That opportunity was denied to him last December when he lost a referendum that would have given him the right to be re-elected for life plus other presidential powers.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Venezuela��s challenge

In a referendum this past February 15th, Hugo Chavez managed to reverse the results of the previous December 2, 2007 vote by winning the constitutional right to be re-elected indefinitely.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Civil disobedience as an option for Venezuela

"The right wing, even if they were elected to be lawmakers, cannot use the halls of parliament to spread the winds of war, to attack the peace of the republic, against internal order, against the institutions of the country, and even less to stimulate fascist violence that continues casting a pall over Venezuelan homes, " he said.

CNN: Lawmakers report brawl in Venezuelan National Assembly

"He has the constitutional right to choose to be re-elected, " Mr Garcia Linera said in Bolivia's main city, La Paz.

BBC: Bolivia: New law backs President Evo Morales third term

We would all like to see our elected officials have the backbone to do the right thing even when there will be a political price to pay.

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Right now the political atmosphere in Washington is toxic, and it will continue to be until a new president is elected (perhaps even after).

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