As I have for several years now, the question is how many countries in this hemisphere (other than the United States) will the president mention in tonight's State of the Union.
This year's over/under: 3.5
You get bonus points for naming the specific countries that will be mentioned.
Last year those readers who took the over (2.5) won big as the president named five other countries (Brazil, El Salvador, Chile, Colombia, Panama).
Here's the number of countries mentioned for the last few years:
2011: 5
2010: 3
2009: n/a
2008: 6
2007: 1
2006: 0
2005: 0
Let me know your guess for this year in the comments or on Twitter.
8 comments:
I'm going to be optimistic for once and go with the over. Panama, Colombia, Mexico and Brazil.
Think I'll take the under as I believe he'll spend more time on the Eurozone. Let's try Mexico and Colombia
Mexico, Brazil, and one Central American country that has recently made headlines for violence and/or the drug trade (can't decide between Guatemala and Honduras).
I think he'll focus on the Eurozone and Asia, but I'm still going to go with the over. I think Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Central America as a region will get brief mentions. And maybe an oblique reference to Venezuela.
I'll go over with the following: Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico and Brazil.
Based on the text I've seen, looks like the "under" wins. Only mentions of Colombia and Panama.
Hooray for me, I guess ;>)
I suppose the focus on domestic issues was inevitable given the presidential elections are just around the corner. But the lack of attention to Latin America is still disappointing.
This year Colombia hosts the Summit of the Americas. With the OAS losing traction and relevance President Obama had a good opportunity to communicate his commitment to the OAS and the Summit. 'Equal partners', shared agendas etc etc...
Also in 2012 Mexico chairs the G20 - arguably one of the principle vehicles - for coordinating a global response and recovery to the financial crisis and Euro crisis.
Brazil deserved a mention given its growing importance not only in the Americas but on a global scale. It is after all meant to be one of the US's main partners in the region.
Haiti - well the scandalously slow pace of recovery and development is not the sole responsibility of the US. But Haiti does happen to be on its door step. A sharing of solidarity for those suffering would have been appreciated.
Finally, Venezuela. Chavez's anti-US rhetoric may be a lot of hot air but the US could still use this example as means to project their own vision of hemispheric relations that does not necessarily completely contradict Chavez but emphasizes core shared values - security, democracy, and human rights etc.
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