Venzuela: Chavez Loses Constitutional Vote

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Hugo Chavez suffered a stunning defeat Monday in a referendum that would have let him run for re-election indefinitely and impose a socialist system in this major U.S. oil provider.

Voters defeated the sweeping measures Sunday by a vote of 51 percent to 49 percent, said Tibisay Lucena, chief of the National Electoral Council, with voter turnout at just 56 percent.

Even the Penguin could be initially polite when Batman would nail him (again):

"To those who voted against my proposal, I thank them and congratulate them," Chavez said.

But he also urged calm and restraint. "I ask all of you to go home, know how to handle your victory," Chavez said. "You won it. I wouldn't have wanted that Pyrrhic victory."

Yet he made it clear he would remain a formidable foe.

Daniel-Venezuela.blogspot.com is also celebrating, and yet he has this to say:

This picture [above text] is Daniel Duquenal worn out constitution that will serve for a little while still. He carries it around a lot and you can tell by yourself how often he has consulted it.

This is an alive constitution, that he does not like, that he did not vote for but that he defended when Chavez wanted to gut it as he pleased. Yes, that constitution needs some changes, probably needs to be rewritten in full because its Spanish is lousy, but it is the only thing that all Venezuelans have in common. Had the SI won tonight it would have become a red book that woudl have been used by one part of the country to control the other part. Thus it would have stopped being a constitution. In spite of all the obscene governmental advantage, all the threats and blackmails, the Venezuelan people found the strength to say NO.

¡Gloria al Bravo Pueblo!

Quico at Caracas Chronicle says:

NO 51%
SÍ 49%

Thanks to everyone for your support. The road back to something like a real democracy will be long, but at least we're on it now!

This win was a win for Venezuela, and for all the world, actually. In a phrase: "I'm Thrilled!"

Despite the pesky facts that Chavez proposed taking over the state of Venezuela in the manner of a dictator, that he was seizing private companies, was making himself "ruler for life", seizing the currency, taking over education, and shut down the free presses......... I think his fatal flaw was in his "friend and ally" choices.

He hated the President of the United States, he was so rude the King of Spain had to suggest he shut up.. but Gee Golly Miss Molly -- He thought Cindy Sheehan was a babe and strong political ally. Photo ops galore! And that Iran Leader, hates gays, has nukes, is, well, unbalanced - Chavez loved him too!

Like I've said... despite the pesky facts of the proposed Chavez take-over, these latter issues must have just haunted the heck out of the night sleep images of the citizens of Venezuela. Imagine dreaming of Cindy Sheehan, in her "wah!" moment on certain lower denomination currencies! Fidel Castro's image imposed upon the hospitals of Venezuela, Danny Glover running Education in Venezuela, the incoherent Sean Penn as the appointed "National Speaker" of Venezuela.

Some things are just too, too much to bear.

HA! Great Minds Think Alike, see GatewayPundit photos!