No Joke: Comic to Challenge Hugo Chavez

[cal04]

He became a household name in Venezuela as a standup comedian who aims his wit - rapid-fire, irreverent and loaded with vulgarities - at everyone from his family to the Roman Catholic Church.

So it's little wonder that few in Venezuela are taking him seriously now that he says he will run against Hugo Chavez in December's presidential election.

Benjamin Rausseo, better known as the ``Count of Guacharo,'' announced his presidential bid in the capital of Caracas on Friday as he registered his new party, PIEDRA, which means ``rock'' in Spanish.

The jovial 45-year-old says he's not intimidated by polls that show Chavez heavily favored for re-election.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5981169,00.html

[gordianot]

1. I would favor the late Pat Paulson over Bush if he were still alive.

Maybe Chavez has better support.

[Vidar]

2. Even dead if he were on the ballot.

[yurbud]

3. I wonder if this is DC consultants exporting the Arnold strategy

If you can't win on issues, go for celebrity.