Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, wipes his brow before a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Nov. 30, 2006. Chavez, first elected President in 1998 leads some opinion polls for the Dec. 3 2006 election with up to 60 percent of voter intentions. Chavez is a master of marketing and has achieved pop star status among the lower classes, who adore him.(AustralFoto/Douglas Engle)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, wipes his brow before a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Nov. 30, 2006. Chavez, first elected President in 1998 leads some opinion polls for the Dec. 3 2006 election with up to 60 percent of voter intentions. Chavez is a master of marketing and has achieved pop star status among the lower classes, who adore him.(AustralFoto/Douglas Engle)