A boost for Democracy

It is good to see Venezuela reject Hugo Chavez’s bid to become President for Life.

CARACAS, Venezuela<, Dec. 3 — Boisterous Venezuelans celebrated in Caracas early today after voters narrowly defeated a proposed overhaul to the constitution in a contentious referendum over granting President Hugo Chávez sweeping new powers.

It was the first major electoral defeat in the nine years of his presidency. Voters rejected the 69 proposed amendments 51 to 49 percent, according to the Election Commission.

Whenever a citizenry can thwart a naked power grab by exercising the right to vote, faith in the system grows. For a country with a somewhat spotty democratic resume (three coup attempts since 1992), this is doubly true.