Chavez's constitutional challenge

USA Today has reprinted an AP article about how Chavez trailing in his attempts to amend the Venezuelan constitution. It seems that a Venezuelan company, Datanalasis, has found support for these constitutional amendments at 39% with 49% opposition. They interviewed about 1,800 people of all socio-economic and other sub-populations. In previous elections the company has accurately predicted Chavez's victories. I thought this would be an interesting story to discuss because we're looking at stats and polls in 3004 right now.

The story leads with the above info. Alread, the second paragraph explains that the company has consistently found accurate results for Chavez. This seems like an attempt to preempt criticisms of the company by Chavez supporters. That might seem strange for the United States (at least blatantly), but in Latin America, with such a history of outside and elite intervention including coups, this is just being realistic.

The next important info explains the numbers and survey. Only after that does it segue into what the heck the constitutional amendment is about. It actually only gives a little information about it, I would have appreciated some background of WHY Chavez wants these changes and what the general criticism would be.It closes with info on how the interviews were conducted before closing with a statement connecting about Chavez and his connection to Castro.