Video: Rangel warns Chavez not to attack “my president”

Leading Dems Condemn Chavez Over Bush 'Devil' Remarks Amid Further Insults from Venezuelan Prez

Two leading House Democrats condemned Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez yesterday (September 21st) for calling President Bush "the devil" in his speech the day before at the United Nations General Assembly. But their criticism came as Chavez launched another volley against Bush as the Venezuelan leader visited a Harlem church.

In a news conference yesterday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called Chavez, quote, "an everyday thug." The California Democrat, who's a frequent Bush critic, continued, "Hugo Chavez abused the privilege that he had, speaking at the United Nations. He demeaned himself and he demeaned Venezuela." Meanwhile, senior Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New York released a statement in which he expressed his, quote, "extreme displeasure" at Chavez's remarks. He said, "George Bush is the president of the United States and represents the entire country. Any demeaning or public attacks against him are viewed by Republicans, Democrats, and all Americans as an attack on all of us."

But Chavez wasn't letting up yesterday, saying during an appearance at Mount Baptist Olive Church in Harlem that Bush is, quote, "an alcoholic and a sick man." That drew a round of applause from the crowd, which included actor Danny Glover, and he also got laughs and applause when he mockingly compared Bush to John Wayne. During the appearance, Chavez promised to double the amount of discounted heating oil his country sends to needy Americans under a program he began last winter, when he accused Bush of neglecting America's poor.

This is nothing more than an insincere tactic meant to deflect criticism away from Democratic attacks on Bush.