Your humble correspondent has arrived in the capital city with just over two weeks to go before the big hullabalooza: a likely ‘SI’ victory, probably with close to 60% of the vote, which would permit Chavez to be postulated by his party (the PSUV) for reelection in 2012.
Today the PSUV and the FMS, the Front for the Social Missions, are out in force around the key flow points of the city. Along the stretch between the very centre and the end of the pedestrianised boulevard, large speakers are pumping out tunes, leaflets and posters being thrust into willing hands by dozens of footsoldiers…to commuters waiting in lines for buses, through the windows of passing cars, etc.
One woman, walking briskly past a small group of flyer-touting red shirts, broke into a steady chant of “No, no, NO, NO, NO…”, continuing in semi-demented fashion even into the faces of other passers-by, who obviously understood she was not mad. But it resulted in a few grins. Such is the extent of the Chavista propaganda effort that the opposition simply can’t ignore it, let alone match it.
This doesn’t mean the ‘SI’ campaign is desperate. But it’s clear all campaigning avenues are being maximised, not least because the final vote count (or rather, the percentages) will be important in combating the negative press that will greet the inevitable result. Never before will Chavez have been so easily labelled a dictator, and the private media will attempt to diminish any impression that this constitutional amendment was supported massively.
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