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The 912 Project - Glenn Beck

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Chavez Loses Venezuela Referendum Lead

Sat Nov 24, 2007
2:19pm EST
By Enrique Andres Pretel
CARACAS (Reuters)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has lost his lead eight days before a referendum on ending his term limit, an independent pollster said on Saturday, in a swing in voter sentiment against the Cuba ally.

Forty-nine percent of likely voters oppose Chavez's proposed raft of constitutional changes to expand his powers, compared with 39 percent in favor, a survey by respected pollster Datanalisis showed.

Just weeks ago, Chavez had a 10-point lead for his proposed changes in the OPEC nation that must be approved in a referendum, the polling company said.

Despite the swing, company head Luis Vicente Leon said he did not rule out a comeback by the popular president.

Chavez has trounced the opposition at the polls on average once a year and can deploy a huge state-backed machinery to get out the vote, Leon said.

Still, the survey was the latest blow to Chavez. He has suffered a series of defections over his plan, including an ex-defense minister who had restored him to power after a brief 2002 putsch but who called Chavez's reforms a new "coup."

"The debate over voting 'yes' or 'no' has burst into the very heart of Chavez's support base," Leon said in an interview. "We can see moderate Chavez backers ready to vote 'no' even though they like him."

Saturday's poll was the first Datanalisis survey in the campaign to project Chavez could lose. It also contrasted with the general trend of most other surveys taken earlier this month that have shown Chavez winning amid low turnout and despite widespread skepticism of his proposal.

MORE EXPECTED TO VOTE

Leon said the number of Venezuelans who say they will not vote has shrunk from a majority of voters to around 40 percent -- a change expected to boost the turnout of the opposition.

Chavez's plans also include establishing the No. 4 U.S. oil supplier as a socialist state and could allow him to pick favorites over regional elected officials, control currency reserves and censure the media if he declares an emergency.

The anti-U.S. leader stresses moves such as reducing the work day and expanding a pension system to street vendors.

Datanalisis is one of the most prestigious pollsters in Venezuela because of its record of predicting results of national votes. It conducts surveys on public opinion for businesses and government, and opposition-aligned groups.

complete article
 

No Oil If US Meddles In Vote

The Associated Press
Friday, November 30, 2007
CARACAS, Venezuela

President Hugo Chavez urged supporters Friday to approve constitutional changes that he said could keep him in power for life and threatened to cut off oil exports to the United States if it tries to meddle in Sunday's vote.

Speaking to more than 200,000 supporters, Chavez warned that his opponents at home could try to sabotage the vote with backing from Washington through violent protests on the night of the vote.

"If 'yes' wins on Sunday and the Venezuelan oligarchy, the violent Venezuelans — the ones who play the (U.S.) empire's game — unleash violence with the tale that there was fraud ... minister, that very Monday you order a halt to the shipments of oil to the United States," Chavez said, addressing his oil minister, Rafael Ramirez.

"Oil will not go out to the United States," Chavez said, warning the opposition if they take to streets to deny a legitimate victory, "they're going to regret it."

complete article

 

100,000 March Against Hugo Chavez Reforms


November 30, 2007

More than 100,000 marchers flooded the streets of Caracas yesterday to protest against proposed constitutional changes that would dramatically widen the powers of President Hugo Chavez.

As polls predicted an agonisingly close result in Sunday’s referendum, legions of protesters stormed along the Venezuelan capital’s central avenue, blowing whistles, waving placards and shouting “Not like this!”

Some taunted "Shut up!" echoing a outburst by King Juan Carlos of Spain at a recent summit, which has become a popular ring tone among students.

There were no official counts of those present but Leopoldo Lopez, an opposition politician, estimated that at least 160,000 had taken part in the demonstration, the official close of the campaign against the proposed reforms.

But Mr Chavez vowed that a march by his supporters, scheduled for today, would see Thursday’s turnout tripled. He has described his fresh-faced rivals as “daddy’s little children”, “fascists; and “the children of the rich”, accusing them of acting on orders from the US Government.

The students who have re-energised the country’s fractured opposition – and at times clashed violently with police – helped to make the rally one of the largest to denounce Mr Chavez since he was elected by a landslide in 1998.

complete article
 

Ex-wife Leads Opponents of Chavez's Power Vote

December 1, 2007
By Jeremy McDermott
BOGOTA, Colombia  

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's ex-wife, his former mentor and the previous defense minister are among the millions opposing a referendum tomorrow on plans to give the Venezuelan leader greatly expanded powers.

"This reform definitely favors the president, as there is a clear and evident concentration of power in his hands," said his ex-wife, Marisabel Rodriguez, a former member of the National Assembly and now a tireless critic.

Other former allies of Mr. Chavez — who says he wants to rule until the 2030s and possibly for the rest of his life — also called the referendum a power grab.

"This is a constitutional fraud, which the country must repudiate and reject," said Luis Miquilena, 88, once Mr. Chavez's political mentor and the mastermind of his first electoral victory in 1998.

Perhaps the most damning opposition has come from Gen. Raul Baduel, the former defense minister who rescued Mr. Chavez when he was briefly overthrown in 2002.

Gen. Baduel calls the constitutional referendum a "coup d'etat."

Datanalysis, one of the most respected Venezuelan polling firms, released a survey saying that 48 percent of respondents oppose the amendments, compared with 39 percent in favor of them.

If this is correct, then Mr. Chavez is looking at his first electoral defeat in nine years. Thus far, he has won three general elections and two referendums.

complete article

Venezuela Awash In Chavez Trinkets Ahead Of Referendum

The Associated Press
Saturday, December 1, 2007
CARACAS, Venezuela

As President Hugo Chavez extols the evils of capitalism and vows to transform Venezuela into a socialist state, street vendors are doing a brisk business in hundreds of collectibles bearing the president's image.

Chavez has become as iconic here as Mickey Mouse — or perhaps Chavez's revolutionary hero Ernesto "Che" Guevara — as his supporters snap up T-shirts, socks, key chains, pocket watches, mugs, hats, gloves and berets bearing his likeness and colored bright red for his revolutionary movement.

There's even a talking Chavez doll, dressed in military garb and a red beret, with a street price of a little more than US$5 (€3.40). Press a button on Little Hugo's back, and the doll repeats slogans like "Onward!" and "Viva Venezuela!"

Another of the most popular items among "Chavistas," as the president's backers are known, is a 10-song CD of reggaeton, folkloric and other rhythms mixed with snippets from his speeches.

Selling for US$2 (€1.35), the disc titled "Ahora si" — or "Now, Yes" — was produced to promote Sunday's referendum. The government is asking Venezuelans to say "yes" to a slate of constitutional changes that would, among other things, allow Chavez to seek re-election indefinitely.

In the run-up to the vote, Chavistas danced and sang along at several intersections in the capital where speakers, set up by the president's campaign, blared the songs at deafening volumes.

"At home I have a little beer mug and five different Chavez hats that I've bought," said Carmen Armas, a 37-year-old homemaker from a poor neighborhood who professed to having "blind faith" in Chavez.

"Now I'm looking for a calendar."

 

[Former President Jimmy Carter]

...Mr. Chávez wouldn't be close to pulling this off if he hadn't already used his nine years in power to neuter Venezuela's independent political institutions. To gain control of the Supreme Court, Mr. Chávez increased the number of justices to 32 from 20. Then he fired the National Electoral Council (CNE) and named his own version, which presided over a crooked and non-transparent August 2004 recall referendum.

Former President Jimmy Carter nonetheless blessed that fraud, and the Bush State Department went along too. For their part, Venezuelans have so little faith in an honest vote that they boycotted the 2005 legislative elections; chavista candidates won 100% of the seats.

In 2002 Mr. Chávez also purged the military after it refused to fire on protestors and briefly removed him from power. In that event, Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd rushed to support Mr. Chávez while ignoring the pleas of labor unions, human rights activists and religious leaders that he was abusing his power. Another enthusiastic supporter is Joseph P. Kennedy II, who in exchange for discounts on Venezuelan oil has been promoting the president as a benefactor to America's poor.

Despite this help from abroad, Mr. Chávez's popularity at home has been dropping sharply as Venezuelans rebel against this electoral putsch. Students have been pushing back hard against limits on free speech, and even former ally General Raul Baduel has called the referendum a "coup against democracy" and joined the opposition.

Polls show most Venezuelans are also opposed, but a genuinely fair vote may be impossible. The President's electoral council controls the voter rolls, the voting machines and the ultimate count. Yet whatever today's outcome, the real story of this referendum is that Mr. Chávez's days as a Venezuelan hero are over. His grab for power is so blatant that it has aroused a passive public, as shown by the huge and peaceful "no" rally in Caracas on Thursday. Maybe his American friends will even figure it out.


Read it all at: http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/fe...ml?id=110010935

[THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE]

Chavez Loses Constitutional Vote

Chavez Loses Vote That Would Have Let Him Run for Re-Election Indefinitely

The Associated Press
CARACAS, Venezuela

President Hugo Chavez suffered a stinging defeat in a vote on constitutional changes that would have let him run for re-election indefinitely, the chief of National Electoral Council said Monday.

Voters defeated the sweeping measures by a vote of 51 percent to 49 percent, Tibisay Lucena said.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) A vote on sweeping constitutional reforms that could let Hugo Chavez hold the presidency for life remained unresolved early Monday, with the government saying it was too close to call and the opposition pressing for results.

Tensions grew as hours passed after the official close of voting with no announcement of results. The referendum on constitutional changes was a critical test for a leader bent on turning this major U.S. oil provider into a socialist state.

An emboldened opposition and clashes during student-led protests in recent weeks prompted fears of bitter conflict if either side disputed the results.

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles said early Monday that "the time has come to announce the results to the country." Capriles earlier had noted that 97 percent of polling stations are automated.

Another opposition spokesman Leopoldo Lopez, mayor of the Caracas district of Chacao, claimed earlier that results seen by election monitors "indicate the 'no' vote is going to win."

Caravans of Chavez's supporters had taken to the streets after polls closed, honking horns and blaring celebratory music in anticipation of victory. But their enthusiasm appeared to fade as the hours wore on.

"The result of the referendum is close," Vice President Jorge Rodriguez said from Chavez's campaign headquarters. "We will respect the result, whatever it is even if it's by one single vote."

Chavez's opponents fear a win by the president could mean a plunge toward dictatorship. Supporters have faith that Chavez would use the reforms to deepen grass-roots democracy and more equitably spread Venezuela's oil wealth.

The changes would help transform the major U.S. oil provider into a socialist state. They would create new forms of communal property, let Chavez handpick local leaders under a redrawn political map, permit civil liberties to be suspended under extended states of emergency and allow Chavez to seek re-election indefinitely. Otherwise, he cannot run again in 2012.

Chavez warned opponents ahead of the vote he would not tolerate attempts to incite violence, and threatened to cut off oil exports to the U.S. if Washington interferes. Chavez calls those who resist his socialist agenda pawns of President Bush.complete article

Venezuela Hands Narrow Defeat to Chávez Plan

By SIMON ROMERO
CARACAS, Venezuela,
Monday, Dec. 3

Voters in this country narrowly defeated a proposed overhaul to the constitution in a contentious referendum over granting President Hugo Chávez sweeping new powers, the Election Commission announced early Monday.

It was the first major electoral defeat in the nine years of his presidency. Voters rejected the 69 proposed amendments 51 to 49 percent.

The political opposition erupted into celebration, shooting fireworks into the air and honking car horns, when electoral officials announced the results at 1:20 a.m. The nation had remained on edge since polls closed Sunday afternoon and the wait for results began.

The outcome is a stunning development in a country where Mr. Chávez and his supporters control nearly all of the levers of power. Almost immediately after the results were broadcast on state television, Mr. Chávez conceded defeat, describing the results as a “photo finish.”

“I congratulate my adversaries for this victory,” he said. “For now, we could not do it.”

Opposition leaders were ecstatic. “Tonight, Venezuela has won,” said Manuel Rosales, governor of Zulia State and the opposition’s candidate in presidential elections last year.

In recent weeks, members of previously splintered opposition movements joined disillusioned Chávez supporters in an attempt to defeat the referendum on constitutional changes. The plan would abolish term limits, allow Mr. Chávez to declare states of emergency for unlimited periods and increase the state’s role in the economy, among other measures.

The defeat slows Mr. Chávez’s socialist-inspired transformation of the country. Venezuela, once a staunch ally of the United States, has become a leading opponent of the Bush administration’s policies in the developing world. It has also taken the most profound leftward turn of any large Latin American nation in decades.

complete article

"Elections - I don't need no stinkin' elections."


Where was Jimmy Carter on this?

I am absolutely perplexed by this. I just assumed that this would be a rigged vote along the lines of the 100% that Saddam always received. Does anyone really believe that Chavez will simply walk away in 2012?

 

Marc from what I've read today this is nothing more than a show to keep pressure off Chavez from the international community. None of the typical election monitoring organizations or individuals even showed the slightest bit of interest in this election.

There was a former president of Bolivia I believe it was that when he entered the country Chavez had his election monitoring credentials confiscated at which point he remark was "Chavez cannot silence me".

We would be foolish to believe this knucklehead will go away, the larger question will now be what if anything would the international community do if he's to crush his opposition like the Soviets did?

[Chavez Says Not a Defeat]

Behind Chavez's Defeat in Venezuela

December 3, 2007, 11:31AM EST

Voters' surprise rejection of the President's constitutional reforms may mean more stability for business and the economy in the oil-rich nation
by Peter Wilson

After nearly 10 years of watching Venezuela move to the left under President Hugo Chavez, Victor Martinez, a 40-year-old pet store owner, finally has reason to cheer. On Dec. 2, voters rejected Chavez's request to change the country's constitution to give him greater powers and allow him to serve as President for life. "We had to reject his proposals," says Martinez, who had worried about his business being taken over. "It was our only option."

The defeat calls into question whether Chavez will be able to deepen his socialist revolution in the oil-rich country. He has been pushing for more government control over the economy, which is suffering from high inflation and shaky business confidence. In June, he forced international oil companies (BusinessWeek.com, 6/26/07), including Chevron (CVX) and BP (BP), to hand majority control of their local operations over to the state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), a move that prompted ExxonMobil (XOM) and ConocoPhillips (COP) to pull out of the country.

"The election showed the majority in Venezuela doesn't share Chavez's socialist vision," says Oscar Schemel, head of Caracas' Hinterlaces polling agency. "There is growing discontent with Chavez's leadership."

Chavez Says Not a Defeat

People poured into the streets to celebrate the results after Chavez acknowledged the outcome. Voters broke Chavez's string of more than a dozen electoral victories since 1998, rejecting 50.7% to 49.3% dozens of amendments to the 1999 constitution. About 56% of the country's voters participated. Most polls had given opponents of the referendum a slight lead in the days running up to the vote in spite of lavish government spending to pass the proposal.

While accepting the outcome of the voting, Chavez isn't giving up his effort to change the country's government. "This isn't a defeat," he said at a press conference, just minutes after the results were released early on the morning of Dec. 3. "For me, it's another 'for now.'" The expression has an important historical reference in Venezuela. Chavez led a coup attempt in 1992 that failed. After that unsuccessful attempt, Chavez said his efforts had ended "for now" and vowed to continue his struggle—an effort that eventually put him in power.

The constitutional reforms Chavez sought this time would have expanded the presidential term of office to seven years, up from its current six years, while scrapping term limits. Other changes would have ended the autonomy of the central bank and made it easier to seize private property. Another proposal would have overhauled the country's military, giving more power to a civilian reserve created by Chavez. Another would have cut the workweek by 25%.

Still Holds the Power

Tensions in the country could escalate in the days ahead. "Venezuela is going into a period of uncertainty and instability," says Julia Buxton, a professor at the University of Bradford in Britain. "Much will depend on how the opposition reacts to their victory, and if they decide to work with the government." She says the opposition may run into trouble if it interprets this victory as a mandate to push Chavez from office. "The President remains very popular," she says.

The results mean that Chavez will serve through 2012, barring any additional changes. "We will continue constructing socialism but under this constitution," Chavez said at the press conference, holding a copy of the 1999 constitution. Chavez, who was granted powers earlier this year to pass bills by decree, has the right to exercise that power for another 10 months.

complete article

I am absolutely perplexed by this. I just assumed that this would be a rigged vote along the lines of the 100% that Saddam always received. Does anyone really believe that Chavez will simply walk away in 2012?

Chavez has been smart to date on not trying to make it appear too rigged.  His underlings might have miscalculated and the election came out against him.

That sad thing is 49% of Venezuelans voted for dictatorship.

This combination of qoutes was like watching Kevin Bacon trying to calm the panicked crowd by repeating "Remain Calm All Is Well" at the parade in the end of "Animal House". The only difference is Chavez is Douglas Neidermeyer (additionally of "Animal House" fame) on steroids w/many additional weapons at his disposal.

"From this moment on let's be calm; There is no dictatorship here"

Dec 3 01:52 PM US/Eastern
By FRANK BAJAK
Associated Press Writer
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)

Humbled by his first electoral defeat ever, 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 reforms 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!"

Without the overhaul, Chavez will be barred from running again in 2012.

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

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 democratic leader.

"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."
 
complete article

[NO LONGER INVINCIBLE]

Venezuela's Triumphant Opposition Faces Long Road

Monday December 3 2007
By Brian Ellsworth
CARACAS, Dec 3 (Reuters)

Bigger and bolder, Venezuela's opposition has gained on President Hugo Chavez for the first time in years with a vote win that stops him grabbing new powers but it has a long way to go to halt his socialist revolution.

Opposition groups scored a David-versus-Goliath victory in Sunday's referendum on a string of reforms that would have allowed the anti-U.S. leader to stand for reelection indefinitely and push ahead in his assault on capitalism.

It was Chavez's first defeat at the polls since he swept to power in 1998, and a succession of politicians basked in their triumph on Monday with long televised speeches in praise of Venezuelans' democratic spirit.

But Chavez still has firm control over the military, Congress and the OPEC member's state oil company, and the opposition newspaper Tal Cual was quick to point out how daunting a task it will be to make him change course.
"We have so far to go my friend, so far to go," read a political cartoon that showed two ragged, thirsty men trudging through a barren desert.

Although Chavez activated a powerful, state-backed electoral machine in support of his reforms, the "No" camp narrowly won with 51 percent of the vote.
Now the loose coalition of political parties, university students and civic groups will try to put aside old rivalries, agree on a leadership and develop a political platform to challenge the former paratrooper.

NO LONGER INVINCIBLE

The defection of longtime allies who denounced Chavez's reforms as authoritarian has also broadened the opposition's appeal.

The president wanted to force Venezuelans to accept a project that was his. This change was not proposed by the people," said Raul Baduel, an ex-defense minister who rescued Chavez from a botched 2002 coup but broke with him this year.
Still, opposition parties will have to overcome years of bickering that has led to repeated failures, including national strikes and the ill-fated coup.complete article