For those of you who have no idea who Jaime Bayly is: Is that rock you’ve been hiding under heavy, and stuff? It’s quite easy to describe this character in one word: controversial. This Peruvian journalist got his late-night talk show, El francotirador, in 1991. Still doesn’t ring a bell? Well, then, maybe La mujer de mi hermano or No se lo digas a nadie can refresh your memory? Both movies were based on Bayly’s books. Due to his free-spirited character, he was soon called “El niño terrible” (L’enfant terrible) by his fellow countrymen. I could mention his infamous stunts, but then I could be here sitting for hours!
But just to give you a slight idea: Jaime’s adventures have no limits; the man aims high. And when I say high, I mean presidential high. Yes, he revealed in his TV show last month that he will be running for president. The next elections in Peru will be held at the end of the 2011, and Jaime is not wasting any time. Although he said he is not investing any money on a campaign, he’s still getting followers to lend a helping hand. There are a bunch of banners in Lima with “Jaime Bayly Presidente” written all over them.
Now, do I think he’s going to win? No. Does he think he’s going to win? Negativo. But he does believe in fighting a lost war. He’s aiming to legalize drugs, abortion and gay marriages, and he wants to get rid of the army. Do people agree with him? Hah! And yet another Hah! Peru is one of the most conservative countries there is! He is fighting a lost war, indeed.
A few days ago, while I was in Lima, I watched the news and found out that the Catholic church is against Bayly. The archbishop of Lima called him a “clown.” Isn’t it ironic that right after the news, he had a comedian named Tongo write a song for his campaign right in his show? And the darned thing is truly hilarious. To my delight, politics are not about stiff men in suits anymore, but rather, the whole thing has become a circus. Bayly still has more than a year of campaign ahead of him… Let’s see what else he’s going to pull out of his hat.