Black Sunday
International media is reporting that Both Hugo Chavez and Vladimir Putin have used a mask of democracy to grab personal power - in both cases, probably for life. The Putin election was a done deal even before it started. The Chavez one most likely was as well. Despite polls showing that the Venezuelan people did not want Chavez's "reforms", Chavez utterly controls the mechanisms of voting. But that result may still be up in the air according to late-breaking news.
CARACAS (Reuters) - Three cabinet ministers on Sunday said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez won a referendum on whether he can run indefinitely for reelection.
The ministers, who asked not to be named, cited preliminary polling and electoral data.
And:
MOSCOW - Vladimir Putin's party won a crushing victory in parliamentary elections Sunday, paving the way for the authoritarian leader to remain in control even after he steps down as president.
The vote followed a tense Kremlin campaign that relied on a combination of persuasion and intimidation to ensure victory for the United Russia party and for Putin, who has used a flood of oil revenues to move his country onto a more assertive position on the global stage.
"The vote affirmed the main idea: that Vladimir Putin is the national leader, that the people support his course, and this course will continue," party leader and parliament speaker Boris Gryzlov said after exit polls were announced.
Venezuela News and Views, however, says that something is going on that doesn't look right at all. Chavez scheduled a press conference - then abruptly canceled it.
1) Serious source tells me Chavez canceled his press conference.
2)Jorge Rodriguez on TV, with bags under eyes dropping to his knees, calling to all to keep the piece and recognizing that the election is close!!!!
The Devil's Excrement reports some Chavista shenanigans:
5:20 PM Two friends at polling booths report in the East of Caracas lower abstention, higher anti-Chavez votes
5:31 PM Globovision report Chavista group detained in Zulia trying to vote twice
I'm not sure this one is over yet. The lights may not have gone out for Venezuela yet. Cross your fingers, say a prayer, think good thoughts, worry. Whatever. Just hope for them.
UPDATE: Gateway Pundit is also following this closely and says that his report of a Chavez victory may not be correct at this point. He is looking at the same Venezuelan blogs that I am. This is still very much up in the air.
World news | Gaius Sunday, 2 December , 2007
Other Links to this Post
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Blue Star Chronicles — Monday, 3 December , 2007 @ 12:26 am
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Public Secrets: from the files of the Irishspy — Tuesday, 4 December , 2007 @ 12:32 pm
By Mwalimu Daudi, Sunday, 2 December , 2007 @ 10:31 pm
I suspect that at some point Jimmy Carter will ride to the rescue of Chavez and put his stamp of approval on the referendum.
It’s ironic that, when compared to Russia or Venezuela, Iraq seems to have a more robust democracy. For all the criticism of Iraqi political leaders and institutions, I don’t see a Putin or Chavez-type leader emerging there.
By Former Republican, Monday, 3 December , 2007 @ 7:30 am
Blue Star Chronicles: Now that Chavez has lost, are you going to reassess your view that democracy in Venezuela is an illusion?
By martian, Monday, 3 December , 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Democracy (what little is left of it) in Venezuela has had a temporary reprieve - that’s all. As long as Chavez remains in power, he will continue to do his best to erode democracy at every turn and make sure his grip on power remains secure. I’d be willing to wager that he is already planning his NEXT referendum for invalidating the Venezuelan Constitution. And, yes, Former Republican, you can quote me on that one!