STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Good morning. I'm Steve Inskeep. Nobody will accuse Venezuela's president of waging war on Christmas. Instead, his supporters put Christmas to work for him. A Nativity scene in Caracas features the traditional baby Jesus born in a manger. But those standing nearby include a figure of President Hugo Chavez. The scene also makes a case that Chavez should qualify as a wise man. It includes a miniature cable car, symbolizing infrastructure improvements for which the president would like to be known. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.