Who Doesn't Love Contras?

David Weigel | October 24, 2006

Polls in Nicaragua show Daniel Ortega within striking distance of reclaiming the presidency. If you're the opposition, trying to head off the return of the Sandinistas, who you gonna call?

Oh, isn't it obvious?

Speaking in the capital, Managua, [ex-White House aide Oliver] North said Mr Ortega's election would be the worst thing that could happen to Nicaragua.

"I think that ought to have everyone concerned," he said.

"My hope is that the people of Nicaragua are not going to return to that. That's not good for your country. That's not good for my country."

Mr North visited a memorial for fallen Contra rebels.

He also met conservative Jose Rizo, who according to polls is running third behind the conservative candidate favoured by Washington, Eduardo Montealegre.

So if North has any effect, will he spoil the preferred conservative candidate's chances? Or is he poisoning the other conservative candidate to let Montaealgre catch up? Wait, is he even that smart?