The Big Day Looms....

Today is the 14th of August, it's pretty steamy here in Caracas, as usual, and the campaigns are wrapping up. In Sabana Grande, it's contested territory, posters and graffiti announcing the aims of both the opposition and Chavez supporters appear on every wall. So far, my favorite slogan is "No al Sí!". You can of course, expect the usual behavior by the corporate commercial media although toned down a bit for the elections observers. The big question remains, what will happen tomorrow? There's almost a consensus, at least among external observers and the Venezeulan poor, that Chavez will win, possibly a landslide. The opposition understands this as well, although is loathe to admit this possibility. However, in actions reminiscent of 9.11.73, there are rumors that the major bus companies are planning a strike. There is also discussion of blockades being erected by the "Coordinadora Democratica" to prevent a high turnout at the polls. A high turnout of the poor, of course, guarantees a Chavez win. Enrique Mendoza, opposition leader extraordinaire, plans to release his poll results tomorrow afternoon by 2 PM, long before polls officially close. Expect major trickery and expect authentic journalists to be on top of it. The truth, dear reader, will be revealed tomorrow.