and succeeding her husband President Nestor Kirchner, who is popular after four years of robust economic recovery.

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Peron died the next year and his third wife, Isabel Peron, became president before being ousted by a military coup. The 1976-1983 dirty war followed and the military killed as many as 30,000 leftists and dissidents.

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Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Perhaps Andrew Lloyd Webber's had more influence than he realizes ...

She sounds like a Latin Theresa Heinz Kerry.

nt

"Argentine power couple draws Clinton comparisons"

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But there are differences too. The Kirchners are leftists and are close to Venezuela's firebrand President Hugo Chavez while Hillary Clinton is wary of the anti-U.S. leader.

Domestically, the Kirchners draw their support from the poor, while the Clintons have a more middle-class appeal.

And Fernandez is steps ahead in her quest to lead her country. She was anointed presidential candidate by her husband without a primary and is a safe bet to win, while Hillary Clinton is still fighting just for her party's nomination.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN2321978420071023?sp=1
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2144778

I wonder if they will ask Madonna to perform at the inauguration?