One by one, outsiders leave Brazil’s 2018 presidential race

If you follow Brazilian pundits, you’ve probably heard that Brazil’s 2018 presidential race would be the election for outsiders. First, there was the Luciano Huck phenomenon. The TV presenter’s name started popping up and he became the belle of the ball for center-right parties. But eventually, he chose not to leave his comfortable life for the ugliness of the political battlefield. The latest to leave the presidential race is now former Supreme Court Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa, who has recently decided not to pursue candidature.

Barbosa declared his decision via Twitter, without offering much of an explanation:

After several weeks [reflecting upon a presidential candidacy], I’ve reached a conclusion. I do not intend to run for President. The decision is a strictly personal one.

Without so much as raising a finger to please potential voters, Barbosa figured into the polls by winning as much as 10...