Venezuela Rejects Chavez's Power Play

Referendum On Changes To Give Venezuelan Leader More Clout Defeated 51% To 49%

(CBS/AP)  Humbled by his first electoral defeat, President Hugo Chavez said Monday he may have been too ambitious in asking voters to let him stand indefinitely for re-election and endorse a huge leap to a socialist state.

"I understand and accept that the proposal I made was quite profound and intense," he said after voters narrowly rejected the sweeping constitutional reform by 51 percent to 49 percent.

Opposition activists were ecstatic as the results were announced shortly after midnight - with 88 percent of the vote counted, the trend was declared irreversible by elections council chief Tibisay Lucena.

Some shed tears. Others began chanting: "And now he's going away!"

Foes of the reform effort - including Roman Catholic leaders, press freedom groups, human rights groups and prominent business leaders - said it would have granted Chavez unchecked power and imperiled basic rights.

Chavez accepted the vote but claimed it was proof democracy is alive in Venezuela, led by a president not a dictator, reports CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella.

"From this moment on, let's be calm," he proposed, asking for no more street violence like the clashes that marred pre-vote protests. "There is no dictatorship here."

Chavez has used his country's position as the 4th largest supplier of oil to the United States to browbeat his best customer, and he has threatened a spike in prices, adds Cobiella.

Chavez, who was briefly ousted in a failed 2002 coup, blamed the loss on low turnout among the very supporters who re-elected him a year ago with 63 percent of the vote.

Seven in ten eligible voters cast ballots then. This time it was just 56 percent.

The defeated reform package would have created new types of communal property, let Chavez handpick local leaders under a redrawn political map and suspend civil liberties during extended states of emergency. Without the overhaul, Chavez will be barred from running again in 2012.

Other changes would have shortened the workday from eight hours to six, created a social security fund for millions of informal laborers and promoted communal councils where residents decide how to spend government funds.

Chavez's assuaging words - "don't be sad," he told supporters - didn't stop Nelly Hernandez, a 37-year-old street vendor, from crying as she wandered outside the presidential palace early Monday amid broken beer bottles as government workers took apart a stage mounted earlier for a victory fete.

"It's difficult to accept this, but Chavez has not abandoned us, he'll still be there for us," she said between sobs.

A close ally of Cuba's Fidel Castro, Chavez has redistributed more oil wealth than past Venezuelan leaders, and has also aided Latin American allies including Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua that have followed Venezuela's turn to the left.

"He is a man who feels for the people, a man who has suffered, a man who comes from below," Carlos Orlando Vega, a 47-year-old carpenter's assistant, said outside a polling station in a Caracas slum on Sunday.

Vega is among tens of thousands of Venezuelans who, under Chavez, have new government-provided homes.

Chavez urged calm and restraint after his Sunday setback.

"I wouldn't have wanted that Pyrrhic victory," he said, suggesting a small margin wouldn't have been enough of a mandate.

Tensions surged in the weeks ahead of Sunday's vote, with university students leading protests and occasionally clashing with police and Chavista groups.

Chavez, 53, also suffered some high-profile defections by political allies, including former defense minister Gen. Raul Baduel.

Early Monday, Baduel reminded fellow Venezuelans that Chavez still wields special decree powers thanks to a pliant National Assembly packed with his supporters.

"These results can't be recognized as a victory," Baduel told reporters,

Baduel, who as defense minister helped Chavez turn back the 2002 putsch, said Venezuela can only be properly united by convening a popularly elected assembly to rewrite its constitution.

Chavez has progressively steamrollered a fractured opposition since he was first elected in 1998, and his allies now control most elected posts.

At opposition headquarters in an affluent east Caracas district, jubilant Chavez foes sang the national anthem.

"This reform was about democracy or totalitarian socialism, and democracy won," said opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez.

"At least now we have the guarantee that Chavez will leave power," said Valeria Aguirre, a 22-year-old student who had braved tear gas during street protests.

All was reported calm during Sunday's voting but 45 people were detained, most for committing ballot-related crimes like "destroying electoral materials," said Gen. Jesus Gonzalez, chief of a military command overseeing security.

[feelfree1]

Re: "...an outspoken critic of President Bush, who Chavez likened to the devil in a jaw-dropping speech last year at the United Nations."

That was a good one.

"It still smells of sulpher here..."

Classic.

[feelfree1]

Sorry, "sulfur".

[galenval]

What is Carl Levin talking about? He should just shut up.

Many countries do not have term limits on government officials.

Kings, as in the gulf states, have none either and don''t have to be elected to boot. Why isn''t everyone blustering about the Saudi King being in there for life?

Besides, I thought Chavez was supposed to be rigging the election down there.

I bet George W. Bush could tell him a thing or two how to win a Florida election.

Excuse me, I mean a Venezuelean election.

What was I thinking.

Furthermore, Carl Levin and his ilk are sitting on their hands whilce Bush and Chaney trash our constitution.

[chadiam1]

Socialist are the biggest threat to freedom in the world to day. Socialism destroys any hope of progress. There is no freedom just the government telling you what is best for you. Elect the Democrats and watch them try to pull the same stuff here. This is a great day, a blow to socialism anywhere in the world is a good thing. The sooner we start arming his enemies so they can take care of him the better.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Socialism destroys any hope of progress. There is no freedom just the government telling you what is best for you. Elect the Democrats and watch them try to pull the same stuff here."

Simply change the word "Socialism" to "Bush style corruption", and you will have cut your distance from the truth by 90%...

[tbweb]

The election in Venezuelea turned out the way Democratic elections are suppose to. All parties state their case and let the Voters decide. The real winner was the Democratic process. Good for you Venezuelea, let Democracy and Freedom Ring!

[twood001]

Socialism is not a threat to Democracy. Having a government sponsored healthcare, or taking care of the poor and distributing wealth is not a bad thing.

Democracy in the US has meant creating a hyper-rich ruling class (Big Pharma, Big Business, Big oil) that gets richer and take more away from it''s workers. As Americans we are getting less healthcare, benefits, and social programs and are paying more for it. Is this Democracy? If we can''t take care of our own people, how are we going to spread Democracy to other nations? What are we spreading? Greed??

We need to look at France and how the People actually run the country. There is no fear of governement. No one goes broke because of a terminal illeness and there are many social programs benefiting workers and the populace - watch Micheal Moore''s Sicko.

The US government has become a dictatorship where the rich through lobbyists, campaign funds and incestous ties with governement leaders run the country. The people are enslaved through debt and wanting more. They are kept in check from revolting because they need thier jobs and are one paycheck away from bankruptcy. Is this the great Democracy you are talking about??

It''s time to clean our own house before we talk about Democracy. I am for any program (socialist or otherwise) that''s take care of ALL people not just an elite few.

[dmhphils]

Posted by FeelFree1 at 02:19 AM : Dec 03, 2007
---------------------------------------------
YOU LOSE!

[dmhphils]

"It would have practically been a copy of the Cuban constitution, and that would have been a big step backward."

[tbweb]

Posted by twood001 at 04:25 AM : Dec 03, 2007,,,

Democracy works, if citizens let some hijack their Democracy and pervert it, that is not the fault of Democracy, but the fault of lazy citizens who let them get away with it!

[dmhphils]

along with the 10 other industrialized nations that have a higher standard of living than the US.

Regards,

Posted by Nancy_Naive at 04:35 AM : Dec 03, 2007
-------------------------------------------------

Believe it or not, there are some things more important than a higher "standard" of living, like freedom.

[dmhphils]

We could give them ours. We''''re not using it.

Regards,

Posted by Nancy_Naive at 05:06 AM : Dec 03, 2007
------------------------------------------------

I suggest you pack your little ditty bag and your electric curlers and move to some Scandinavian country on your list, but just remember when they take the 45% of your measly little salary, don''t complain.

You may not be using our constitution, but don''t speak for the rest of us. Remember what the great Democrat said: "ASk not what your country can do for you etc."

[dmhphils]

The self-styled revolutionary and close ally of Cuba conceded defeat but said he would "continue in the battle to build socialism."

Close ally of Cuba.....another broken down nation, that can''t feed its people, no jobs, no future, no human rights etc. etc.

What kind of dim wit would make Cuba their ambition? What a dream!

[jowand]

Noseonurface said, "It would have practically been a copy of the Cuban constitution, and that would have been a big step backward."

~~~~~~~~~~

We could give them ours. We''''re not using it.

Regards, Posted by Nancy_Naive at 05:06 AM : Dec 03, 2007

Will he take his BIIIIIIIIG DEFEAT gracefully or like the Demoncrats did in 00 and 04, kicking and screaming like big cry babies.

[jowand]

I''''m sure the Swedes will find your views interesting, along with the 10 other industrialized nations that have a higher standard of living than the US.

Regards,

Posted by Nancy_Naive at 04:35 AM : Dec 03, 2007

If you want to pay seventy cents on every dollar to the government to live like the Swedes, move there. They are islolated from the real world, take no international responsibility, just toss their Marxist rocks at everyone not like them.

[dmhphils]

Chavez Forever! I wouldn''t wish that on anyone.

[red1530]

I am glad the people of Venezuela realized that Chavez is a crazy nut job and the proposals to the constitution would make him a dictator.

[sbb2211]

Das Babboon will still find a way to stay in power. This vote was only an attempt to pull a veil of false-legitimacy to his rule.

That monkey is a power-hungry maniac, and will stop at nothing to retain and consolidate his power (sounds kind of like the DNC blocking select primary state''s votes and Pelosi, Reid and the Democrat Congress trying to take control of the Judicial and Executive branches of our government). Be afraid Americans, be VERY afraid!

[ioweign]

Believe it or not, there are some things more important than a higher "standard" of living, like freedom.

Posted by noseonurface at 04:50 AM : Dec 03, 2007

################

Where do you live ?

You have very low expectations for your government !!

[brianbwb-2009]

Will he take his BIIIIIIIIG DEFEAT gracefully or like the Demoncrats did in 00 and 04, kicking and screaming like big cry babies.
Posted by jowand

He has so far been quite gracious in defeat, especially for one who lost by a mere 2%, I am pretty sure "der Bos" is still green with envy at Chavez''s 49% popularity rating, as it is almost exactly double his, and Chavez''s margin is large enough to ensure him a significant voice in government even after his term as president is up. It is certainly a message for the economic fascists that Venezuela is not going to return to the slave state it was before Chavez any time soon.

Would that we had such people power.

[brianbwb-2009]

Believe it or not, there are some things more important than a higher "standard" of living, like freedom.
Posted by noseonurface

Only in your mind.

[closethippy1]

Believe it or not, there are some things more important than a higher "standard" of living, like freedom.
Posted by noseonurface

Venezuela has more freedom than you''re puny mind can ever imagine. For once in your freaking life, just for once go over there so you can compare the nasty propaganda the US mainstream media plays out against any country the White House deems an "enemy" with the reality of the situation.
Hugo doesn''t have any political prisoners and no one has ever been killed or torture because of his opposition to Chavez.
All he did was not renew the broadcasting license of a TV station that called for his ouster and death. Man, I''d love to see what would happen in the US if that ever happened. But it''s not going to happen because Americans are scared s.hitless of their government.
By the way, that TV station is still on the air broadcasting through a cable company. No one was jailed, no one lost their job.
You ignorant b.astards, go educate yourselves for once before you keep talking from your behind.

[b0ludo]

closethippy: I realize you don''t get much in terms of news from abroad, but I happened to be in Caracas on business on the day of the marches against Chavez and I got to see how dictatorship works up close and personally... Like you, I once thought Marx and Engels'' ideas rocked, but unlike you I have lived through a couple of the failures of the infamous system known as the "Dictatorship of the Proletariat". Think about it, Chavez has instituted a system known as "Neighborhood Committees", who''s sole role is to keep a watchful eye on the enemies of the revolution... Here is a little recount in Human Rights Watch (hrw.org) of what happened that day, with some of the names of the people who were taken in by Chavez'' aparatchik for some good old fashioned rubber-hose therapy: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/04/12/venezu8423.htm

[monkfellow]

first off, Chavez HAS imprisoned his opponents,and made a public spectacle of it.(quit listening to the BBC and hear the TRUTH!)At least you acknowledge that Cheavez yanked a station license(and sent his goons to shut it down)simply because of their robust opposition.No, believe it or not lefties, nothing like that happens here under big bad George Bush.The mainstream media portrays itself as the "loyal opposition 24/7, not to mention the losers on "Air America" and the subversives on taxpayer-supported NPR.
Oh, and how interesting it is that CBS has buried this story today,when yesterday,as voting continued, it was a top banner headline................

[hillaryin08]

closethippy1 , why dont you go down their and live!

[hillaryin08]

closethippy1 , why dont you take the next step in your hatred of America and do what John Walker did. I would gladly spend 25 cents on a bullit instead of a jail cell for traitors like you.

[ioweign]

I suggest you pack your little ditty bag and your electric curlers and move to some Scandinavian country on your list, but just remember when they take the 45% of your measly little salary, don''''t complain.

You may not be using our constitution, but don''''t speak for the rest of us. Remember what the great Democrat said: "ASk not what your country can do for you etc."

Posted by noseonurface at 05:16 AM : Dec 03, 2007

They are already taking 30 percent in taxes and we get the great family values of Larry Craig and with the present US regime we have learned not to ask for and expect anything except double-speak !

[closethippy1]

closethippy: I realize you don''''t get much in terms of news from abroad, but I happened to be in Caracas on business on the day of the marches against Chavez and I got to see how dictatorship works up close and personally...
posted by B0ludo

Well, OK, go ahead and describe what you saw. How did the "dictatorship" work? Tell me, I like to know.
You mean that''s all your brainwashed mind can say? Just repeat like a parrot what you hear on the news here?
So what happened? Because last I heard there was absolutely no violence during the voting and, even more espectacular, is how it took an average of 5 minutes to process every voter and how the count was done effectively and promptly.
Wanna compare that with Florida and Ohio?
I had a good laugh when I heard on the radio yesterday that the European Union is going to send some envoys to Venezuela to see how the voting was done so they "learn from it" as they put it.
See how other countries learn from each other? Why don''t you guys do that for once, will ya?

[hillaryin08]

closethippy1 , why dont you take the next step in your hatred of America and do what John Walker did. I would gladly spend 25 cents on a bullit instead of a jail cell for traitors like you.

[closethippy1]

first off, Chavez HAS imprisoned his opponents,and made a public spectacle of it
posted by monkfello

Liar. Name one Venezuelan in jail for political reasons? You liar.

[closethippy1]

closethippy1 , why dont you go down their and live!
Posted by hillaryin08

So much for "freedom of speech", huh? You freaking hypocryte.

[hillaryin08]

Look America Hater

Nobody is making you stay in the US (if you are actually living here), If you don%u2019t like it go live in one of many Socialist Utopia%u2019s in your mind you keep touting about. The problem with people like you is that your opinions are not based on anything except your pathological hatred for the rich and nothing else. You have never seen poverty or tyranny and if you living in U.S. and your not living in it now.

[pelostilaho]

Hi Hillaryin08,

You see one brain dead Left Nazi bozo America hater, you''ve seen them all. They should put this little monkey on an island with Chavez and Ahmedinejedad ruling - add Pelosi and Reid too - and let''s see how long chimpy will continue to love Yougo and Makemud.

Not very long I reckon.

[hillaryin08]

Beleive it or not, most of the people on thes blogs dont even live in the U.S. anyways.....

[hillaryin08]

ttinsly

You have Karl Rove advising Obamma how to take Hillary down now.

Wake up

[swwils]

He needs ousted or we are going to have major problems with this dictator,just like Fidel.

[closethippy1]

How am I an American hater when it pains me to see how brainwashed you guys are, to the point where you''ve sent American boys and girls to die by the tens of thousands in the most useless wars like Vietnam and Iraq?
Let me tell you what goes through my mind every time I hear an American soldier has died in Iraq, or when I contemplate the 58000 Americans that died in Vietnam, or any number of good Americans that have died while invading countries for no good reason, all because you guys just can''t get rid of that "communist" or "socialist" boogeyman:
I keep asking myself what have we deprived ourselves of? How much music have we lost in all those deaths?
How many inventors, how many creators, how many discoverers, how many scientists, how many artists, has the US lost when sending young men and women to fight off all these ghosts you have in your head?
That''s what saddens me the most about US. It''s how it''s willing to waste of its most precious lives just because you''ve been brainwashed since Senator McCarthy in the 50''s to fear everyone and anyone them freaking rightwing b.astards deem an "enemy" without question.
What I have is not hatred, just deep sorrow for what could have been.

[omega39-2009]

Referendum On Changes To Give Venezuelan Leader More Clout Defeated 51% To 49%.

Gee, if those numbers were reversed he could have claimed he had a "mandate" that gave him political capital that he was going to spend waging war on the poor.

[brianbwb-2009]

"He needs ousted or we are going to have major problems with this dictator,just like Fidel." Posted by swwils

Are you really Pat Robertson in disguise? I have no problem with Fidel, or Chavez, they have done nothing to me or mine. For me, the ultra right American racist, and the corrupt Bush fascist war mongers who lie to get our soldiers killed, are far more of a threat to America than Castro ever was, or Chavez ever will be.

So what if he accepts another currency for his oil? The worshipers of unregulated capitalism created the money game, and now there are groups emerging that play it better than they do. That is life, you accepted the rules of the game as long as you were on top, but now you complain when the rules favor others.

Your "god" has forsaken you. Tough luck.

[prinzowhales]

Mr. Chavez accepted his narrow loss with grace and called for calm among his supporters. He has done far more for Venezuela than any other leader:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18816.htm

The above article gives some of his considerable accomplishments--including many more physicians and clinics in poorer areas where prpeviously there had never been any physicians.

He stood up to the Oligarchs in New York, London and Caracas. He survived a coup attempt supported by the Bush Regime and he has told the Bush Regime in no uncertain terms that they can expect an embargo if they attempt to subvert Venezuela. The Bush Regime, on the other hand, threatens Iran with war if they pursue nuclear development for peaceful purposes which under treaty they have a right to pursue and places sanctions against Iran and Cuba that are decades as punishment for not truckling before the Oligachy''s creatures in Washington.

Americans can''t manage their own ''democracy''...they have no right to, or talent for managing anyone elses.
Bush was elected by 5 blackrobed b*stards in 2000 and by the disenfranchisement of thousands of black citizens in Ohio in 2004...

[dmhphils]

What I have is not hatred, just deep sorrow for what could have been.

Posted by closethippy1 at 08:46 AM : Dec 03, 2007
-----------------------------------------------

No, what you got is good old fashioned HATRED cookin'' down inside you.......your ready to pop aren''t ya?

Then you get on these boards and you can''t see straight, and spew it all out on a bunch of innocent people just making comments on these boards. You really need help.

[dmhphils]

Your "god" has forsaken you. Tough luck.

Posted by brianbwb at 08:55 AM : Dec 03, 2007
--------------------------------------------------

Hey BOZO.....the majority of the people of Venezuela said, "NO" loud and clear to Chavez Forever scheme. Get a grip and accept it.....they don''t won''t your socialism or your advice.

[l8c6]

Chavez and Venezuela must run honest elections. Chavez must not be as bad as the global corporatists imply via their mediums in Washington and the tele-evangelists.

Putin no, and our supreme court appointed system of presidential selection----NO. Election fraud is in the U.S. system.

[dmhphils]

I have no problem with Fidel, or Chavez, they have done nothing to me or mine. For me, the ultra right American racist, and the corrupt Bush fascist war mongers who lie to get our soldiers killed, are far more of a threat to America than Castro ever was, or Chavez ever will be.
Posted by brianbwb at 08:55 AM : Dec 03, 2007
----------------------------------------------------

Hey, I got an idea......let''s pack your stuff.....and you can move to CUBA tonight......just think, you can be sipping coconut mild and sucking on Cuban cigars by nightfall......and we will all be happy for you.....otherwise, shut up !

[mike71067]

Headline: "Venezuela Rejects Chavez''s Power Play"

Oh no! What are all his buddies (Pelosi, Sean Penn, etc.) going to do? Are they going to move to France or Canada until the people of Venezuale come to their senses?

[dogsoul]

...my condolences to liberals on this difficult defeat...

oh well, you & your radical Islamic allies still have a chance to beat Bush in Iraq?

[mike71067]

I''m laughing hysterically! This obese piece of caca threatens to choke the United States by increasing oil prices, attempts to give himself limitless power against his own people, and huts down TV stations who oppose him - and the liberals in the country STILL defend him. And they wonder why the term "liberal" has such negative connotations...

[dmhphils]

Chavez told reporters at the presidential palace that the outcome of Sunday''s balloting had taught him that "Venezuelan democracy is maturing." His respect for the verdict, he asserted, proves he is a true democrat.

So, he wants to destroy it by establishing totalitarian socialism.

[lloydbest1]

Posted by noseonurface at 09:06 AM : Dec 03, 2007

I''ve duel''d with Brianbwb before and consider him an intelligent man. Why on earth would he move to Cuba or Venezuela just to become a victim of American Foreign Policy?

[dmhphils]

Why on earth would he move to Cuba or Venezuela just to become a victim of American Foreign Policy?

Posted by LloydBest1 at 09:22 AM : Dec 03, 2007
----------------------------------------------
Why on earth would he stay in the U.S. if he hates it so vehemently.??

You explain it......they condemn Bush for doing the same things that Chavez is doing, but embrace Chavez. That is liberal hypocrisy. So, let me help you pack your bags.