REP. RANGEL BLASTS CHAVEZ: DON'T ATTACK MY PRESIDENT

Drudge ^ | September 21, 2006 | Drudge Reporting

[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'...

[Zathras]

I've got to check.
What color is the sky on the planet I live on?

[DustyMoment]

Here is the bulk of his comment:

"I want to express my extreme displeasure with statements by the President of Venezuela attacking U.S. President George Bush in such a personal and disparaging way during his remarks at the United Nations General Assembly.

It should be clear to all heads of government that criticism of Bush Administration policies, either domestic or foreign, does not entitle them to attack the President personally.

George Bush is the President of the United States and represents the entire country. Any demeaning public attack against him is viewed by Republicans and Democrats, and all Americans, as an attack on all of us.

I feel that I must speak out now since the Venezuelan government has been instrumental in providing oil at discounted prices to people in low income communities who have suffered increases in rent as heating oil prices have risen sharply. By offering this benefit to people in need, Venezuela has won many friends in poor communities of New York and other states. I am surprised that American oil companies have not stepped up to provide that kind of assistance to the poor."

Perhaps you read it differently, but it reads to me as a defense of the President - both the office and the man currently occupying it.

I will give Rangel credit where credit is due and I appreciate him stepping up to speak out about Chavez's comments. I would also ask where the prominent Republicans are to respond to Chavez?? The silence is deafening.

[Tennessean4Bush]

I think the Republicans should thank the demonRATs for defending the President but also take the time to point out that there is a global media and our enemies have obviously been reading their comments and statements that are not too far off from Chavez's comments btw, and our enemies our obviously taking heart from the Democrat's rhetoric. It proves the point in a dramatic way that words have consequences. If we had shown a united front on war to the world the insurgency would probably be put to bed by now.

[Christian4Bush]

Sorry, this is pure caca (note I did not say macaca). And those Alaskans taking the oil: No problem. Take advantage of it. JUST DO NOT TELL US HOW WONDERFUL PUTO CHAVEZ OR VENEZUELA IS!!

"PUTO CHAVEZ"? ROFLOLOLOL!!!!!!!

[drpix]

Why didn't Rangel say anything yesterday after Chavez's UN speech?

My bet is Rangel was less concerned with Chavez's attacks but where he was repeating these attacks today and the audience's response: Chavez was was speaking in a Church in Rangels congressional district to a crowd of Rangel's constituants and... they were cheering loadly.

Charlie must have feared: What if the rest of America realized that these people cheering Chavez voted him (Rangel) into Congress by majorities of 90+ % for decades because he thinks like them and they think like him...?

[Tennessean4Bush]

Lets give Rangel credit for having balls. No, no balls and no brain. Just a politician's astute ability to read polls.

[drpix]

Why didn't Rangel say anything yesterday after Chavez's UN speech?

My bet is Rangel was less concerned with Chavez's attacks but where he was repeating these attacks today and the audience's response: Chavez was was speaking in a Church in Rangels congressional district to a crowd of Rangel's constituents and... they were cheering loudly.

Charlie must have feared: What if the rest of America realized that these people cheering Chavez voted him (Rangel) into Congress by majorities of 90+ % for decades because he thinks like them and they think like him...?

[OldFriend]

Have you too been using magic mushrooms?

[ZULU]

?????????????????

Rangel didn't have to say anything.

I don't his constituents think one or the other about Chavez and probably couldn't find Venezuela on a map if their lives depended on it. As a matter of fact, most of them probably don;t even know who Chavez is.

Rangel is a veteran and I think he WAS genuinely ticked off by this dirtball in his neighborhood.

[hoosiermama]

Is that you, Rush?

[dawn53]

Bubba and Rangel know that Chavez and President Tom's rages only help Bush.

Reminds me of Carlos Mencia's skit about talking to an Arab who criticizes our country.

Classic line: The black, whites and hispanics fight because we got nothing better to do, we like drama.

But he goes on to say that once you attack us, we unite. Same when a two bit South American despot calls the President the devil. That unites the Americans (except for the kook fringe over at DU.) it doesn't divide them.

[hoosiermama]

IMO If the Republicans defended the president the Democrats would not have uttered a word......It was wise on the Rep's part to keep quiet.

AS far as Chevas goes: Fools is as fools does! What's going to happen when we don't buy his oil any more.....Can you say BOYCOTT!?

[sola_fide]

So, let me get this straight: the dems don't criticize Saint James of Georgia (that's Carter in case you didn't know) for blasting our President on FOREIGN SOIL, but it's not ok for a foreign head of state to criticize the President in the US. Makes sense to me. /sarcasm

[tiki]

Only because they know that true-blue Americans are up in arms about Chavez's words. They realize that this attack will make American's protective of the President because an attack on our country from outside is an attack on us.

[Toespi]

You just wait, Pelosi, Rangel and the crowd will caveat their criticisms of Chavez with something like this, "It is unfortunate that the President has placed this country in the position for us to defend him against the likes of Chavez. Unfortunately, any good will towards the US has been destroyed by Bush lying to the world community about Iraq." Blah, Blah, Blah.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Rangel. for all his faults is a veteran, and no veteran stands around while some foreign dirtball talks like that about an American President, especially right here on American soil.

He's not taking things laying down. He told Chavez in a not so obvious manner "Hey BUB! You're on my turf! Only I and my fellow Democrats can attack this President! Just be happy you're here in my 'hood! Got it? Bub? Enjoy your stay! Love ya man! I do! Really! I DO!"

[OldFriend]

My guess is that the snap polls taken were not good for the dems. Rangel has promised to quit the congress if they don't take over the congress in November. He's worried.

[libs_kma]

"Not going over well at the DU. LMAO"

I bet not! Are you wading in the cesspool? If so, get out, get a shower and then tell us what the lunatic fringe is spewing ;)

[libs_kma]

"Not going over well at the DU. LMAO"

I bet not! Are you wading in the cesspool? If so, get out, get a shower and then tell us what the lunatic fringe is spewing ;)

[ZULU]

As long as oil prices stay reasonable and the Repubs in Congress don't go along with any pro-illegal alien bills, I think we will make it.

If any terrorist attacks occur, or even threats of them do, it will make us look better.

If the Muslims really wanted to help themselves, they would have cooled it all over the world until 2008. That would have helped the Dems, and a Democratic President and a Democratic Congress is an Islamist's dream come true.

A Republican Congress, especially a conservative one, and a conservative Republican President is their worst nightmare.