Nichi Vendola, a gay ex-communist governor, becomes unlikely rival to Berlusconi

[Lunar]

I found this WaPo article very interesting, sorry if it's been posted elsewhere: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/19/AR2011011906191.html?sid=ST2010121305002

[Antonio the Sixth]

Yeah, I've listened to him several times on the italian media. He speaks very well, seems competent and likes to discuss about issues instead of personality. In one word, he his probably the best the left has had since long. If primaries are held late enough for me to be 18, I'll vote for him.

[Keystone Phil]

Yeah, the "Obama of Italy." Naturally, I'm not a fan.

He's a real wildcard. The fact that an openly gay communist won an election in Puglia is shocking. He barely won his first race in 2005. His re-election in 2010 was a disaster for the center - right. We had the opportunity to beat him but the UDC ran someone separate from the PdL, took about 9% of the vote and Vendola had an easy re-election.

The fact that he has won there twice is enough reason why we shouldn't underestimate him even though there were several slip ups that allowed him in. Something else that helped Nichi was his religion: he used to be known as an atheist but is now apparently a Roman Catholic, claiming that "the most important book to a communist like me is the Bible." That being said, I still think he faces a very steep hill not just in a General election but in the primary. PD tried to deny him their nomination this last time around but he ended up destroying them, taking 67% of the vote in the primary. However, that isn't going to necessarily happen across the country.

I say that I would love to see Vendola as the Left's guy at the next election because his ideology and background should sink him. That being said, this could be an example of "Be careful what you wish for."

[Insula Dei]

I say that I would love to see Vendola as the Left's guy at the next election because his ideology and background should sink him. That being said, this could be an example of "Be careful what you wish for."

If the guy's as charismatic as everyone says, he'll be okay. The idea that Italians would care about something like the background of their leaders is actually quite easy to refute,...

[Keystone Phil]

I say that I would love to see Vendola as the Left's guy at the next election because his ideology and background should sink him. That being said, this could be an example of "Be careful what you wish for."

If the guy's as charismatic as everyone says, he'll be okay. The idea that Italians would care about something like the background of their leaders is actually quite easy to refute,...

Then refute it. I'm not saying it's right but Berlusconi's personal background and Vendola's personal background are totally different for Italy. The "gay issue" aside, the guy is a "former" communist. That was fine for Italy...if it was twenty five or more years ago.

[Capitan Zapp Brannigan]

Burlusconi would have a field day running against an actual gay communist.

[Verily]

Burlusconi would have a field day running against an actual gay communist.

Maybe, maybe not. The conservative forces in traditionally righty Apulia certainly have no clue how to deal with him. He's charismatic, and that's really all Italian voters care about (more so even than elsewhere because there is a deeply ingrained sense in a lot of Italy, especially the south, that all politicians are equally evil so you should just vote for whoever is the most entertaining).

[Keystone Phil]

Burlusconi would have a field day running against an actual gay communist.

Maybe, maybe not. The conservative forces in traditionally righty Apulia certainly have no clue how to deal with him. He's charismatic, and that's really all Italian voters care about (more so even than elsewhere because there is a deeply ingrained sense in a lot of Italy, especially the south, that all politicians are equally evil so you should just vote for whoever is the most entertaining).

The problems in Puglia likely wouldn't be repeated nationally. The 2005 result was a shock. 2010 was a problem between the PdL and UDC of Puglia.

Personality and entertainment are big in Italy but to think that charisma is all that is needed is foolish. If that was the case, Prodi, of all people, wouldn't have beaten Berlusconi twice.

[Lunar]

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/01/20/confessions_of_a_sexaholic

[Lief 🗽]

Hahah, this guy is awesome.

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But Italy is still probably too bigoted to elect a gay.

[Hash]

He's way too cool and epic. Every country needs him, but no country and especially not Italy deserves him.

[Хahar 🤔]

Yeah, the "Obama of Italy." Naturally, I'm not a fan.

But I thought that was Veltroni!

[Keystone Phil]

Yeah, the "Obama of Italy." Naturally, I'm not a fan.

But I thought that was Veltroni!

Yeah, what a joke that was. People seriously suggested that. It still boggles my mind.

but no country and especially not Italy deserves him.

I hope they feel free to accept him in that cesspool to the northwest of the Boot.

[SPQR]

Yeah, I've listened to him several times on the italian media. He speaks very well, seems competent and likes to discuss about issues instead of personality. In one word, he his probably the best the left has had since long. If primaries are held late enough for me to be 18, I'll vote for him.

You have to be 16 to vote in centerleft primaries.
Anyway,I really like Vendola,even though I didn't like where he standed in the Fiat referendum issue...he might be the next centerleft leader,but talking about it now seems kind of useless. Unless there will be primaries,he will be just a minor party leader.

[Antonio the Sixth]

He's way too cool and epic. Every country needs him, but no country and especially not Italy deserves him.

You never know. Sometimes the best becomes possible.

And if the stupid left establishment manages to bar him from running, then I can only wish them to die in a fire (politically of course).

[Iannis]

In Italy, like elsewhere, but espcially in south Italy, people vote differently in administrative elections with respect to general elections. In this case the vote is more "ideologic", and less prone to consider the local politician's personality or charisma.

[Keystone Phil]

In Italy, like elsewhere, but espcially in south Italy, people vote differently in administrative elections with respect to general elections. In this case the vote is more "ideologic", and less prone to consider the local politician's personality or charisma.

Well, that wouldn't exactly make sense either. I don't see Puglia being very receptive to Vendola's brand of leftism in general. Maybe he has focused on an issue or two that has broad support. That aside, your analysis would suggest that Vendola would be even more better off in a national election since charisma and personality play more of a role in those elections.

[Iannis]

In Italy, like elsewhere, but espcially in south Italy, people vote differently in administrative elections with respect to general elections. In this case the vote is more "ideologic", and less prone to consider the local politician's personality or charisma.

Well, that wouldn't exactly make sense either. I don't see Puglia being very receptive to Vendola's brand of leftism in general. Maybe he has focused on an issue or two that has broad support. That aside, your analysis would suggest that Vendola would be even more better off in a national election since charisma and personality play more of a role in those elections.

No, quite the opposite. They play a greater role in local elections. On general elections ideology and economic issues play the biggest role.

[Keystone Phil]

In Italy, like elsewhere, but espcially in south Italy, people vote differently in administrative elections with respect to general elections. In this case the vote is more "ideologic", and less prone to consider the local politician's personality or charisma.

Well, that wouldn't exactly make sense either. I don't see Puglia being very receptive to Vendola's brand of leftism in general. Maybe he has focused on an issue or two that has broad support. That aside, your analysis would suggest that Vendola would be even more better off in a national election since charisma and personality play more of a role in those elections.

No, quite the opposite. They play a greater role in local elections. On general elections ideology and economic issues play the biggest role.

Oh, I see. You were saying "in this case" meaning nationally. I thought you meant in Vendola's case (winning and surviving in Puglia). That makes more sense. Not sure I totally agree though.

[Keystone Phil]

Appropriate timing: there were some municipal primaries over the weekend and Vendola-backed candidates apparently took a beating.