Brazilian leader’s strategy bolsters re-election chances: poll

By Anthony Boadle BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is coasting into an election year as clear favorite, but she must do more to curb violence and corruption to maintain her popularity, a poll showed on Thursday. Rousseff has been recovering from the pounding her approval ratings took after the massive protests in June against corruption, poor public services and the high cost of living, according to the poll commissioned by the private transport sector lobby CNT and conducted by pollsters MDA. Environmentalist Marina Silva, who was not able to register her party in time, would come closest to forcing a second-round vote. Rousseff's strategy of more public appearances around the country is paying off, along with her plan to bring in foreign doctors to fill gaps in the national health system, CNT president Clésio Andrade said.