What is not in question is the formidable force of personality and political skill that enabled him to unite and hold together a broad leftist alliance always bubbling below the surface with ideological idiosyncrasies and internal divisions, and of the deeply personal bond of loyalty that Chavez commanded among the millions who made up his red T-shirted chavista power base.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

So even as President Lincoln tried to hold the North and South together, he was determined to see this railroad unite East and West.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama on the National Wireless Initiative