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A comedian in the fray

CARACAS: A comedian popular among Venezuelans for his irreverent and risqué standup routines signed up as a presidential candidate on Wednesday to challenge Hugo Chavez, arriving alongside a donkey among hundreds of cheering supporters.

Some followers of Benjamin Rausseo wore straw hats associated with the comedian's stage character, the Count of Guacharo — a fast-talking country bumpkin who has long had audiences laughing with his quips. But Rausseo, 45, dressed conservatively in a coat and tie, and said his bid against leftist President Chavez is a serious matter. — AP

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