Capriles refuses to recognize the election results

[Catherina]

Says he won't recognize them until there's been a vote by vote recount.

What a surprise. His speech is following Otto Reich's script to the letter.

Venezuela's Capriles refuses to accept Maduro win
Reuters – 26 mins ago


CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles refused on Monday to accept ruling party candidate Nicolas Maduro's narrow election victory and demanded a recount.

"We have different results," Capriles said in a speech to the nation shortly after midnight, alleging thousands of irregularities in Sunday's vote. "Mr. Maduro, if you were illegitimate before, now you are more so."

http://news.yahoo.com/venezuelas-capriles-refuses-accept-maduro-win-052348805.html

[roody]

1. Wouldn't it be awesome to know

that your vote can be counted and recounted?

[joshcryer]

5. Let's see if the CNE allows a recount.

All Capriles is asking is for the ability to recount.

One thing important about Venezuela's election process is that they do a count of the votes at the tables right after the election. This is what verifies the vote is legit and can be compared to the voting machine count.

All Capriles wants is access to the paper recount.

[ocpagu]

42. "All Capriles wants is access to the paper recount"...

I know exactly what he wants.

And I know he won't get it. Cry a river.

[joshcryer]

45. I don't care really.

I think he'll get the kind of verification he needs.

I'm glad the Carter Center is watching.

[flamingdem]

2. What happens in the Otto Reich script?

Is the idea to smear or more than that?

[Catherina]

6. Short version

Refuse to recognize the results, cause civil unrest so the US can move in to prevent "unrest" south of its border. I'll try to find it for you tomorrow.

This will have to do for tonight.


////

Faced with imminent defeat, some in the opposition seem intent on repeating the old tricks of discrediting or sabotaging the electoral system to justify their defeats.

There have been weeks of opposition and attacks from the private Venezuelan media on the independent National Electoral Council, which oversees all electoral processes. Earlier this week Capriles said that he would not sign a National Electoral Council document to guarantee that he would recognise the results.

...

Further evidence includes an audio recording of a phone conversation leaked to the public in which Capriles's bodyguard and driver said that Capriles wouldn't recognise Sunday's results if he loses.

Fears that the ground is being prepared for the non-acceptance of the results were heightened by remarks from US Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jackson, who claimed last week that it was "difficult" to have "open, fair and transparent elections" in Venezuela.

For the right-wing opposition and the US, these allegations are just a fig leaf of an excuse to explain an impending defeat and to seek to deny the Maduro government legitimacy in the international arena.

...

Washington appears involved in this campaign too, as shown by a recent email from Amando Briquet of Capriles's campaign team saying: "We need everything set out in Washington for checking over … It's necessary that all documentation is presented internationally if we decide to take the road of not recognising the results."

...

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/131649

[sabrina 1]

52. I was just going to write that. The formula never changes, does it?

The push to get Venezuela under their control again seems pretty desperate. I guess they saw Chavez' death as their chance, and it backfired. They never give up. They can't just deal with a sovereign nation with any kind of respect and honesty.

Sometimes I am so ashamed of this country. A lot of the time.

[Catherina]

18. His buddy Noriega formulated it here

Foreign and Defense Policy, Latin America
A post-Chávez checklist for US policymakers
Roger Noriega | March 5, 2013, 4:59 pm

Roger Noriega: A post-Chávez checklist for US policymakers


...

The State Department should set aside any plans that would legitimize a successor regime in Caracas, at least until key demands are met:

-The ouster of narco-kingpins who now hold senior posts in government;

-The respect for a constitutional succession;

-The adoption of meaningful electoral reforms to ensure a fair campaign environment and a transparent vote count in expected presidential elections; and

-The dismantling of Iranian and Hezbollah networks in Venezuela.

Now is the time for US diplomats to begin a quiet dialogue with key regional powers to explain the high cost of Chávez’s criminal regime, including the impact of chavista complicity with narcotraffickers who sow mayhem in Colombia, Central America, and Mexico. Perhaps then we can convince regional leaders to show solidarity with Venezuelan democrats who want to restore a commitment to the rule of law and to rebuild an economy that can be an engine for growth in South America.

As Venezuelan democrats wage that struggle against chavismo, regional leaders must make clear that Syria-style repression will never be tolerated in the Americas. We should defend the right of Venezuelans to struggle democratically to reclaim control of their country and its future. Only Washington can make clear to Chinese, Russian, Iranian, and Cuban leaders that, yes, the United States does mind if they try to sustain an undemocratic and hostile regime in Venezuela. Any attempt to suppress their self-determination with Chinese cash, Russian arms, Iranian terrorists, or Cuban thuggery will be met with a coordinated regional response.

...

US development agencies should work with friends in the region to form a task force of private sector representatives, economists, and engineers to work with Venezuelans to identify the economic reforms, infrastructure investments, security assistance, and humanitarian aid that will be required to stabilize and rebuild that country. Of course, the expectation will be that all the costs of these activities will be borne by an oil sector restored to productivity and profitability.

...

http://www.aei-ideas.org/2013/03/a-post-chavez-checklist-for-us-policymakers/

[flamingdem]

34. Same neo cons different war

hasta cuando?

[joshcryer]

3. He'll recognize it if it is legitimate.

Big deal, calling for a recount.

[ocpagu]

46. No, he won't.

He's following a script fabricated long before the election. Recognizing it after the recount is unlikely to be in his script.

[joshcryer]

49. I think he has proof it's illegitimate.

And I don't think you'll accept his evidence so of course you can't be wrong here.

Especially since you don't think there will be a recount.

Don't worry, Maduro will be selected and any fraud that is uncovered will be swept under the rug.

[msongs]

4. well he's not al gore lol nt

[Arctic Dave]

7. Yep.

Knew this was going to happen

Fascist are so predictable.

Expect the thugs to start a "march", then a riot so they can play the victim when the police crack down on them.

[joshcryer]

8. Asking for a recount is fascist?

Are you kidding me?

[Scootaloo]

14. Remember, this is DU

What, did you think this was some liberal, leftist website?

[joshcryer]

15. I think it's just a double standard.

[Arctic Dave]

16. This is just the beginning of the script.

Like I already posted, fascist always run the same play.

[RZM]

20. Or maybe it's just a request for a recount?

Which tends to, you know, happen in fairly close elections.

Does he tie his shoes in a distinctly fascist manner as well?

[Arctic Dave]

21. If there is such a way, I'm sure he does. nt

[RZM]

22. Can one oppose Chavismo and not be a fascist?

Or is fascist status automatically conferred on anybody solely for not going along?

I have no strong opinions on Chavez, Maduro, or Capriles. I never have. I just think it's a bit odd that you seem to leave no room for opposition here.

[Arctic Dave]

23. Can they? Sure.

But these asshats are tried and true fascist who try to overthrow governments that they can't defeat at the ballot box.

[RZM]

24. I'm not aware of an impending coup attempt against Maduro

Are you suggesting one is in the works?

I'm not saying it's impossible at all. But I haven't seen evidence that the opposition will attempt to take power illegally anytime soon.

All I see here is a request for a recount. That seems perfectly fair to me.

[Bacchus4.0]

32. Maduro has said the opposition is "destabilizing" the country by doing 3 things:

1. Increasing the number of homicides. Homicides have skyrocketed during Hugo's reign, so apparently Maduro believes they will continue and his government can't or won't do anything to address the violence that plagues the country.

2. Sabotage the electrical system. The state owned electric authority has experienced increased blackouts recently due to neglect of the infrastructure and incompetence.

3. Assasinate Maduro as he claims. He also said the CIA wanted to assassinate Capriles and, of course, Chavez always claimed he was a target of assassination by the US.

[joshcryer]

39. Capriles has never tried to overthrow anyone.

[Arctic Dave]

40. No. He just hangs out with people who have tried.

Pal'in around with terr'ist

[joshcryer]

47. Like Maduro?

[Daniel537]

29. Asking for a recount is one thing

But declaring yourself to be the actual winner and your opponent to be "illegitimate" without any actual evidence of fraud, is reckless and irresponsible. Capriles is trying to incite his supporters, which could potentially lead to violence. He knows this, but he doesn't seem to care. A responsible person would simply call for a recount to make sure everything is in order but wouldn't go around calling his opponent an illegitimate thief without any evidence.

[joshcryer]

38. He has what are called actas.

After listening to his announcement for a third time I genuinely believe he believes he won and has evidence for it.

[ocpagu]

50. Sure.

We'll just have to wait for the next episode of...



"The Rich Also Cry"

...

[joshcryer]

51. Heh

[Catherina]

9. Agreed

Judy and I had a private conversation going about this. Lots of interference has been paid for and prepared.

Capriles has already started with statements that the Maduro government is "completely illegitimate".

[Catherina]

10. Capriles says his tally of votes came up with "a result that is different from the official results

At Capriles' campaign headquarters, people hung their heads quietly as the results were announced by an electoral council stacked with government loyalists. Many started crying; others just stared at TV screens in disbelief.

But Capriles emerged later to angrily reject the official vote totals.

"It is the government that has been defeated," he said.

Capriles said at his campaign's headquarters that his campaign's tally of votes came up with "a result that is different from the results announced today."

"The biggest loser today is you," he said, directly addressing Maduro through the camera. "The people don't love you."

Maduro said during his speech that Capriles had called him before the results were announced to suggest a "pact" and that Maduro refused.

There was no comment from Capriles' camp on Maduro's claim.

...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/venezuelans-choose-whether-to-back-chavezs-heir-or-take-new-path-with-emboldened-challenger/2013/04/14/18c90b70-a569-11e2-9e1c-bb0fb0c2edd9_story.html

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/04/15/choice-for-venezuelans-hugo-chavez-heir-or-fresh-start-with-emboldened/

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/eee885e6ba6949cd8a38cef99b607f1d/LT-Venezuela-Election

Stay classy Enrique.

[joshcryer]

11. Oh golly, suggesting a recount = classless.

What a joke.

[Daniel537]

25. Calling the official winner "illegitimate" without any hard evidence of fraud

is not just classless, its delusional. Capriles can whine all he wants, he will not be Venezuela's next President.

[joshcryer]

48. It's what Al Gore should've done in 2000.

Which many a progressive called upon him to do.

[Judi Lynn]

36. What a dirty, unethical, spiteful little maggot he is. "The people don't love you?"

What man of principle would EVER resort to something that childish to fling against an opponent?

Simply astounding. He must be giddy from his belief the powers that be have already fixed this for him, and he will be placed within Miraflores one way or another.

We realize the opposition (and its purely professional destabilizers in the US government) have already learned from the dirty coup they pulled on Chavez, so they will be incorporating knowledge of any mistakes made in that effort in order to avoid them this time.

Capriles is drunk with excitement, it appears! He has forgotten to act like a man.

[pa28]

12. I'd want a recount too but he's already calling Maduro "illegitimate"

At best Capriles is being kind of wuss about the results. At worst he would seem to be setting to table for revolt or foreign intervention in order to reverse a democratic and fair election.

Maybe next time he should wait for the results of the recount before shooting off like that. Or better yet just have a good cry. I think he'd feel better.

[joshcryer]

13. His witnesses have actas, post-vote audit tabulations.

Where they sit down and manually count the vote. It's simply not adding up. Because the voting system is triple congruence (central digital database, paper audit of 54% of the ballots, and paper printout of the vote), it is nearly impossible to commit fraud.

But the CNE transmits the final result.

Capriles is calling for the rest of the triple congruence system to be checked, because he has actas which, at least going by his wording, support that he won (in particular if you include the foreign vote).

edit: I think he's sort of forced to call Maduro illegitimate because he needs the audit and if he just says he wants it then there's the possibility he won't get it, so he has to make them do the audit by basically calling them out.

[naaman fletcher]

17. FYI

Here is a video of a government worker accompanying a woman into the voting booth:

[Daniel537]

26. How about some context?

Did the woman ask for the man's help? Is this illegal under Venezuelan law? etc...

[naaman fletcher]

28. I'm not sure

It's making the rounds on Spanish language message boards and I don't speak spanish very well.

[Daniel537]

30. That's why its important to be careful with these types of vids.

The average person might interpret it as a govt. "goon" forcing a woman to vote the "right" way, when it could just be a woman asking for help with her ballot.

[naaman fletcher]

31. Yes I agree. nt.

[joshcryer]

43. Yeah, I've seen it circulating, too. Just fodder for the most part.

Drama, etc. There's another one with a guy who has a hand full of cedulas (state IDs) and purports that he was going around voting stations revoting. But it's impossible to say for sure if it's real or staged, imo.

[joshcryer]

41. The main problem is he stays until the vote is complete.

From what I understand this is only allowed if the person is disabled or illiterate and needs help. Otherwise they must leave.

(You can see the vote is complete because as she comes around the machine she puts her ballot in the box.)

It's possible the woman needed her machine reset and the man reset it, and the woman simply voted right then and there and the man didn't have time to walk away.

But I personally feel his looking over his shoulder as he walked behind the machine sent off a body language that wasn't exactly trustworthy.

You are right, in the end, that there isn't enough context here to be sure anyway. Stronger evidence would be seeing him do this over and over throughout the day, etc.

[Catherina]

19. He's on record, weeks ago, saying he wouldn't recognize them

They're following their little script for your "at worst" scenario.

His fanatical supporters were fabricating and circulating "evidence" on twitter all day yesterday. Some of it was so laughable you wondered how old these people are.

[Daniel537]

27. Its childish, but its to be expected.

You can bet that if the official results had been the other way around and Maduro was demanding a recount, they would label him a "thief" and a "sore loser" etc... etc...

[Catherina]

33. expected and orchestrated

The discredited OAS is trying to come to Capriles' *rescue* now.

[flamingdem]

35. After the Honduras debacle

nothing surprises me..

[Judi Lynn]

37. The OAS which is supported 60% by US dollars. They'll help the little fella, for sure. n/t

[joshcryer]

44. Uh, you do realize that they're labeling Capriles a thief and sore loser, right?

In this very subforum...