Pollster: Capriles' platform is one of his strengths

Luis Vicente León, the director of polling firm Datanálisis, foresees an election campaign characterized by a dispute aimed at positioning the candidates' message: President Hugo Chávez will try to impose his confrontational style and Capriles Radonski will try to impose his proposals.

"For ensuring a successful campaign, I would advise (opposition presidential candidate) Henrique Capriles Radonski to keep his conciliatory tone and make proposals -which is what made him win the (opposition) primaries. If Capriles brings Chávez into this territory, he may win," León added.

Using epithets has paid off for Chávez, according to the Venezuelan political analyst. Chávez has the highest penetration in the mass media. He is the best known candidate. He has more money, and power; he controls the media and can order mandatory nationwide radio and TV broadcasts, according to León.

Chávez "labels his opponent with an epithet, and this strategy works," the pollster said. The Venezuelan president also exploits fear and chaos successfully.

Meanwhile, Capriles' campaign is the opposite of Chavez's, but it is also effective. "The core message of the primary elections is that dissenters rejected the confrontational candidate and favored a message of leadership," León added.

Capriles should keep a moderate discourse, León advised. Another strategic element is fighting fear, when he says, "You will not lose anything with me. You will win."

The pollster finally warned that Capriles needs to boost the emotional tone of his discourse.

Translated by Gerardo Cárdenas