AS IF ONE W WASN'T ENEMY ENOUGH:

Chávez rival gains momentum, still faces long odds: Venezuela's opposition presidential hopeful, Manuel Rosales, is proving a more effective candidate than expected. (STEVEN DUDLEY, 11/20/06, MiamiHerald.com)

At first glance, Manuel Rosales seems like a strange choice for a presidential candidate to take on the powerful and charismatic incumbent, President Hugo Chávez.

The 53-year-old Rosales dresses and talks like a cattle rancher and has traditional political roots. He's not a particularly charming man in person or on stage, and has been caught on more than one occasion fumbling his words.

But Rosales' straight talk and his gumption to face up to Chávez -- who has won the last two elections, survived a coup and a recall referendum -- seems to have won him some fans and rejuvenated a moribund opposition.

Sound like anyone?

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 20, 2006 8:27 AM