That evil Ortega who is popular just like that evil Somoza

Some opposition members fear that the Ortega's are becoming like new Somozas in Nicaragua. While the alleged corruption and concentration of power is troublesome, the comparison seems a bit silly. It's like comparing today's FMLN to the guerrilla organization that took up arms against the military regime or to the death squads that morphed into ARENA which then morphed into today's right in El Salvador.

There's a bit of truth to each but the comparisons probably obscure more than they enlighten. Even though some people are still fighting it, the Cold War has been over for nearly twenty-five years.

Anyway, the feared Ortega is supported by the poor, women, and rich businessmen (ya know, just like Somoza). And a recent survey has him nearly more popular than ever.

The survey, which collected data from face-to-face polling of 1,600 Nicaraguans across the country, shows Ortega still has a 65% approval rating among all voters. Those who identify as Sandinistas support the president with an 82% approval rating, but his approval ratings are also high among independents (44%) and members of the opposition (30%). 

The poll shows that Ortega’s approval ratings have not changed significantly over the past year, and remain remarkably improved from four or five years ago. At the end of 2009, Ortega’s approval rating among all Nicaraguans was less than half (25.8%), while only 7% of independents and 2% of the opposition supported the president. Since then Ortega has elevated his approval ratings among all demographics, including Sandinistas. 

The poll also shows solid support for the president’s social programs, especially among Sandinista party sympathizers who have benefited to greater extent from the government handouts, according to the survey results. 

Now just because he is popular doesn't mean that he is governing in a way that is consistent with the democratic rules of the game or that what he and his wife are doing today are not going to hurt in the long run.