The confrontation is among radicals, moderates and centrists

There were some opposition presidential pre-candidates with an explosive talk, others with a moderate tone, and a third group, halfway between the two in the second television debate. The stance of each presidential hopeful is slowly appearing as well as the clearest options to win opposition primary election to be held on February 12, 2012.

It was ratified on Sunday night at private TV network Venevisión. Pablo Pérez (governor of the state of Zulia and leader of Un Nuevo Tiempo -A New Era) and Henrique Capriles (governor of the state of Miranda and leader of Primero Justicia -Justice First), the top two candidates according to polls, maintain their strategy of inclusion and their will to spread a positive message. At the other extreme, there are two pre-candidates with a more aggressive attitude, with a similar platform and the same proposals: Pablo Medina (former left-wing politician) and Diego Arria (a former Venezuelan Ambassador to the United Nations, independent). Meanwhile, there are two candidates in the middle of the political spectrum, with critical opinions on certain issues: María Corina Machado (deputy for the state of Miranda, independent) and Leopoldo López (former Chacao municipality mayor and leader of Voluntad Popular -People's Will).

Each one on his/her own

Every candidate has his/her leitmotif. Capriles promotes progress and education. He says that it is important that nobody is left behind. Pablo Pérez insists on saying that his enemies are: insecurity, violence, corruption and the high cost of living. The governor of the state of Zulia does not mention (President Hugo) Chávez.

On the contrary, Pablo Medina claims that the Venezuelan president is the root of all evil. He even blamed Chávez for the crime of public prosecutor Danilo Anderson.

For his part, Diego Arria, who filed a complaint for crimes against humanity against President Chávez at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, recommended a Constituent Assembly to remove Chavezism from power.

Machado insists that she is a master in her own home and she will defeat Chávez. The Venezuelan deputy bases her platform on the concept of people's capitalism. She also labeled Chávez as a liar and a lout.

Finally, Leopoldo López reiterates that security is the key issue to solve the rest of the problems. He suggested that the success of Chávez's social projects (missions) is more myth than reality.

rgiusti@eluniversal.com