Venezuelan comic withdraws from presidential race

A popular Venezuelan comedian announced Wednesday he was withdrawing from the presidential race. Benjamin Rausseo, better known by his stage name the "Count of Guacharo," said he was not throwing his support behind any other candidate, including President Hugo Chavez or his main challenger, Manuel Rosales, in the December 3 election. "The country has become so polarized," Rausseo told reporters. "I have a vision for this country, but for now the conditions don't exist for me to become president of all Venezuelans." "I'm withdrawing along the center line without backing anybody," he said.