We already knew that Hugo Chávez is a nutcase, but apparently Venezuelans know it, too.

The New York Times reports today:

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Voters in this country narrowly defeated a proposed overhaul to the constitution in a contentious referendum over granting President Hugo Chávez sweeping new powers, the Election Commission announced early Monday.

It was the first major electoral defeat in the nine years of his presidency. Voters rejected the 69 proposed amendments 51 to 49 percent…

In recent weeks, members of previously splintered opposition movements joined disillusioned Chávez supporters in an attempt to defeat the referendum on constitutional changes. The plan would abolish term limits, allow Mr. Chávez to declare states of emergency for unlimited periods and increase the state’s role in the economy, among other measures.

Is this the beginning of Chávez's demise?

Fausta has a news roundup and says, "Chavez is not done, but for the first time in nine years he has been defeated at the very polls he has manipulated so often."

Bloggers like A.J. Strata think Chávez is an idiot: "Clearly Chavez needed more fake ballots to stuff than he first estimated." Drew M. at Ace of Spades quips, "Fidel would have never made this type of amateur mistake. Thankfully, Hugo doesn't seem that bright." Jules Crittenden adds, "How to become a tinpot dictator. Step One, vote of gullible, bought-off electorate, inexplicably fails."

But what does this mean for Chávez's regime? Captain Ed says, "The blinders are off, and Venezuelans have decided to push back against the creeping dictatorship. Chavez can't bully them into compliance, and anti-Americanism has reached its limit."

But Hot Air blogger Allahpundit notes, "An encouraging result but does it matter? The EU constitution was rejected in referendums by European voters and that hasn’t killed the EU dream/nightmare. When tyrants want power, they keep pushing until they get it. Although this will, at least, delegitimize whatever Chavez has planned next."

More smart analysis from Caracas-based blogger Daniel Duquenal.

Of course, our left-wing friends aren't convinced that Chávez is dangerous, or even a nutcase. One Huffington Post blogger says, "But Chávez congratulating his adversaries for winning an election? That's not a dictatorship... that's a functioning Democracy." And Power Line points out that the BBC called Chávez's referendum a "reform."

But still, as Gateway Pundit notes, Hugo's lefty Hollywood-type supporters "must be in tears" over this little setback for their favorite dictator.