Do not let the abstention matrix to re-emerge:
Abstention is only detrimental to the opposition

Maritza Ramirez de Agena
November 19, 2006


President Chavez’s strategy is to create a disincentive to vote among soft-core supporters of the National Unity movement. Yes, there is reason to be distrustful, Alfredo Keller (President of the opinion pollster Keller & Associates) says, but Talk of abstention only leads to a lost opportunity for the National Unity movement because they make up half of the population and have a real chance to win. If voters do not go to vote, on 4D there will be nothing to do, but to lament.

Based on public opinion polls, 70% of Venezuelans distrust the National Electoral Council (CNE). Keller explains that “circumstances are such as to constitute a basis for suspicion”. When Minister Ramirez stated that the Venezuelan oil Company is red, truly red, and the President backed him saying that all public institutions are red, truly red… we may, very well, conclude that the CNE is also red, truly red.

Intimidation is a card that Chavez’s government has to play. We all have seen Chavez on TV proclaiming that everything he has done, he has done for love! I find his message insulting. Chavez spends millions of tax payer’s money talking about love while his government officials threat public employees with massive layoffs and physical violence. Minister Ramirez, who was filmed inadvertently during a speech given to PDVSA employees, said among other atrocities: “those who seem to have forgotten that we are in the middle of a revolution, will be beaten until they get it!”

How are Venezuelans supposed to reconcile “love” with intimidation, layoffs, physical violence and other threats which constitute a violation of human and constitutional rights?

Keller mentioned in a recent interview, that Chavez has been forced to change his presidential campaign strategy six times this year. Obviously, the lack of coherence between the President’s message and his actions have made him lose the support of hard-core Chavistas, which has gone down from 39% at the beginning of this year to 22% by the end of last month.

Manuel Rosales, on the contrary, has managed to communicate a consistent message as well as to present a structured government program. At the end of October, 2006 the hard-core segment of the National Unity movement went up to 27%, five points over its Chavista counterpart. Keller says Rosales’ Campaign has been very successful in weakening people’s loyalty towards Chavez by addressing the contradictions that exist in Chavez’s soft-core segment. Soft-core Chavistas lend their support to Chavez; but are basically against the government’s agenda. They are completely against expropriations, the socialist model, the increase in armament, and the threats of war presented by President Chavez.

Rosales has stressed the importance of tolerance and integration to overcome the political polarization in the country. He says proportional representation is the “essence of a democratic system”. From there, Rosales says, “we will advance in the transformation of powers in Venezuela, in their autonomy…” Rosales proposes respect of private property, which will foster private and foreign investment. He has also established his intention to re-install Venezuela’s traditional diplomatic foreign relationships to promote peace and stability in the Western Hemisphere and around the world.


Important information for Venezuelan voters!

By Opinion Pollster Survey Fast:
Oct.20 – Oct. 29, 2006
Q. If the Presidential Elections were held today, for whom would you vote?
Chavez 48.1%
Manuel Rosales 47.7%


By Opinion Pollster Eugenio Escuela:
September, 2006
Q. If the Presidential Elections were held today, for whom would you vote?
Chavez 46 %
Manuel Rosales 48 %


By Opinion Pollster Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates Inc.:
November, 2006
Q. If the Presidential Elections were held today, for whom would you vote?
Chavez 48 %
Manuel Rosales 42 %


By Opinion Pollster Keller & Associates:
November, 2006
Q. If the Presidential Elections were held today, for whom would you vote?
Chavez 52 %
Manuel Rosales 48 %


For more information, visit www.11abril.com


Maritza Ramirez de Agena
Electoral Observer for Manuel Rosales, appointed by the National Campaign Headquarters
Maritza@11abril.com
Cell 818-703-3612

Contact in Venezuela:
Mrs. Iruña Urruticoechea
Electoral Committee
National Campaign Headquarters
diaspora.venezuela@gmail.com





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