Posted on 10/27/2007 11:58:44 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) -- Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said Friday his native country and the United States would benefit from electing a female president.
The reason, Fox said, is that women in leadership have different characteristics than their male counterparts. These traits have long been embraced by businesses across the world, he said, but they have yet to take hold in government.
``Maybe it is because having kids is such a special thing. ... (Women) think about the future more, they think about their children,'' he said during a lecture at Buena Vista University in northwest Iowa.
During an afternoon session with about 800 students and faculty, Fox took questions and offered a free range of opinions on issues such as corruption in Mexico and the merits of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Fox said he was an honest leader, setting himself apart from former Mexican leaders by being the first to release his personal finances to the public.
Fox also reminded the audience of his commitment to remain in Mexico after he left office. He said his decision prompted criticism from people who were not used to his style.
``We decided to go against the culture that a former president is not allowed to participate. We decided to stay in Mexico. We decided to work for the future,'' said Fox, who ended 71 years of Institutional Revolutionary Party rule with his historic election in July 2000.
He later added, ``It's like Don Quixote said. 'Sancho, if dogs are barking than we are advancing.' That is what's happening in Mexico right now.''
When asked by a student if the United States was losing its greatness, Fox seemed to take a jab at President Bush.
``The core values that make this nation great are just that, core values,'' he said. ``It is just that, sometimes, they are lost and need to be recuperated.''
Fox also complained of the United States' trade arrangement with Mexico, saying that Americans are slow to accept that the ``world is flat'' a reference to Tom Friedman's best selling book about globalization.
``God did not create borders,'' he said. ``He did not create divisions.''
At an evening session with about 220 invitees, Fox defended Mexican immigrants in the United States as ``those who take risk, those who will leave their families and go out to work for them.
``That's why I admire so much the Mexican people here,'' he said. ``They make your life better, maybe they build your homes. ... They are here because they are needed.''
Fox repeated his skepticism and concern about the United States' plan to build a wall along its southern border.
``That was not the spirit of those who came to found this nation,'' Fox said.
``This is a land of immigrants, a great nation, a leader in the world. That's why I don't understand building a wall.''
Fox was scheduled to attend another campus event Saturday morning before departing.
will someone send this slimey greaser packing?.....
Of course, the America hating Fox would love to see hillary Clinton in the White House.
I just wish he'd stay in Mexico! He has a home in McAllen Texas close to Rob Allyn, his propagandist. But then Allyn also has worked for George Bush. Such a tidy little mess.
Vinney, vinney, vinney, just go back to your marijuana farm and eat pooh.
You first, Foxy!!! You get a lady elected in Mexico first.
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