Posted on 09/21/2006 10:18:07 AM PDT by Blogger
RANGEL: AN ATTACK ON BUSH IS AN ATTACK ON ALL AMERICANS... 'You do not come into my country, my congressional district, and you do not condemn my president. If there is any criticism of President Bush, it should be restricted to Americans, whether they voted for him or not. I just want to make it abundantly clear to Hugo Chavez or any other president, but do not come to the United States and think because we have problems with our president that any foreigner can come to our country and not think that Americans do not feel offended when you offend our Chief of State'...
Drudge = slipping
Is this from ScrappleFace?
A democrat closed ranks with us? Incredible.
More: Pelosi calls Chavez a thug. They must have poll numbers.
Leading Bush critic at home calls Chavez a "thug"
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Sep 21, 12:43 PM (ET)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of President George W. Bush's fiercest political opponents at home took his side on Thursday, calling Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez a "thug" for his remark that Bush is like the devil.
"Hugo Chavez fancies himself a modern day Simon Bolivar but all he is an everyday thug," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said at a news conference, referring to Chavez' comments in a U.N. General Assembly speech on Wednesday.
"Hugo Chavez abused the privilege that he had, speaking at the United Nations," said Pelosi, a frequent Bush critic. "He demeaned himself and he demeaned Venezuela."
Simon Bolivar led the fight for independence against Spanish rule in several South American countries in the early 19th century and is cited by Chavez as a political model.
Chavez, a vociferous critic of Bush and the United States, has allied himself with U.S. opponents Cuba and Iran and has led a resurgence of left-wing populism in Latin America.
"The devil himself is right in the house. And the devil came here yesterday. Right here," Chavez said as he stood at the U.N. podium where Bush spoke the day before.
"It smells of sulfur still today, this table that I am now standing in front of," Chavez said.
His remarks drew applause from many of the delegates.
Bush administration officials have not responded directly to Chavez's remarks.
"I am not going to dignify a comment by the Venezuelan president to the president of the United States. I think it is not becoming for a head of state," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday.
Is this for real?
Its real...he had a presser that lasted less than 2 minutes....took one question to which his reply was that they should express gratitude for the cut-rate heating oil. The above is approx ver-batim of his remarks before the question
Yes. They have to have poll numbers saying this is what the American people want.
Yes.
I guess Charlie decided to make one sensible statement before his retirement, since it looks like he's going to have to resign in January.
Rangel runnning for re-election.
Amazing that Bush's silence has allowed a scumbag liberal to come out and say what all Americans have been thinking over the last 2 days. We are so soft. If Bush would only get off his ass and take the offensive he could go down with greatness.
It seems like Andy Card is back helping the President again.
See post 6.
Wow, I didn't know old Charlie had it in him.
More like Chavez was stealing his thunder.
Where are the republicans? Why have they not issued any sort of statement?
Partisanship is killing this country. Its good for both Bush and the country that the Dems are doing this. The Dems are despicable, don't get me wrong - but when we are attacked, we should all act like Americans. I believe they have their own motives for this stance (polls). But, it's good to see and certainly won't make Hoogo happy.
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