New York Times: Chavez's Takeover Spree

http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=22&media_view_id=10102

New York Times: Chavez's Takeover Spree (4/24/08)

After cheering the cancellation of Venezuelan democracy in 2002, the New York Times editors recently weighed in with advice to the opponents of Venezuela's democratically elected president on how "to deal another blow for democracy" in Venezuela:

Mr. Chávez lost last year’s referendum because students, business leaders, members of the usually ineffectual opposition and some former supporters were willing to work together.

They have an opportunity to deal another blow for democracy in this November’s elections. The vast majority of Venezuela's state governors and mayors are Chávez supporters. Defeating them at the polls would send a clear message that Venezuelans are truly fed up with Mr. Chávez's incompetent and authoritarian ways.

Writing of Chávez's nationalization of steel and cement companies, the Times writes, "What is certain is that the country’s economy will suffer," citing "bungled management" at state-owned companies and the danger of scaring away "much-needed private investment." "Even soaring oil prices aren’t helping," the Times declares.

Reality check: Last year, according to the CIA, Venezuela's economy grew by 8.3 percent. By comparison, Mexico, which also benefits from higher oil prices, but has a conservative government that tends to follow U.S. economic advice, grew by 3 percent--just a bit above population growth. One gets the impression that the Times cares about the economic prospects of Venezuelans about as much as it cares about their democracy.