I suppose a posting like this is only of interest to my friends who follow news from Jamaica. But here goes anyway, for anyone who cares.
Since getting my Kindle Fire I've been messing around with it, and it turns out there's an app that gives you access to most of the newspapers of any consequence in the whole wide world.
The Daily Gleaner is the main newspaper in Jamaica and was so when I lived there from 1977 to 1979. And of course I still have an interest in the Island.
So here's an article from the Gleaner about the national election coming on December 29th, with the main parties still the PNP and the JLP.
In a sense, depressing. You think, "things never change, especially in a small third world country." But, thank God, that's not true. Things for most people really are better then when I lived there, in the disasterous years of Michael Manley and "Democratic Socialism". As least they were much better when we last visited, in 2005.
The tone of this article reminds me of - American politics.
Cliffhanger looms - Jamaicans see little difference between JLP and PNP candidates
split on candidates
At the constituency level, Jamaicans are also split on the question of which of the two major parties has nominated a candidate who can better represent the interest of their constituency. There is also an almost equal share for the PNP and the JLP as to the favourability rating of the candidates.
The Gleaner-Johnson poll found that 34 per cent of the electorate believe the JLP candidate in their constituency would be the better member of parliament, while 32 per cent say the PNP candidate would do the better job in Gordon House.
However, a sizeable number of Jamaicans (34 per cent) are undecided as to which of the candidates would be better.
The race is also a dead heat when Jamaicans are asked what is their opinion of the candidates nominated by the two major parties.
Just over three in every 10 persons (33 per cent) in each of the 63 constituencies have a favourable opinion of the JLP candidate seeking their vote.
almost equal
An almost equal number (32 per cent) have a favourable opinion of the PNP candidate.
In horse-racing terms, it would be said that only a head bob separates the two parties in terms of the unfavourability rating for the candidates, with 36 per cent of the electorate not convinced about the JLP candidate, and 37 per cent having doubts about the person the PNP has put up to run in their constituency.
A solid 31 per cent of the voters are not sure how to judge the candidates, with many persons in that group yet to meet or know the persons begging for their vote.
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