"Since he does not have charisma, he does not have the experience, he does not have military roots, I think that the Cubans and other friends of Chavez are looking at this election with a bit of nervousness, " said Lino Gutierrez, a former U.S. ambassador in Argentina and Nicaragua who now runs an international consulting firm.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

So I think he said quite clearly that he does not believe that is the right course.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing