Mexico’s New President Promised a Revolution. Has It Begun?

here's hoping .... that he survives and that he keeps it up...if he does, Mexico will don the mantle of leadership which USA has lost.

I spend six months in Bogota where Mexico is most in folks minds for is it's music. Though just as close Mexico is to USA - Colombians otherwise seem to have no sense of what Mexico is or can be. Few vacation there. In Bogota - there are very few Mexican restaurants - if anything outlets of American chains. And the famous Mexican margarita is not a popular drink. What is popular there is Peruvian food - of course much closer than Mexico. But I have to wonder - have we not seen this movie before when it comes to Latin and Central America. Very good galloping out of the gate - but barely limping at the finish line. Hope this horse that Mexicans have hitched on - wins the Derby.

May Mexico live and prosper with their new president!

its a nice start, and not just Mexico, the world needs more people in power willing to live without so much pomp, willing to answer questions, concerned for the ordinary people and not just for the rich in the business world. But though I'm prepared for disappointment - such leaders can be overthrown (Chile) or undermined (Greece, Brazil...) or change for the worse as they seek to keep power (Nicaragua, Venezuela..) I still appreciate the hope Obrador brings and the possibility of his being a role model for others.

It's kind of amazing that this story has received basically zero coverage in most US media. We hear every last detail and speculation about the latest palace intrigue or conversation that is unearthed by the Russia probe. I wouldn't even know where to go to get more information in English.

As others have said, a terrific and historic opportunity for Mexico. However, if he actually does make progress to route out the narcos and ruling anti-democratic elite from all levels of the Mexican gov't, he will be at great risk of being assassinated.

If this is what Steve Bannon means by populism, I am all for it. Somehow, I don't think it is. Too bad.

I highly recommend AMLO's book "New Hope for Mexico". It is reveals the depth of his analysis and plans. Some similarities to Bernie Sanders but much more courageous and analytical. He analyzes Trump and what progressives (real progressives not NYT editors) should do to counter him. He identifies the problem as neoliberal economic and social policies. There are lots of interesting statistics, he names the enemies and pulls no punches. This is a very good NYT article that indicates that AMLO is off and running on the program he specified in his book.

What a gloriously inspiring read! May this fresh breath of change permeate through the rest of the world!

I recommend Spanish-speakers interested in Mexico follow AMLO on Twitter (@lopezobrador) and watch his daily live press conferences. What a breath of fresh air to hear a president answer any and all questions respectfully and clearly, unlike our current POTUS and his spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Today he was asked about census-takers wearing Morena party (AMLO's party) vests, and his answer was, "This is a crime and if it continues it will be punished, as there is no more state party, just as there are no more state unions."

Have we not seen that salute somewhere before?

This is the president Mexico has needed for so many years. Of course he won't accomplish all of the many goals he's set. But, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will leave Mexico in much better shape than when he began his presidency. He has a very long and proven track record of working hard to improve the lot of Mexico's poor. That breaks the mold of Mexican presidents going all the way back to the 1930's and the Lazaro Cardenas administration. As mayor of Mexico City, his approval rating often touched 70 percent and was the highest on record. The corrupt ruling elite naturally detest him, and their media stooges will devote themselves to nit picking him. They will ignore his major accomplishments because they fear that a president like Lopez Obrador will set Mexico on a path that does not suit their interests. Notorious politician Carlos Hank Gonzalez remarked, using a clever play on words: "A (financially) poor politician is a poor politician" In Spanish: “Un político pobre, es un pobre político” Using the modifier after the noun describes a politician who is not good at his job, and using the modifier before the noun means the politician is of modest means. Watch for that to change.

Wow, I get dizzy imagining America's working class, also desperately seeking change from its corrupt institutions but so easily taken in by an orange dotard snake-oil salesman, instead demanding THIS authentic approach, and action, from OUR president & politicians.

Wow, a president who says "Respect everyone, but give special attention to the humble" and "For the good of all, the poor first." If only America had a leader who believes that.

Birth control for every woman who wants it would help the poor the most. Choice in family planning benefits all generations.

I am hoping that the Mexico Parliament can legalize marijuana.

As someone who has travelled through Mexico many times, I can say with confidence that most Americans have no idea what extreme poverty looks like. In the United States, we have programs to help the downtrodden, the poor, and the hungry. Mexico has little to no such social support. How could they? Successive administrations - with the exception of Vicente Fox's good intentions - have been too busy enriching themselves. AMLO is a breath of fresh air. He seems to understand the principle that a country is only as strong as its weakest citizens. I'm not being pollyannaish about what he can accomplish is a country as riddled with corruption as ours, excuse me, theirs. I know he is not the Savior. But his opening salvos are significant (and not just symbolic). Viva AMLO!

Lopez Obrador is a populist unlike the USs plutocrat populist. Efforts to raise the poor and reign in the wealthy are clearly inviting scorn by the business as usual crowd. His efforts to find solutions to the caravan to the US border favor the migrants. Trump and his friends guarding the US border are going to shut down the gov't in order to maintain the fiction that the US border is under assault from disease ridden criminals.

Judging from today's headlines it appears that U.S. retirees ought to be moving to Mexico. Unless Mexico builds a wall to keep them out.

Best of luck to this president, I'm afraid he's going to make a lot of enemies...

I am thrilled to see a President actually keeping his promises. I hope he has immense integrity to continue follow through and does not get bought off by cartels or politicians. There is no reason other than corruption that the country of Mexico is as poor as it is. This country is rich in minerals and agriculture, tourism, oil....get rid of the crime, create equal rights, higher salaries and the country will flourish. There is finally hope with this new President. There is nothing more impressive than a President that fills his promises, focuses on where this country needs help and the direction it needs to go, but with honest integrity.

This is what real populism looks like and it's not a tax bill for corporations and the rich.