Clinics, cable cars help Venezuela's Chavez in vote

[Judi Lynn]

Clinics, cable cars help Venezuela's Chavez in vote
Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:01am EST

By Frank Jack Daniel

CARACAS, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Cheap housing, health clinics and even a new cable car have kept President Hugo Chavez popular in the Caracas slum of San Agustin throughout a turbulent decade and help explain why Venezuelans may approve the socialist leader's bid to extend his rule.

Himself from humble roots, Chavez is relying on his enduring popularity among the poor to win a referendum vote on Sunday that would scrap term limits and let him govern Venezuela for as long as he keeps winning elections.

~snip~
Although major problems such as violent crime have cut into Chavez's once overwhelming support among the poor, he is still very popular here for investing in health clinics and projects to move families from precarious shacks.

A cable car will also soon be opened, saving residents of the hilltop slum hours of walking each week.

"He's the only president who has really worked for the poor," said Maria Acosta, 77, receiving free in-patient treatment at a clinic run by Cuban doctors. "If I could tie him to this chair so he doesn't leave us, I would."

More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN1027903820090210?rpc=401&

[EFerrari]

1. That was a pretty balanced article. What the hell is going on here?

lol

I thought the long knives would be out by today. Maybe I should knock on wood.