Hail to the Thief?(possible fraud in referendum over Hugo Chavez's presidency)(Brief Article) From: National Review | Date: September 13, 2004 | COPYRIGHT 2004 National Review, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

* Hail to the Thief? Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez beat back a recall referendum with a remarkable feat of electoral transubstantiation: He changed an overwhelmingly hostile exit-poll majority (59 percent against him) into an overwhelmingly supportive ballot-box majority (59 percent in favor). Yet two international observers--Jimmy Carter and the secretary general of the Organization of American States, Cesar Gaviria--instantly anointed Mr. Chavez the victor by endorsing the gov...