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15 years ago @ Caracas Chronicles - The unity fetish · 2 replies · +2 points

Of course, there is also great irony here -- the focus on unity has only produced more division. Sigh.

15 years ago @ Caracas Chronicles - The unity fetish · 0 replies · +1 points

Bravo, JC.

In cities and regions where a Chavista victory is possible, we should unite against the real and potent threat represented by Chavismo. But where no Chavista victory is possible, as in the opposition stronghold of Chacao, endless and fruitless discussions of possible primary mechanisms are damaging and unnecessary.

What is really important for Chacao is to have a strong mayor. How can voters decide who is the best candidate, when all discussions of issues have been drowned out? There are important differences between the candidates. Let's hope Chacao residents get a chance to learn about them.

15 years ago @ Caracas Chronicles - The emerald city · 0 replies · +1 points

Wow. I thought I'd attended some swanky events, but I have to admit this is the first I've heard of monogrammed bride-and-groom bathroom towels.

15 years ago @ Caracas Chronicles - Red Rag Chronicles · 0 replies · +1 points

That's a smart point, a.

15 years ago @ Caracas Chronicles - Red Rag Chronicles · 1 reply · +1 points

I don't think there's one answer. Depends on the particular campaign, the candidates involved, whether local or national issues are more prominent for voters, etc.

15 years ago @ Caracas Chronicles - Red Rag Chronicles · 3 replies · +2 points

Really thoughtful post, Quico. How do we react to a slate of heavy-handed, punitive new measures -- when the government has never thought of legal authority as a pre-requisite for action? No easy answers.

Surely some of the laws function as a warning to those considering engaging in or funding opposition politics. A scary reminder of how closely the sword of Damocles looms.

And I think Chávez also wins when the rhetorical battle becomes focused on laws that seem far from the everyday concerns held by most Venezuelans. Most folks feel more threatened by crime, rising prices, etc. than they do by the new legislation. But within the small echo chamber in which opposition politicians often exist, there is great and never-ending demand for expressions of outrage over stuff most folks don't know about and don't think is relevant to their lives.

15 years ago @ Caracas Chronicles - Buckshot Provocation · 0 replies · +2 points

The danger for the opposition is that there are so many targets, they forget to focus their campaigns on the day-to-day issues that win elections.

15 years ago @ Caracas Chronicles - Boy, I never saw <i... · 0 replies · +1 points

Of course Chávez must feel he owes some measure of gratitude to Putin, for all that he's learned from him about authoritarianism in the 21st century. And perhaps he identifies with him, as Putin's power and popularity stem from high oil prices. But maybe he should check in with HQ in Moscow -- I'm guessing the Russians prefer NOT to be seen as puppets in a US show.

15 years ago @ Caracas Chronicles - Ten reasons why Novemb... · 0 replies · +1 points

And to supplement your #6: participating in elections strengthens the opposition's democratic credentials, both in Venezuela and abroad.

We're often so focused on Chávez's considerable misdeeds and his flagrantly anti-democratic policies that we miss the fact that many Venezuelans and foreign observers are skeptical about the opposition's commitment to democracy....because of Carmona, the withdrawl from elections (in which polls showed the opposition behind), etc.

15 years ago @ Caracas Chronicles - Ten reasons why Novemb... · 0 replies · +1 points

Thanks for this antidote to all the cynicism. It's good stuff, w/the advantage of reflecting the only viable path forward for the opposition.

For me, perhaps the biggest reason why these elections matter is that they could get opposition politicians back in the business of politics, rather than anti-politics. When you are meeting with regular folks and trying to win their votes, your focus is on the issues they care about -- and you realize that serial 350 press conferences ain't gonna get the job done.

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