Don't count your chickens ...Dec 3rd, 2007 - 23:15:54

This thing is far from over, and Chavez is legally in office until 2012.

He overreached, and darned near won anyway. Other countries in South America are after the same thing.

ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hAyrGfE-ZWy2y7T2UdYkNsnzF65gD8TA7BFO0

'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'

Chavez has a lot of control, and is an egomaniac who got carried away, asking for too much. Next time, he'll be smarter. Without an opponent who can run unmolested, the choice is Chavez with expanded powers ... or Chavez.

Chavez has unpopular issues ahead, such as price increases on many food items, gas increase, devaluation, and food item shortages. The 4.4% inflation for last November foreshadows a two-digit number next year.

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SP4: Venezuela is not CubaDec 4th, 2007 - 02:27:49

Better consider THAT bonehead...

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FrankDec 4th, 2007 - 05:49:34

A 2% difference between yes and no isn't a statistically significant difference. It is basically a tie. Watch out for round 2.

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Chavez was trying to -be- CubaDec 4th, 2007 - 06:12:45

Castro is one of his ideals, but Chavez overreached. This is what happens to egomaniacs. Chavez is smart, and has until 2012 to get what he's after. What would undo him is the economic situation, since his constituency is the poor, who have essentially been bribed.

Chavez is seen as a champion among the poor, for using Venezuela's oil revenues for spending on social programs. His attitude towards the wealthy, and close ties with Fidel Castro made him many enemies among the upper class, and foreign oil companies have deserted him.

The history of Castro under Cuba, including basing of Russian missiles, has no similarity to the Venezuelan situation. We are hostage to Chavez' oil.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Missile_Crisis

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