Former Gov. Carlos S. Camacho, who served from 1978 to 1982, noted that his party “is not organized and cannot provide the leadership that can convince voters to support Democrats.”
Camacho said he is not communicating with the present leadership of the Democrats “because they are not making any effort to approach” the party’s past leaders.
Their party, he added, used to be the dominant political group on the islands from the late 1950s to the 1980s.
“I’m still hopeful that the party will get itself organized and get itself running full blast. It should be done now — don’t wait until next year,” he said.
Party chairman Manny C. Sablan admitted that neither former Sen. Juan T. Guerrero nor businessman Jose C. Ayuyu has approached him regarding this year’s gubernatorial election.
Guerrero, a Democrat, is set to announce his candidacy today, while Ayuyu, who served as Camacho’s commerce and labor secretary, has already expressed his intention to seek the CNMI’s highest elected office.
Ayuyu attended the get-together last Friday with Camacho, former Lt. Gov. Francisco C. Ada and the other members of the CNMI’s first cabinet.
Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, doubts whether political parties matter in this election year.
Even in the past, elections had been competitions among individuals rather than political parties, she said.
It is now difficult to rely on the party system of the CNMI, she added.
According to Pangelinan, candidates should also consider the support of their families and friends.
Often, she said, candidates sacrifice party affiliations for family ties.
“Nobody wants to assume the party’s leadership now because even if you have all these people following you, voters will still vote for candidates they believe will serve them better,” she added.
Sam McPhetres who teaches political science at Northern Marianas College, believes that the present political environment is conducive to local Democrats.
He noted that the national Democrats will soon control both the U.S. Congress and the White House.
A Democratic administration in the CNMI, he added, will find the White House and the U.S. Congress more approachable this time.
The islands’ first congressional delegate, Gregorio C. Sablan, a Democrat who ran as Independent candidate, has aligned with the Democratic Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.
McPhetres said the people’s desire to see a new face is another “big plus” to whoever will run under the local Democratic Party, which plans to affiliate with its national counterpart this year.
