Chavez Seeks Cruhsing win in Venezuela

[citizen snips]

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez sought another six-year term Sunday in an election that weighed the popularity of his oil-funded handouts to the poor against fears of increasingly authoritarian rule by one of the Bush administration's most outspoken opponents.

Even before all polling stations closed, hundreds of Chavez supporters celebrated in the streets as word spread of a partisan exit poll paid for by the government that pointed to a sweeping Chavez victory over challenger Manuel Rosales. They set off fireworks and cruised downtown Caracas in caravans, honking horns and shouting "Chavez isn't going anywhere!"

But Rosales' campaign said a partial audit of votes being witnessed by both parties showed a tight race. No official results have been released yet.

Chavez had anticipated a crushing victory over tough-talking political veteran Rosales, who has galvanized the opposition by promising to unseat a man he accuses of edging the country toward totalitarianism.

Voters waited for hours in snaking lines, and elections officials predicted a record turnout. An independent AP-Ipsos poll last month and other pre-election surveys gave Chavez a double-digit advantage.

Polling centers began to close at 3 p.m. EST but many remained open by law until the last voters on line could cast ballots. It was not immediately clear whether some polling stations were still open on Sunday night.

Since he first won office in 1998, Chavez has increasingly dominated all branches of government and his allies now control congress, state offices and the judiciary. He has called President Bush the devil, allied himself with Iran and influenced elections across the region.

Chavez also has used Venezuela's oil wealth to his political advantage. He has channeled oil profits toward multibillion-dollar programs for the poor including subsidized food, free university education and cash benefits for single mothers. He has also helped allies from Cuba to Bolivia with oil and petrodollars.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061204/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/venezuela_election

[bullimiami]

1. i like this especially ....

""Chavez also has used Venezuela's oil wealth to his political advantage. He has channeled oil profits toward multibillion-dollar programs for the poor including subsidized food, free university education and cash benefits for single mothers""


Chavez the snake. Doesnt he know that wealth is for the wealthy?

Where is the political advantage of feeding and educating the poor? will they donate huge dollars to your coffers and use their enormous financial clout and control to help you win?

[papau]

2. " oil-funded handouts to the poor " - the AP seems to hate the poor - who knew? n/t

n/t