LA Times Editorial: Henrique Capriles represents a new style of opponent to President Hugo Chavez.

[steve2470]

http:///www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-venezuela-20120215,0,1896047.story?track=icymi

For more than a decade, political opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have sought to unseat the fiery populist. Yet his rivals have proved to be their own worst enemy. They've bickered among themselves, waged electoral boycotts that played into Chavez's hands, and failed to show that they understand the plight of the country's poor.

But this past weekend, the opposition did the unthinkable: It coalesced behind a single candidate, Henrique Capriles, a youthful governor from the state of Miranda, to challenge Chavez in this year's presidential elections. It's a welcome development in a country in desperate need of new voices and policies.

Despite its vast oil reserves,Venezuela's troubles are mounting. The country is politically and economically divided. Unemployment is rampant and inflation has hovered near 30%. The country's homicide rate is among the highest in the hemisphere, with near-daily reports of killings and kidnappings. And even the president's most ardent supporters now concede that his "Bolivarian" socialist revolution is losing its appeal as voters tire of his constant campaigning and vitriolic attacks against opponents.

Capriles represents a new style of political opponent in a country where old parties are largely viewed as corrupt. He defeated the president's handpicked candidate in his run for governor by emphasizing education and pledging to represent rich and poor alike. He's vowed to maintain programs for the poor put in place by Chavez and to pursue socially responsible capitalism. He's launched anti-hunger projects, and called for the private and public sectors to work together to raise living standards for everyone.

*more at link above*

[bluestateguy]

1. I have long worried that Chavez's successor will be a right wing dictator

That once the people tire of Chavez (and someday they will) that they will overreact in the other direction by putting a right wing thug in power.

[EFerrari]

2. So, Capriles is the US candidate in this election, going on his background with

the heavily USAID funded Primero Justicia party. Good luck with that.

[white_wolf]

3. "socially responsible capitalism" is like "jumbo shrimp" or "compassionate conservatism"

It's an oxymoron. He says he will represent both the rich and poor, that will be quite the feat since their interests are very often opposed, especially in the current economic climate.

[David__77]

4. The opposition had a single candidate last time too, basically.

But it didn't matter because Chavez won a large majority of the vote. Of course the opposition is running a "leftist" against Chavez. He would change his tune soon enough if he managed to get elected. The right always waves a leftist flag when they feel compelled to do so.

Chavez has made innumerable errors during his tenure, working under extremely difficult circumstances. Nonetheless, Venezuela enjoys far more independence and national freedom than it has in the past. That is quite an achievement.

[COLGATE4]

5. In what respect(s) does Venezuela

'enjoys far more independence and national freedom than it has in the past."??