Venezuela Primary Called Off (Chavez Opponents Unite Behind One Candidate)

Seattle Times ^ | August 10, 2006 | Chris Kraul

[RWR8189]

CARACAS, Venezuela — Eight candidates opposing Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez called off a primary election set for Sunday, saying they had unanimously agreed to support the front-runner and best-financed among them, Gov. Manuel Rosales.

The announcement is seen as yielding to the financial and political costs of holding a primary and to the reality that Rosales stands the best chance against Chávez in the Dec. 3 presidential race.

Previously, Rosales, the governor of Zulia state, and seven other politicians had decided to participate in a winner-take-all primary to choose a candidate whom they all would support.

The presidential campaign kicks off this week, and Chávez is expected to file for re-election Saturday. The former army paratrooper, who took power in 1999 and has survived a coup attempt, a crippling general strike and a recall election, is the heavy favorite to win another term.

[GeronL]

Like there is going to be a fair election

[DoughtyOne]

Well... it is South America. He may not make it to December.

I sure would like to see his time in office come to an end.

It would be nice if some moderates could prevail.

[Crazieman]

If Jimmah is supervising the election again...

[PGalt]

Pinging Hillary.

[AmericaUnited]

If Big Oil was as evil as the kook left gives them credit for, Chavas would have been worm food a long time ago, after he started taking their 'stuff'.

Where an EVIL Big Oil when you need them. Haliburton, do your patriotic duty@! :)

[Brilliant]

Yep. If you want to talk about Big Oil, then let's talk about Hugo Chavez.

[stevem]

Who is responsible for counting the votes in December?

[DustyMoment]

Venezuela Primary Called Off (Chavez Opponents Unite Behind One Candidate)

Translation - Rosales has the best personal security team of the whole bunch and stands a better chance of surviving an assault by Chavez's security team.

[Thermalseeker]

Like there is going to be a fair election

Jimmah "Peanut Brain" Carter will make sure it's "fair".......

[kevkrom]

Who is responsible for counting the votes in December?

The winner. :)

[Holicheese]

Thats good news, you need a bunch of guys to bump off a group of candidates. One candidate is much easier to whak.
Saves money on bullets or car bombs.

[aynrandfreak]

Sounds like what the three lesser-known GOP candidates for Senate in Florida should do.