Chavez loses Constitutional vote but gains some respect

Many have argued that the Constitutional elections in Venezuela were going to be rigged to give Chavaz his victory in the election to stand indefinitely for re-election. Well, he lost the election by a very narrow margin, 51% to 49%. For all the negativity that has gone on between him and President Bush over the past 7 years, one must respect Chavez for his respect of free elections in his country. It could have been otherwise. It could have even been violent. Thank God it wasn't. I hope we use this defeat as an opportunity to heal some differences with him but more importantly with the Venezuelan people, who are a wonderful, passionate people, who take their democracy very seriously.

You may have lost this election and madate from your people, President Chavez, but you have gained my respect and others as well.