The Great Brazil Topic

[RodPresident]

President Rousseff already begun her cabinet reshuffle. Some days ago, Fernando Haddad left Education to run for São Paulo's mayor by PT and was replaced by PT giant former senator Aloizio Mercadante, who was in Science and Technology portfolio. In turn, he was replaced by Marco Raupp, a non-partisan physicist, who was serving as President of Spatial Agence.
Today, embattled Minister of Cities Mario Negromonte (PP-BA) resigned after denounces that he met with a lobbyst and that a project was altered only to provide gains for builder. He'll go back to Chamber and he'll be replaced by freshman Aguinaldo Ribeiro (PP-Paraiba). New minister is son of former Congressman Enivaldo Ribeiro (imbroiled in leeches' schem) and mayor of Pilar Virginia Borges. This will help campaign of his sister Daniela Ribeiro to Campina Grande mayoral job. His nomination was criticized by Landless Peasants Movement, because his grandfather Aguinaldo Veloso Borges was appointed as intellectual author of peasants activists. In PP Chamber Leadership, he should be replaced by Arthur Lira, son of Senator Benedito de Lira (Alagoas).

[RodPresident]

Terrific Idea, my friend.
Now, Dilma nominated her former prison mate Eleonora Menicucci to Secretary of Women, replacing Iriny Lopes, who's going to run for Vitória (ES) mayoralship. New minister is Professor of Federal University of São Paulo, non-partisan, and she said that she's pro-choice.
In Bahia, police strikes goes on. Governor Wagner offered amnesty to non-violent strike acts, and a salarial growth until 2015. Strikers want first stage (governor offered to November) now and 2nd stage by next year. Legislative Assembly is occupied by strikers, since last week, and is besieged by army troops since last Sunday.

[RodPresident]

Policeman that occupied Legislative Assembly of Bahia left building this morning, after phone recordings were released saying about vandalism plans by their leader, former policeman (expelled in 2002) Marcos Prisco. Prisco, who is affiliated to PSDB, was talking with another striker about blocking Rio-Bahia highway and burning of police vehicles. He's imprisioned at Army quarters in Salvador.
Rio de Janeiro's policemen and firefighters are also planning a strike (or a mutiny) too. State Deputy Janira Rocha (PSOL) was giving orientation to firefighter corporal Benevenuto Daciolo who led protest at Rio de Janeiro to prevent a compromise in Bahia before Rio's strike. Daciolo was imprisioned after plane where he was landed at Rio from Salvador.
Senator Eduardo Suplicy, famed by citing famous musics during his Senate discourses, gave an eulogy to popular singer Wando, died yesterday. He cited some musics.

[RodPresident]

Imagine when Reginaldo Rossi go to Heaven..."Garçom, aqui nessa mesa de bar...". Senator Suplicy is one of the reasons that our Senate is paradise.

[RodPresident]

Kassab won't run, as he replaced Serra in mayoral job, but he's pushing a candidacy of Lieutenant Governor Guilherme Afif Domingos by his big-tent PSD. Kassab with his move towards center got a high unpopularity.
Serra has already ruled out running. He's going more unsatisfied with PSDB and wants to run 2014 again for presidency. He can join PPS (former commies who became right wing) to achieve that. I believe that he won't run because his bad polling numbers only in low 20s with high name recognition and 35% of unfavorability.
PSDB is going to have primaries in March. There are four candidates. Ricardo Tripoli (a enviromentalist congressman), José Aníbal (veteran former chairman of PSDB), Bruno Covas (State Enviroment Secretary and grandson of former governor Mario Covas) and Andrea Matarazzo (State Culture Secretary and Serra's candidate, he's also a close cousin of Senator Suplicy).
And now, PT. Marta wanted to run, but Lula is the owner of party and insisted to put Fernando Haddad, former Minister of Education as candidate.
In polls without Serra, who's leading is Celso Russomano, now in PRB (UCKG's party).
http://datafolha.folha.uol.com.br/po/ver_po.php?session=1176

[RodPresident]

Two news. One good and bad about former President Lula:
The bad. Lula is back in hospital due to stress and difficulties to eat. He'll end radiotherapy this week and treatment is very hard.
The good. Medical exams say that his tumor disappeared. He'll go to last sessions of radiotherapy only for precaution and he'll be submited to reviews during 5 years.
In Bahia, police strike ended. After audiotapes were released, strikers' movement was weakened. Strikers accused media of editing audiotapes.
Now, Gabriel Chalita (PMDB) is receiving accusations of self-plagiarizing in his 2nd masters thesis about 16th century political philosophy (Maquiavel and La Boétie). He said that he made that under suggestions of his teacher.
This Sunday is a great day. We're going to have our first game under our new manager Paulo Roberto Falcão against landfill's team Vitoria. Bora Bahêa, minha p...

[RodPresident]

PSDB State Legislative Caucus in São Paulo appealed to Serra run saying that he's only competitive guy in the party. Believe or not, but Serra is going to be trounced. I believe that Chalita will win this thing.
PDT's running-mate to controversial trade unionist Paulinho da Força can be Joaquim Grava, doctor for Corinthians, most popular soccer team in São Paulo.

[RodPresident]

Carnival ended and champions were:
Sao Paulo: Mocidade Alegre - School paid a hommage to writer from Bahia Jorge Amado, who would complete 100 years, if alive, this year. Amado also served as commie congressman between 1946 and 1947 for São Paulo
Rio de Janeiro: Unidos da Tijuca - School lead by carnavalesco Paulo Barros, famous by human allegories, talked about Luiz Gonzaga, king of Baião, who would go 100 years this year too. Not a great parade, but fine.
Gavioes da Fiel, school who paid an hommage to Lula, ended in 9th place due to break-tie criteria with more 3 schools. Former First Lady Marisa Leticia went to parade, but Lula stayed at home after ending his cancer treatment.
Now, a sad news. Singer Pery Ribeiro, first to record "Girl from Ipanema", died today at 74. He was son of singer Dalva de Oliveira and composer Herivelto Martins.

[RodPresident]

Now, it's official, José Serra jumped in São Paulo's municipal contest. Bruno Covas and Andrea Matarazzo already dropped out.

[RodPresident]

Senator Crivella (PRB-RJ) was nominated to Fisheries' portfolio, replacing Luiz Sérgio (PT-RJ). Maybe this a maneuver to please PRB and UCKG in municipal elections and make PRB to support Haddad in São Paulo. Crivella is nephew to Bishop Edir Macedo, leader of UCKG. Luiz Sérgio will go back to Chamber.
In São Paulo, Tiririca said that he can run for mayoral job for PR. In Rio, PR, led by former governor Garotinho announced an alliance with Cesar Maia's DEM. Cesar's son, Federal Deputy Rodrigo Maia will go for mayoral job, while Garotinho's daughter, State Deputy Clarissa will be running mate.
DEM said that they can support Serra only if PSDB support their guys in Salvador (Antonio Carlos Magalhães Neto) and Recife (Mendonça Filho). DEM is negotiating an alliance with Gabriel Chalita (PSDB).

[RodPresident]

Former Congressman Fernando Santanna, a legendary communist, died today at 96 years in Salvador. He served 4 terms in congress (1959-63; 1963-64; 1983-87; 1987-91) and was expelled after Military Coup in 1964. He served his first 2 terms as PTB's member and 3rd as PMDB, while communists were illegal. He was Honorary President of Popular Socialist Party, heir to old PCB (now a subbordinate to PSDB). RIP!

[RodPresident]

Alagoas' justice refused to former Deputy Francisco Tenório (PMN) to resume his work of police sheriff. He was with an ankle monitor because links with homicides.
New poll in São Paulo:
José Serra (PSDB) 30% (+9%)
Celso Russomano (PRB) 19% (+2%)
Netinho de Paula (PC do B) 10% (-1%)
Paulo Pereira da Silva (PDT) 8%
Soninha Francine (PPS) 7% (-2%)
Gabriel Chalita (PMDB) 7% (+1%)
Fernando Haddad (PT) 3% (-1%)
Luiz Flavio D'Urso (PTB) 1% (-1%)
Levy Fidelix (PRTB) 1%
Soninha won't run and PPS will endorse Serra. Netinho too because he's unelectable due to domestic violence history.
Serra had a gaffe. He said that Brazil stayed as "United States of Brazil", name of country until 1967.

[RodPresident]

News:
A nominate for Terrestrial Transports Agency was defeated in Senate, because PMDB's dissidency. Bernardo Figueiredo was being accused of corruption by Senator Roberto Requião.
A new point in cabinet reshuffle. Afonso Florence (PT-BA) will be replaced by Pepe Vargas (PT-RS) at Ministry of Agrarian Development.
In Bahia, former CEO of Petrobras José Sérgio Gabrielli took oath of office as new Secretary of Planning. He's being rumored to become PT nominee to governorship.

[RodPresident]

Somedays after taking a leave from it functions, Ricardo Teixeira resigned as president of Brazilian Confederation of Football, after 23 years at job, like as chairman Local Organizer Committee of World Cup of 2014. He oficially resigned due to health problems, but he was suffering with a bad relationship with Joseph Blatter, President of FIFA and President Dilma Rousseff. Things began to turn bad to him after Andrew Jennings' investigation about ISL who linked him and his former father-in-law, João Havelange (former FIFA President) to bribes of more than $100 million. Last month, accusations surfaced about a scheme where a company linked to Teixeira and President of Barcelona received R$ 9 million from Federal District government to realize a game between Brazil and Portugal.
Teixeira's resignation was well received by Brazilian politicians. World champion of 1994, Congressman Romário (PSB-RJ) said that a "cancer was extirpated". He'll be replaced by oldest Vice President of CBF, José Maria Marin, who served as Governor of São Paulo between 1982 and 1983 (he was lieutenant of biggest crook in Brazilian politics - Paulo Salim Maluf). Marin, who'll chair organization of WC 2014 from now, had a gaffe saying that he'd be helped by Romário as assistant chairman, while the true thing is that Ronaldo is serving at that job.
In Senate, after ANTT debacle, Dilma replaced long-serving Romero Jucá (PMDB-RR) as leader of government by Eduardo Braga (PMDB-AM), one of dissenting voices in party.

[RodPresident]

Yesterday, in a primary who was seen as mere formality, José Serra won PSDB primary for municipal election in São Paulo with 52.1%. José Aníbal got 31.2 and Ricardo Tripoli, 16.7%. This is seen as weak victory and looks that Serra will have a hard time to win municipal election.
In Chamber, Dilma switched leader Candido Vacarezza (PT-SP) for Arlindo Chinaglia (PT-SP).
In Salvador, mayor João Henrique (PP) can have accounts rejected by town councillors, after Opinion by Municipalities Account Trial.
DEM Senate Leader Demostenes Torres (GO) is under serious problems for links with bicheiro Carlinhos Cachoeira, same responsible by Waldomiro Diniz's scandal. He used links with politicians to get protection. Another involved are Sandes Jr. (PP-GO) and Carlos Alberto Lereia (PSDB-GO).

[RodPresident]

Demostenes Torres' situation is turning worse. He had to resign DEM's leadership that is now with President of DEM and former leader, José Agripino Maia (RN). PSOL requested an ethics' inquiry. Now, tapes were released showing that Demostenes was lobbying for a law project to protect Cachoeira's interests. Now, senator can be expelled of DEM and lose his mandate.

[RodPresident]

Mayor João da Costa (PT) will be primaried in Recife, Pernambuco by licensed Congressman and Secretary of Pernambuco's government Mauricio Rands (PT). Former mayor João Paulo can join primary too. Many say that Rands has Campos and Lula support.
Another in Cachoeira's scandal. Actor Stepan Nercessian who is Congressman for PPS-RJ received R$ 170,000 from Cachoeira. He said that some of money was to buy tickets for Cachoeira in Rio's Carnival, while another money went to buy an apartment, but that was given back.

[RodPresident]

More news: To not be expelled, Senator Demostenes Torres (GO) resigned DEM whip. Congressman and actor Stepan Nercessian (PPS-RJ) announced that he'd leave politics. Now, chief-of-staff to governor Marconi Perillo (PSDB-GO) resigned after her links with Carlinhos Cachoeira were exposed.
In São Paulo, Carlos Giannazi won PSOL's mayoral nomination nomination after a town hall series with other candidates, like Ivan Valente.
In Teresina, after Rejane Dias (PT), wife of senator Wellington Dias, dropped out, former Mayor Firmino Filho has a massive lead, with 52.1% of voters. Federal Deputy Marllos Sampaio (PMDB) has 17.1%, incumbent mayor Elmano Ferrer (PTB) has 13.9% and Atila Lira (PSB) has 7.2%.

[RodPresident]

Poll Porto Alegre/RS - IBOPE
Manuela D'Ávilla (PC do B) - 37%
José Fortunati (PDT-inc) - 28%
Paulo Borges (DEM) - 6%
Ibsen Pinheiro (PMDB) - 4%
Adão Vilaverde (PT)/Nelson Marchezan Jr. (PSDB) - 2%
Manuela is favourite to win.
Curitiba/PR
Gustavo Fruet (PDT) - 26%
Ratinho Jr. (PSC) - 24%
Luciano Ducci (PSB-inc) - 16%
Rafael Grecca (PMDB) - 7%
Dr. Rosinha (PT) - 4%
Renata Bueno (PPS) - 2%
I think that Ducci (he's PSB, but runs as right-winger) has good chances to win, although he is 3rd. Fruet should get PT endorsement.

[RodPresident]

Our political formation and coalition things. Some parties are so similar (PT and PC do B) that elections between them are more because personal reasons than that. PT and PSDB candidates are also unknown by now. Manuela has appeal to PT voters.
Beto Richa is by polls a very popular governor, but his candidate in Curitiba, Luciano Ducci (PSB), is trailing at polls. PT decided to endorse Fruet to Curitiba mayoral job.
Puccinelli's son and his candidate for Campo Grande mayoral job are being accused of forging evidences of vote buying against a political rival. Puccinelli is a crazy man, that promised to rape former Enviroment Minister.
PPS was a left-wing party until 2004. Roberto Freire is now a PSDB's subbordinate.

[RodPresident]

Soninha is very loyal to Serra, but she says to be left-wing and pro-Marijuana and pro-choice.
PSDB candidate will be Aécio. Richa will have a hard time to be re-elected as PT candidate will be charismatic Chief of Staff Gleisi Hoffman who'll have federal government by her. And there are appearing evidences of Richa's links with Cachoeira's scheme.
CPI of Cachoeira will be chaired by Senator Vital do Rego (PMDB-PB) and related by Deputy Odair Cunha (PT-MG).
New Minister of Labour will be Brizola Neto (PDT-RJ). He's grandson to legendary leader Leonel Brizola and greatnephew to former president João Goulart.

[RodPresident]

In Brazil, we call media as Party of Coupist Press (Partido da Imprensa Golpista).
In Cachoeira's Inquiry Committee, there are some ilustrious and controversial members, like Senator Cassio Cunha Lima (PSDB-PB), expelled of governorship because vote buying, and Fernando Collor de Mello (PTB-AL), of history that all of us know.

[RodPresident]

He lost mandate through Electoral Justice in 2009. 2nd placed candidate, José Maranhão (PMDB) served what remained of term, but was defeated in 2010 election.

[RodPresident]

Coutinho is being a very unpopular governor, with some difficulties at Legislative Assembly.
Now, Dilma has chosen members of Commission of Truth, about military dictatorship murders and violence.
A sad note: Neiva Moreira, former congressman from Maranhão, has died at 94. His birth city was Nova Iorque of Maranhão. He was founder of PDT (Brizolist party) and one of most notorious opponents of Sarney family. In 2010, he endorsed Serra. RIP!

[RodPresident]

PT Recife primary: Mayor João da Costa (PT) and State Secretary Mauricio Rands (PT) are fighting through Justice because PT primary, yesterday. Costa won, but Rands claims a lot of irregularities. Rands was endorsed by former mayor João Paulo Lins e Silva, senator Humberto Costa and has undercover support of Governor Eduardo Campos (PSB), who is married with a cousin of him. Senator Armando Monteiro Neto (PTB) ruled out support for PT after controversies.
In national PT ads, former president Lula appears with Fernando Haddad, his handpicked candidate in São Paulo.