You would think this vote abolished elections if you read the mainstream media, just means candidates can run again for president....no term limits in the UK for example for PM, although Gordon Brown is in more trouble over corporate donations!
lots of good stuff in referendum, lots of direct democracy stuff...my friend in Caracas mailed me with the news an hour or so ago noting 'have just come from filming the vote in the barrio...my well-placed sources are saying 7-10 point win for chaves (the yes vote)'
Reuters says the same here
Three exit polls showed Chavez won by between six and eight percentage points in a vote where turnout was low, the two sources said.
If confirmed, it would be by far the slimmest victory margin in the career of a man who wants to rule for life and turn the major oil exporter into a socialist state.
Most pre-vote opinion surveys predicted a close vote on a package of constitutional changes that the opposition and even some former longtime allies say is authoritarian.
The reforms would allow Chavez to run for reelection indefinitely, control foreign currency reserves, appoint loyalists over regional elected officials and censor the media if he declares an emergency.
Pollsters had said a low turnout would favor Chavez, who activated a state-backed get-out-the-vote campaign against an underfunded, fragmented opposition. The left-wing leader, a fierce critic of the United States, has never lost a national vote and had predicted he would win by at least 10 points
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It is really amazing to see how grossly - and utterly unapologetically - the US media is misrepresenting the reforms. I'm glad you're aware of what is actually going on.
¡Viva la Revolución Bolivariana!
¡Viva El Processo!
¡Viva Chávez!
Los amigos americanos de Presidente Chavez y la Revolución en inglés...
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Americans for Chávez
http://www.myspace.com/chavista
http://www.americans-for-chavez.com
Bolivarian Circle 'Chief Tierra Blanca'
So... guys, is it now bad that the people chose to NOT to reform the constitution.
And to save democracy.
So, tell me, how is it that you feel like telling us what is a representative government and what's a dictatorship.
I choose to say: Fuck Chavez NO
This headline looks as absurd as "Dewey defeats Truman". Since I am an anarchist, I tend to lean more toward ramonchis's comments, but with a willingness to see if Chavez respects the results of the vote. He can be very demagogic, but his initial responses suggest he will respect all aspects of the decision. I don't mind debating with iablogger and people who call themselves "Americans for Chavez', but I do resent the implication that all progressives should favor him. I certainly don't.
Well said Ioring - you can't just respect the choice of the Venezuelan people when they say what you want - oh and by the way limits on terms are pretty standard in presidential democracies the world over... Only would be dictators like Putin try to avoid them - and he at least pretends he doesn't
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