Posted on 11/14/2007 5:25:19 PM PST by Aristotelian
'Why don't you just shut up!" Most European observers applauded the Spanish king when he told the Venezuelan president, in no uncertain terms, to pipe down at the weekend, agreeing that Hugo Chavez's outspoken and acerbic attacks on his enemies were neither dignified nor called for - he's a buffoon, after all.
It is easy, though, to underestimate Mr Chavez and to focus on his controversial and occasionally comic public persona. It is more important to remember that the Venezuelan leader happens to be the most charismatic and influential politician in Latin America, who, after nine years in power, still has approval ratings of 60 per cent. He is also positioning himself to rule the oil-rich nation for many years to come.
Mr Chavez has shown a longevity and genius that brings to mind his friend and mentor, Fidel Castro. Like Castro, President Chavez has a love of long speeches and every Sunday he dominates the increasingly government-controlled airwaves with his show Hello President. In front of a carefully screened audience he talks about world affairs, raises local issues, sings and make jokes.
He presents himself as a modern-day Christ, come to save the poor. At the same time he welcomes international celebrities, particularly if they are from the US and anti-Bush. Danny Glover and Sean Penn have both paid a visit, and last month he was graced with a visit from Naomi Campbell.
A former US ambassador said of Mr Chavez: "Look at what he does, not what he says." He was implying that the Venezuelan leader was a man who liked to talk big and raise hackles, but when it came down to it, would steer a fairly steady course. The ambassador has been proved wrong. Over the past nine years, Hugo Chavez has taken control of all the levers of power to realise the radical theories that he has long espoused.
He led a failed coup as a young colonel in 1992, but it wasn't until 1998 that Mr Chavez finally overthrew the political system under which two parties had exchanged power since the military dictatorship fell in 1958. He shattered the status quo and no rival has yet been able to pick up the pieces.
Mr Chavez sits on some of the earth's largest oil reserves. With the price of a barrel nudging the $100 mark, he has more petro-dollars at his disposal than any of his predecessors. The Venezuelan government's concern has been, since the end of the Second World War, how to manage and spend the bonanza rather than worrying about raising taxes. Governments have risen or fallen in popularity thanks to the price of oil.
Before Mr Chavez, the public perception was that the money stayed with the corrupt political parties and their cronies. But under him, with his unprecedented social spending, the understanding is that most of the country's oil money goes directly to the poor. And with more than half of the Venezuelan population on or below the poverty line, it is no wonder that he has won three general elections and three referendums.
He looks set to win another on December 2, if the Venezuelan people approve a referendum on a new constitution, which will enshrine socialism as the core philosophy of government and allow Mr Chavez to remain in power indefinitely, removing all the checks and balances on presidential power and ensuring that access to top positions in the military, judiciary and all organs of government, depend on political affiliation not ability.
The poor do not seem to be put off by the fact that price controls on basic foodstuffs have led to shortages of milk and eggs as supermarkets refuse to stock items on which they lose money. Meanwhile, the opposition are either leaving the country or failing to oppose.
Protests at the proposed change to the constitution have come from an unexpected quarter. Tens of thousands of students across the country have led marches and battled with riot police, while the opposition politicians discuss the merits of boycotting the referendum or staging demonstrations.
Yet Mr Chavez has put enough sweeteners into the new constitution to distract attention from the further concentration of power in his hands. Chief among them is a six-hour working day, which has the business community wailing in despair.
Mr Chavez has managed to win election after election on the back of his charm and socialist rhetoric and appears poised to consolidate his power for the long term.
That is the action not of a buffoon, but a political genius.
Chavez's grabfest will dissuade foreign investors from plowing money into Venezuels and his income redistribution policies will leave precious little money available for capital investment. Given the country's oil riches, it will take time for the economic deterioration to occur, but occur it will. About that there is no doubt.
Bush: "YEAH, Yeah, yeah, WHATever... just fill'er up MonkeyBoy!!!"
He may be no baffoon, but he sure exhibits the halmark traits of most “liberal” leftists -
immaturity and arrogance.
He’s the classic Machiavellian tyrant. Don’t turn your back on him; if you must shake hands with him, count your fingers immediately afterwards.
But he plays one on TV.
Yes he is.
I have other words to describe him but I'd hate to coarsen the forum.
Prolly plants questions, too.
OPINION:
Chavez reminds me of Mugabe, in that he is taking down his country one day at a time. What a shame.
ping.
“a new constitution, which will enshrine socialism as the core philosophy of government and allow Mr Chavez to remain in power indefinitely, removing all the checks and balances on presidential power and ensuring that access to top positions in the military, judiciary and all organs of government, depend on political affiliation not ability.”
Their socialism sounds like my fascism.
I think he knows what Venezuels is... Vens is the Mob. he will conjure magic for them and they will be distracted.
he will take away their freedom, and still they'll roar.
the beating heart of Vens is not the concrete and steel of progress, it's the sand of the farmer.
he'll bring them death... and they will love him for it!!!
“Mr Chavez has shown a longevity and genius ...”
Dead wrong.
That’s the same “genius” of Robert Mugabe and will eventially have the same result. Lots of dead and starving people.
Re the cartoon: Isn't Bush's comment closer to "Fill the tank, buddy" ?
Very well put.
Sounds like 21st Century America, too.
I’m not sure they’ll love him in the long run. But he’s a Hitler-type populist and he’s done what Hitler did: take advantage of the simple and gullible and consolidate his power. By the time the smart and less gullible notice him, it’s too late.
And of course, flanked by his bosom buddy Jimmeh and the completely wussy State Dept., Hugo has nothing to worry about.
monkeyboy works for me...
“...A former US ambassador said of Mr Chavez: “Look at what he does, not what he says....”
This is the same advice Rush gives for the Clintons and their ilk. Look at what they do, not what they say.
It’s possible to be a reasonably intelligent thug.
Who would take his place if he encountered lead poison? 150grs. have finished off the careers of many a tyrant.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.