Chavez, The Dispensible Man, Loses His Constitutional Vote

"Chavez loses constitutional vote" from the AP reports that bombastic President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela lost his bid to change the country's constitution - that would essentially allow him to rule for life.  With 88% of the vote in, the margin was 51-49 rejecting the proposed "reforms".  Chavez was criticized by a number of entitties, including the Catholic Church and his ex-wife.  He blamed the results on a low turnout of his supporters, but said he would stand by the results and that there would be no dictatorship (for now).

The defeated reforms would have created new forms of communal property, let Chavez handpick local leaders under a redrawn political map, lengthened presidential terms from six to seven years and let Chavez seek re-election indefinitely. Now, Chavez will be barred from running again in 2012.

Michelle Malkin weighs in...

Other changes would have shortened the workday from eight hours to six, created a social security fund for millions of informal laborers and promoted communal councils where residents decide how to spend government funds.