SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
SOUNDING BOARD
Monday, December 30, 2002
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President Arroyo will not run for president in 2004: feigned retreat?
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines in a very unusual announcement, said on Monday she would not run in 2004 elections, citing the negative effects of political infighting in the country.
Arroyo was elected vice-president under president Joseph Estrada and took over the presidency in January 2001 when Mr. Estrada was ousted in a popular revolt backed by army generals and the influential Roman Catholic church, dubbed as EDSA II (a popular revolt also happened in 1986 when the dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ousted).
Ms. Arroyo foresees that the 2004 elections may be the most bitterly contested elections so far in Philippine history because of the deep political and social divisions Filipinos now have. Tell me something new.
Is this is a feigned retreat? One of the most unusual tactics in war is a feigned retreat. It seeks to draw enemies out of their defensive positions so that they can be defeated - appearing to withdraw, buying some time until the opponent lets down their defenses, or exposes a vulnerable position or, until some time that the retreating party has gained mass support.
The last implication - gaining mass support (through donations and projects for the masses without being interpreted as campaign tactic) - may well be effective for Ms. Arroyo for some time. But she will not completely fool her opponents and the not-so-gullible minority among the Filipinos.
The feigned retreat tactic in politics is quite unusual --- especially for a traditional politician like Ms. Arroyo.
posted by Allan at 9:00 AM (GMT+8)
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