Chávez Loses Venezuelan Referendum

So, Chávez’s quest to become President for life has been defeated. Quoting the Washington Post:

Venezuelan voters delivered a stinging defeat to President Hugo Chávez on Sunday, blocking proposed constitutional changes that would have given him political supremacy and accelerated the transformation of this oil-rich country into a socialist state.

Hours after the final ballots were cast, the National Electoral Council announced at 1:15 a.m. local time Monday that voters, by a margin of 51 to 49 percent, had rejected 69 reforms to the 1999 constitution. The modifications would have permitted the president to stand for reelection indefinitely, appoint governors to provinces he would create and control Venezuela’s sizable foreign reserves.

Chávez immediately went on national television and conceded before a roomful of government allies and other supporters. “I thank you and I congratulate you,” Chávez said calmly, directing his comments to his foes. “I recognize the decision a people have made.” Chávez admitted, though, that he had found himself in a quandary on Sunday night as votes were being tallied, because the vote was so close. But he said that with nearly 90 percent of 9 million ballots counted, it became clear that his opponents’ victory was irreversible. “I came out of the dilemma,” he said, “and I am calm.”

I doubt that I was alone in expecting Chávez to win, in which case many folks (myself included) would have speculated that the vote was rigged.

However, despite how misguided I think his efforts are, Chávez at least deserves credit for respecting the vote…this time.