This thread is funny. Chavez is running the country for his people (thus his popularity). He open a recent history book and while corruption is rife in Latin America, it was world corporations which were paying... His stance has not been mild mannered... But either has the respouse (which has been idiotic from the Bush Administration). They definately knew of a coup to get rid of him and might hand a in it.. Venezula is an Oil country. And as usual takes precedence over non Oil countries. Chavez doesn't have a army or the wish to invade neighbours. He has never threatened the Americain people. He stated openly that he thinks the Bush Administration are assholes(not a exclusive club). He threw out companies which openly brided there way in to exploit venezula resources. He reversed stupid privatisation polices which have not worked in the country (Look at Railtrack in UK they did the same). He has shared the wealth with the poor. And to top it off he has one of the fastest growing GDP in the world... And he doesn't give a royal rats ass what some foriegn goverment thinks of him and is not afriad to say it. So would I vote for the guy... Not prefect by any means but better than his predessors