Reply #13: The fact that

[manic expression]

Jimmy Carter signed off the elections as legitimate should have you questioning your conclusions on Venezuelan democracy in general.

I hope you don't get flamed, but that is patently untrue. The opposition made a piss-poor boycott just to get this type of reaction. They are highly unpopular, so such a boycott made little difference in the results. Even with control of virtually the whole of Venezuela's media, they cannot amount much support from the populace. The reason some Venezuelans are not represented is because they chose NOT to vote. That's it, the opposition made a foolish move with no reason to do so, and it has absolutely no bearing on Venezuelan democracy.

Another thing is that the failed coup made the opposition EVER MORE unpopular with the people. Notice that Chavez did not even go after the would be usurpers! Now that's tolerance for the opposition.