A loss for Chávez

Gene from Harry’s has an interesting post on Hugo Chávez’s defeat on a referendum, whose goal was to make it possible to run for president as many times as he wanted . Sugary excerpt:

I've never believed Chavez is uniquely evil among world leaders, or even among the very worst. I focus on him because of his inexplicably high standing among the "anti-imperialist" Left. They need to be reminded exactly whom they're supporting. I'll wait to see if the new kinder, gentler Chavez is for real. And if it is, I wonder how long some chavistas will continue to back him.

It is unfortunate, but true that too many people ant to believe that it is possible to achieve just means through unjust means. They use the fact that a country isn’t developed or Western as an excuse for the use “undemocratic” methods when their goal is either to achieve order (Musharraf is good example) or justice, which is supposedly Chávez’s objective.

Comments

[Craig]

Is Chavez going to respect the referendum? If he does that'll make him a leader no less undemocratic they, say, de Gaulle. (constitutional revolution, autocratic presidency, not letting your political opponents get in the media... but not acting without popular support)