I have what I think is a very interesting article put up on the
El Universal (Caracas) web site last night which seems to indicate that the Chavez campaign is furious with the people of Caracas, who are their main base of support, for turning out in such large numbers for Manuel Rosales yesterday. I ask you all to forget the spin as you read the following translation -- please note they are cancelling a major campaign event they had scheduled for today, probably because their turnout would have been less than that which Rosales had yesterday -- and ponder my theory that Chavez and his cohorts are determined to punish the people of Caracas for giving Rosales such a strong turnout by taking away their hitherto exclusive hosting of the
Feria Internacional de Turismo de Caracas (International Caracas Tourism Fair), a massive event which is now underway in the Venezuelan capital, and which probably helped to boost the turnout for Rosales yesterday.
I say that reads like retaliation and, if I'm right, it could be a major mistake on the part of the Chavez campaign. You do not punish your political base.
Want to see why the Chavez campaign is upset? Take a look at these photos of the Rosales rally yesterday, and remember, Caracas is supposed to be Chavez's home turf. I honestly don't think that Chavez and his campaign could match this. This could be a very big deal in this campaign.
A Latin American Left Watch ping for you all.
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