Mexican voters take the "safe" approach

More Mexican election analysis.

By JULIE WATSON of the AP:
MEXICO CITY - Felipe Calderon won Mexico's presidential election not because of who he is, but because of who he isn't. After peacefully ushering in democracy only six years ago, many Mexicans were not ready to shake up the status quo and flip the country on its head with a leftist leader who promised to put its nearly 50 million poor first.

God forbid anyone threaten to put 50 million poor ahead of big business and big government. Let's hope Calderon remembers his razor-thin margin of victory. And wishing him success in doing more to "improve the daily lives" of Mexican citizens that his predecessor, Vicente Fox.

WaPo also has coverage.

Calderon was quoted as saying, "I want to establish a very constructive relationship without bowing my head and lowering my eyes to the Americans," Calderon said in heavily accented English during an interview with The Associated Press.

"I have met with President Bush several times. I have interviewed with President Bush and several members of the American Congress, and I know it's possible to establish a more constructive relationship, and that would be very good for both countries."

From Crooks & Liars:

Too bad Bush doesn't remember these meetings. Who is lying?