I agree, but perception is more important that the reality in politics. That he lost an election for the first time and then peacefully conceded defeat will make it harder for the domestic opposition to claim he is a dictator. Some segments will, but other groups that opposed Chavez in this issue will likely drift away from the hardcore anti-Chavistas.
> Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 14:54:09 -0600> From: jthorn65 at sbcglobal.net> To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org> Subject: Re: [lbo-talk] NYT: Chavez loses, 51% to 49%; Chavez does concede on TV> > He's always had democratic legitimacy. It isn't something he 'now' has.> > John Thornton> > > > > Alex Hogan wrote:> > some historians think the most decisive moment in the creation of the United States wasn't Valley Forge or the Declaration of Independence but was the moment when John Adams quietly left the Presidency after losing to Jefferson. Chavez still has until 2012 to do what he wants to do. In the long run, he is in a stronger position. He now has democratic legitamcy which will likely fragment his opposition and make it easier to pass some of his reforms, even if they will be now watered down. > > > > ___________________________________> http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk
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