BACHELET
SANTIAGO, Chile, (Reuters):
DESPITE A subdued performance in a major televised debate, Socialist Michelle Bachelet stayed well ahead in the presidential race, polls and analysts said.
Bachelet, a former health minister and defence minister, is polling at about 47 per cent ahead of December 11 elections.
If she wins, Bachelet would be Chile's first woman president and the fourth consecutive leader from the centre-left coalition that has run Chile since Augusto Pinochet's 17-year dictatorship ended in 1990.
Much of her popularity is due to her charisma and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, qualities that did not shine through during the debate.
The one-hour debate on local television and Spanish-language CNN on Wednesday night, centered on crime, reforming Chile's expensive private pension system, and Chile's relations with neighbours.
"(Bachelet) wasn't perfect ... her smile was reserved, she was firm on one or two basic points. Nothing more. It was just enough - right at the edge - so as not to break the spell," said Carlos Pena, dean of the Diego Portales University law school in an opinion column
