Nervous Expectation as Venezuela Goes to Polls - New York Times [getdailynow.blogspot.com]
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People lined up to cast their votes in the Petare shantytown in Caracas on Sunday.
CARACAS â" A steady stream of Venezuelans turned out to vote on Sunday in a landmark election that could give President Hugo Chávez a new term to extend and deepen his socialist revolution or replace him with a youthful, more moderate challenger, Henrique Capriles Radonski.
The day began as early as 3 a.m. in poor neighborhoods where Mr. Chávez enjoys strong support, with activists driving around on motorcycles and trucks, blowing bugles and air horns and blaring his campaign music to rouse people to go out and vote. In some neighborhoods, residents turned out before the polls opened at 6 a.m. and by early morning, voting centers had lines around the block.
âIâve been voting here my whole life and itâs the first time Iâve seen such a long line,â said Elsi Fernandes, 33, who stood in line with her 6-year-old daughter for more than two hours before casting her vote for Mr. Capriles at a school in Catia, a poor area of central Caracas. Television reports showed long lines in other parts of the country as well.
âThereâs enthusiasm, but itâs also very quiet,â Ms. Fernandes, a teacher, said of those standing waiting outside. âThatâs not very much like us Venezuelans.â
For the first time since Mr. Chávez took office in 1999, the outcome of a presidential election was in doubt and Ms. Ferro said that she sensed a nervous expectation among voters in line. Troops in green fatigues were stationed at many polling places.
Venezuela is a major oil supplier to the United States yet Mr. Chávez has steered the country away from Washington. He is close to countries like Cuba and Iran and has been a thorn in the side of the United States in Latin America, leading an anti-imperialist bloc critical of American policies.
At home Mr. Chávez has championed social programs that provide education, housing and subsidized food to the poor, and he has sought to create a socialist economy, nationalizing many businesses to put them under state control. But he has also governed with autocratic reach, undercutting the independence of the courts and the legislature.
Mr. Chávez has been president for nearly 14 years. If he wins and serves out another six-year term, he would reach two full decades in office. But his longevity may also be a weakness, with many voters saying they are simply ready for a change.
The president started the campaign with a large lead. But Mr. Capriles has run a strong campaign, making inroads in poor areas fiercely loyal to Mr. Chávez, and in recent weeks he appeared to surge, possibly closing the gap. Handicapping the election has been complicated by the fear felt by many Venezuelans that a vote for the opposition could bring retaliation.
Adding to the anxiety, the government recently introduced a new electronic voting system that many Venezuelans feared might be used by the government to track those who vote against the president. Electoral officials and opposition leaders have defended the integrity of the system, but there was significant distrust, and a big part of Mr. Caprilesâs campaign has been to reassure citizens that their votes will remain secret. Mr. Capriles has also jabbed away at widespread corruption, government mismanagement and out-of-control violent crime. He called for Venezuelans to work together, a contrast to Mr. Chávez, who delights in demeaning and insulting his opponents.
And Mr. Capriles has promised to keep and improve Mr. Chávezâs signature social programs. Mr. Capriles has crisscrossed the country, keeping up a manic pace for months. Mr. Chávez, who has been battling cancer, sometimes went two or three days without a campaign stop.
Mr. Chávez won the last presidential election in 2006 with nearly 63 percent of the vote, compared with almost 37 percent for his opponent. He has predicted he will win in a landslide. But even his supporters said on Sunday that they expected the race to be tight.
Joselito Villanueva, 51, a security guard, said, âI voted for a change for the country, for reconciliation.
âI voted for the president in 2006 but the country isnât doing any better,â said Mr. Villanueva, who cast his ballot in Petare, a poor neighborhood in eastern Caracas. âPromises come and go and Venezuela remains behind.â
But in Catia, MarÃa Elena Severine, 59, a cleaning woman in a bank, said that Mr. Chávez was still as fresh a candidate as when he first ran in 1998.
âI like my president,â she said. âHe is the revolution. He is change.â

Question by Alicia: Homeowners: How did you know that your house was "The House"? My husband and I looked at a house last night, and it was gorgeous, but I don't know if it was perfect for us. In this market, I believe that I should be able to get a magnificent house for not a lot of money. I really liked the house, but I don't know if it was "The house", you know? So, homeowners, what made you feel like your house was the perfect house for you? Did you get a feeling? Did you just know? Thanks for your help! Best answer for Homeowners: How did you know that your house was "The House"?:
Answer by someone
It had everything I needed, was located where I wanted and I could easily afford it
Answer by Toni
It wasn't the house I fell in love with. It was the area. The best schools, close to hospitals, grocery stores, interstate, the neighborhood, the view, etc. Many houses contain what you like. Make sure yours is located well so it can hold its value in the future. Compare price per square foot also to other houses you like. Ex: I stuck to no more than $ 100 / sq ft...
Answer by Woof
It's not a marriage - it's a house.
Answer by Because I Said So
you're about half right. you should be able to get a great house for less money than what it would have cost 5 years ago. magnificent? you're shooting too high. make a list of pros and cons. also make a list of criteria that you can't live without. figure out how many of your criteria the house meets, and whether its pros outweigh the cons. it's more pragmatic to do it that way as opposed to wandering into a house and getting a 'feeling' that really isn't valid in terms of what your needs are.
Answer by richard t
I agree. No need to marry any house. Look at a bunch and pick the one with the most value. Include in your reasoning the intangibles like a good neighborhood, a pretty tree, a peaceful feeling. Do not worry about things that can be easily changed, like an ugly carpet etc. Vision yourself there in five years and what you think it will be like then. If you still come up short, then you should wait for more listings or until you have enough money to get more of what you want.
Answer by godged
In most markets, you are not going to get "magnificent" for not a lot of money, there are still peop le like you out looking for great deals, so bear that in mind. I have had buyers chasing the perfect house for a couple years. They want the million dollar house for $ 200,000 and so does everyone else. In many markets, it just isn't happening. So you may have to settle for the gorgeous house rather than the magnificent. I knew my first house was "the house" the minute I walked in the door. I had been looking for a couple months and knew my market. When I pulled up, I was skeptical, but when I walked around inside, I knew this was the one. So do some research about what is realistic in your market and it may not be magnificent.
Answer by Lisa L
You will know. If you start placing your furniture as soon as you walk in, that's a good sign. The best sign is if you decide where you are going to put the Christmas Tree. Yes, this is a light hearted answer, but it's true. It is also assuming you are already looking in the right area for you & the right price range for the area & you.
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