CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made an abrupt political shift Friday, urging his socialist movement to reach out to the middle class and small business owners.

Chavez, whose signature red shirts have long been a symbol of his radicalism, also suggested his allies ought to be more moderate in their wardrobes.

"Why do we have to go around all the time wearing a red shirt?" Chavez asked in a telephone call broadcast on state television.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez talks to the media during a meeting with Ministers at Miraflores Palace in Caracas July 29, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

The president, who in the past has scolded some aides for not wearing the red often associated with leftist movements, chose a yellow shirt when he addressed supporters at his 57th birthday party Thursday.

Chavez, who is undergoing cancer treatment, appeared to be taking a more moderate stance to try to expand his support ahead of the presidential election in late 2012.

He said his party should seek to recapture middle class support. Such support has waned over the years amid the government's expropriations of businesses, farmland and residential buildings, as well as expanding price controls viewed by many as a threat to the economy.

"We can't give away the middle class to the bourgeoisie," Chavez said, referring to the opposition.

The president also said his government has no plans to expropriate small businesses, adding: "We have to open ourselves up to those sectors, the private productive sector."Chavez said his movement should "examine ourselves, starting with the leadership ... I myself, and the leadership of the party."

Chavez denied that being more open toward small businesses would represent giving in to the wealthy elite. He cited the example of Cuba and the economic changes begun by President Raul Castro's government.

"If Cuba after 60 years of revolution is making those revisions ... I doubt it's betraying socialism," he said.

He urged his allies to read the Cuban state newspaper Granma every day to see how Fidel Castro and other leaders are engaged in self-criticism.

"Fidel isn't there frozen, no," Chavez said.