Checkmite
3rd December 2007, 10:58 AM
Link! (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071203/pl_afp/venezuelareferendumuswhouse)
It was the first time that Chavez, a charismatic left-wing firebrand who frequently criticizes US President George W. Bush, has lost at the polls since he came to power in 1999. His past elections have been easy victories.
"It was a close vote, 51 percent, and that's despite the opposition not being able to get out on TV and make its point. So I think that there's some interesting analysis that can be done there by political experts," said Perino.
...
There was a disturbing few hours after the vote, however, during which the government gave no results whatsoever and Chavez pondered what to do.
"I tell you from the heart: for a few hours I debated with myself, in a dilemma," Chavez said. "I've now left the dilemma behind and I'm calm. I hope the Venezuelans are as well."
It was the first time that Chavez, a charismatic left-wing firebrand who frequently criticizes US President George W. Bush, has lost at the polls since he came to power in 1999. His past elections have been easy victories.
"It was a close vote, 51 percent, and that's despite the opposition not being able to get out on TV and make its point. So I think that there's some interesting analysis that can be done there by political experts," said Perino.
...
There was a disturbing few hours after the vote, however, during which the government gave no results whatsoever and Chavez pondered what to do.
"I tell you from the heart: for a few hours I debated with myself, in a dilemma," Chavez said. "I've now left the dilemma behind and I'm calm. I hope the Venezuelans are as well."