Carabobo State seen as an uphill climb for PSUV and it’s suggested some of that could be down to Chavez

Caracas Daily Journal (Jeremy Morgan): The approaching election for governor of Carabobo State was once seen as a favorable prospect for President Hugo Chavez’ United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), but is now being seen as an uphill climb -- and it’s suggested some of that could be down to him.

Chavez strolled to victory in Carabobo at the presidential elections in 2006, winning by 583,773 votes against Zulia state Governor Manuel Rosales’ 359,519.

The incumbent governor was Luis Felipe Acosta Carles, an old friend from way back when and a military man to boot. But since then, it’s all been downhill. When the citizens of Carabobo came to vote on Chavez’ ambitious bid to reform the Constitution last December, the vote went against him by 411,622 to 367,532.

Now it’s suggested that Chavez’ decision to spurn Acosta Carles -- and to do so in such a public manner during a speech at a military parade commemorating the historic Battle of Carabobo on June 24 -- could backfire on him in the state. Chavez said the candidate would be Mario Silva, a broadcaster.

Acosta Carles, a former general, said he might stand as an independent for re-election. While he’s not given much chance of winning, it’s said he could put a large enough dent in the PSUV vote to stop Silva winning. The opposition has already settled its choice of candidate, and the president’s supporters or chavistas are at odds in Carabobo.

In Caracas, Lina Ron is openly backing two alternatives on the grounds she thinks Silva’s already beaten if Acosta Carles runs, and maybe even if he doesn’t. The problem, it seems, is that local PSUV members aren’t enthused about Silva, who also appears to be a less than ideal candidate.