What strikes me is the various opposition figures claiming this victory a fraud. How do they know without counting the votes?
I am not a populist, and I find little appeal in MR Chavez's populistic posture. But I also find his detractors, led by various segments of business interests, the media, and assorted rich even more obnoxious. The popular opposition to Mr. Chavez rule (3.6 million people or 42% of the votes) seems to be a fake grass-roots or "Astroturf" campaign mobilized by the media and spin doctors taking advantage of popular discontent with political institutions.
The reason I rejoice Mr. Chavez's victory is not his populism but the fact that he managed to kick the butt of a bunch of rich and arrogant people supported by US imperial interests - and that sets a good example for the rest of the world.
Wojtek