It is interesting to see how the politicians must carefully seek their rivals in their juggle to make it to the second round and win. Both the PRD and the PLD covet the vote of the PRSC members. The PRSC is in a distant third place, according to the most reliable opinion polls, such as the Gallup-Rumbo one, and now the two parties are trying to attract its supporters. The PLD has had a head start and appears to be the party that will confront the PRD in a second round. The PRD fears the PRSC will then team up with the PLD, and must therefore play to the sympathies of the Reformistas, with talk of a government of consensus. The PLD on the other hand is appealing to disgruntled PRSC voters. All combinations are possible as the electoral permutations advance.
The incongruities and difficult challenges facing the campaign strategists continues. For instance, Jacinto Peynado needs the political support of President Balaguer, and for the esteemed statesman to campaign with him. But on the other hand, because of all the adverse connotations of the Balaguer administration, he needs to distance himself from that element.
Antonio Gil, commenting in El Caribe, commented on how José Francisco Peña Gómez of the PRD in a recent important campaign speech blamed President Balaguer for all the problems of Dominican society. He did not mention Jacinto Peynado, the presidential candidate of the PRSC, a principal rival. Neither did he mention the Reformistas. Obviously, Peña Gómez is counting on receiving a share of Reformista votes in case a second round is necessary.