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Instituto Federal Electoral/Handout/via Reuters TV
Former Playboy model and presidential debate assistant Julia Orayen hands out cards to the four candidates during a televised debate Sunday night at the Federal Electoral Institute in this still image taken from video.
A former Playboy model clad in a revealing white dress stole the show at a somber presidential debate in Mexico focused on the economy and drug-related violence.
Wearing a tight-fitting white dress with a cut below the neckline to show much of her cleavage, Julia Orayen was working as an assistant on the televised debate.
At the start of Sunday night's debate, Orayen walked in front of the camera to hand out cards to the four candidates, creating an immediate stir on online social media.
The appearance lasting a few seconds quickly began trending on Twitter, generating thousands of mentions. Mexican newspaper Excelsior declared her the online winner of the debate.
"The best was the girl in white with the cleavage at the beginning," tweeted former Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda, who is also a New York University professor.
At least one candidate was seen gawking at Orayen's posterior from the dais. Gabriel Quadri, who is drawing single-digit support as the candidate of the New Alliance party, said her appearance made him nervous.
"It is impossible not to concentrate your attention on a woman so spectacular," Quadri told MVS Radio.
While many Mexicans celebrated Orayen, others condemned the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) for the incident, saying it had undermined the seriousness of the debate.
The IFE later issued a statement apologizing to the citizens of Mexico and the candidates for the "production error associated with the dress of an assistant."
A Twitter account in Orayen's name has picked up more than 7,000 followers since the two-hour debate.
Orayen posed nude for the Mexican edition of Playboy in 2008, a spokesman for the magazine said.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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We sorely needed such a distraction during the USA GOP primary debates. /yawn They all operate on the same platform just different degrees (in some cases directly tied to polling data).
If this woman ran for president of Mexico, instead of the current dour candidates, the country would have no problem boosting its tourism industry...
Ray, it's clear that you know little about the GOP candidates, especially Ron Paul. He disagrees with the neocons on about as many issues as he does with the liberals.
Back on topic. It's clear that modern day politics are a joke, not just in Mexico but around the world. Today, superficial nonsense such as an inappropriately dressed bimbo is the focus of attention rather than the real issues. It's pathetic.
lol This is why I like Mexican TV shows.
You mean except for that rampant murder thing they have going on?
Yo quiero Julia Orayen
If you're going to have your ear drums pounded by the lies of politicians it's good to at least have something pleasant for the eyes.
I could put up with having my ears pounded on each side by a couple of her discussion points, then go motor boatin'!! br-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r
Eye Candy for sure.
Let'sh ope this happens in American debates.I might be a good perspective by wich to frame same sex marraige laws.
Now that is funny! LOL
That's probably why the single digit candidate was the only one ogling her. He's too honest to win.
Sadly, he is, and it is what Mexico needs...
Oh my gosh,that is so sexist viewing women as objects! hahahahha ar3e you kidding! Nice rack! I suppose the shortest part of the debate would be how to keep their people from sneaking into the usa
I want to see her jogging.
"To show much of her cleavage" as the reporter writes? From my perspective the dress is showing all of it and then some.
Yes...
While I heartily approve of pretty much anything that has anything to do with cleavage, a little something about the debate itself would have been nice too.
Can they elect her president?
No, I guess not.
Can we elect her president?
She can run as a third booby... I mean third booby... third party. :)
That is enough to turn most any man into a masterdebator , Thank you Heff, no one does it better. After all these years you can still read our minds, peace out.
bread and circus-they keep giving us bread and circus...it won't help. the fall is inevitable.
"much of her cleavage" I would say that constitutes all. Unless cleavage goes all the way around to her armpits. We get cleavage here too in American presidential politics. Just last year I got to see Hillary Clinton's.
Americans wouldn't like a female assistant like this one for a presidential debate. They would prefer a homosexual couple as assistants. That's how they are "evolving".
No mi amigo. Dos Lesbianos Buenos!
Dear Providers:
On January 5th thee Ms. Sasha Grether was "raped" after two attacks, he may try again? Not only with her, but her "twin" the Prince of Canada's wife, they almost look identical. Sasha modeled for Playboy, about the same time as Desiree Starr also, a near "twin." His guy is a pro, he uses ropes and tape in his assaults. These other two "twins" are but one of his MO's I have calculated.
Chiwawa! Mexico necessita mas mujeras para presidente! Bueno, Bueno, Bueno!!!!!
That is the reason there are about 50000 people being slaughtered in Mexico.
The next round will be an assistant with a bunny suit and check how many followers and then check how many people being killed by drug-related violence this month in Mexico.
Do not forget to ask her what is the size of her gel pad.
Can you imagine the howls of protest from the "straighto-phobes" if that were to occur in the US???
Mexican politics. At least they know it's a joke. While in America we still pretend that it's NOT.
Anyone really believe that these Mexican buffoons will win the war with the drug cartels?
No one will my friend, the world is full of addicts, and where there is demand, there will be supply .... It's a lost cause..
I just had a vision of Hillary Clinton in that dress and lost my breakfast ....Arrrrgh !
Hey, how come my assistant doesn't look like that?
Hey, wait a minute, do I even have an assistant?