Obama just shook hands with RAUL CASTRO....

[Mika]

211. At the same time they can use google to find out that Obama is Kenyan.

Google is no substitute for having the actual experience of being there during entire elections seasons.
I have been. You? No. So, go ahead & spread your uninformed opinion, but it is just that .. opinion, not the actuality.
Have a nice day.
[hr]

For all DUers (other than the underinformed & intransigent poster I am responding to) interested in how Cuba's election system actually works - that I have witnessed and participated in myself ...

HOW DOES THE CUBAN POLITICAL SYSTEM WORK?
http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/faq-answer.asp?faqid=7

Casting doubt upon the Cuban political system is a fundamental pillar of the US-led anti-Cuban campaign, often neglecting to mention that elections take place every five years and there have been turnouts of over 95% in every election since 1976. In addition, a number of constitutional reforms have taken place in Cuba since the 1959 revolution in an effort to improve the government’s responsiveness to the needs and views of the population.

Elections in Cuba have two phases, firstly, delegates are elected to the Municipal Assembly every two and a half years and then secondly, from this deputies are elected to the National Assembly every five years. The Assembly is the country’s highest legislative power.

From the members of the National Assembly the Council of State is elected. It acts on behalf of the National Assembly between sessions. The National Assembly also appoints the Council of Ministers, the government’s highest executive and administrative body. In the event of a Presidential succession in Cuba, it will be the National Assembly that elects the new President.

Features of elections in Cuba include:
• Suffrage is universal to those over 16 years of age
• Voting is secret
• Votes are counted publicly, with anyone able to attend including press
• Anyone elected must receive more than 50% of valid votes, meaning that in a number of constituencies voting goes to a ‘second round’

One virtually unique feature inherent in the Cuban political system is the voters’ right to recall delegates who are not fulfilling their mandate. The aim of this is to ensure that assembly members carry out their mandates effectively.

The way candidates are nominated in the Cuban system is also unique, with the aim of ensuring those elected are rooted and supported in the local community:

• Anybody can be nominated to be a candidate for election. It is not a requirement to be a member of the Communist Party

• Neither money nor political parties or orators have a place in the nomination process. Instead, individuals directly nominate those who they think should be candidates

• These nominations take place at urban and rural community meetings where residents select the nominees by raising their hands

• In each electoral district the maximum number of candidates is eight with a minimum of two