SANDINISTA LEADER ORTEGA POISED TO WIN NICARAGUA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Sandinista Leader Ortega Poised to Win Nicaragua Presidential Election Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega has a clear lead in Nicaragua's presidential election. With votes tallied from more than 60 percent of polling stations, Ortega has over 38% of the vote, nearly 8 points ahead of his conservative, Washington-backed rival Eduardo Montealegre. The race has drawn heavy attention from the Bush administration and U.S. officials have threatened economic sanctions and withdrawal of aid to Nicaragua if Ortega is elected.