Right in the middle of Brazil's white-hot, off-year* election campaign, a shabby, ill-shaven politico stopped abruptly in the middle of a "give-'em-hell" speech. Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out a sandwich and began to munch it in full view of his audience. Then, with ostentatious frugality, he wrapped the crumby remainder in paper and carefully stowed it away again. He was vote-catching Jânio Quadros, candidate for governor of São Paulo. Brazil's richest state.
Jânio Quadros has mastered a wide repertory of such theatrical tricks. He snuffs out a cheap cigarette before beginning a speech, tucks the butt behind...