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?
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.
Wow, I didn't know old Charlie had it in him.
Where are the republicans? Why have they not issued any sort of statement?
He has been quoting democratic talking points repeatedly for a long time now, and then a couple go and stab him in the back....lol
Geeeez, you mean that he can't trust even his closest political allies in this country?
Where is the outrage from all the other democrats? Their silence speaks volumes.
Rangel AND Pelosi defending Bush against Chavez!!!?????
Talk about cats and dogs sleeping together!!!
The Dems must see an opportunity to score some political points - they aren't speaking out over love of country or affinity for Bush!!!
Not going over well at the DU. LMAO
I bet Chavez felt right at home in Harlem amongst all of those people devestated by years of Socialism.
Well, we can observe Rangel has said much worse about Bush himself.
I agree - Rats have polling problems.
Don't you know that only democrats are allowed to offend our Chief of State. This is total horsesh$t. As I said on another thread, why should Rangel (or Pelosi) act so surprised that a nutcase would come and say something like this when they have been saying it for YEARS! Rangel, Pelosi and the rest of the dims have created the very atmosphere that makes Chavez comfortable giving the kind of speech that he did. Rangel is just trying to save his political @ss!!!!!!!
Rangel must be running for re-election.