Chavez Catches Hell For 'Devil' Speech

Democrats Take A Break From Criticizing President Bush To Defend Him

(CBS)  It’s rare to hear Congressional Democrats coming to the rescue of President George W. Bush. But a day after Venezuela's president called Mr. Bush a "devil" in front of the United Nations General Assembly, several prominent Bush critics are siding with the White House.

Rep. Charles Rangel – the Democrat who represents the New York City neighborhood that Hugo Chavez visited Thursday – took a swipe at the Venezuelan President for his behavior at the U.N.

Rangel said he wants to make it clear to the Venezuelan President that his comments on Wednesday were inappropriate and the American people are offended by his criticism of President Bush.

"I just want to make it abundantly clear to Hugo Chavez or any other president - don't 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," Rangel said.

"Any demeaning public attack against him is viewed by Republicans and Democrats, and all Americans, as an attack on all of us," Rangel said.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who spent most of the day criticizing the Bush administration's economic and environmental policies, told reporters that Chavez's performance at the U.N. "demeaned" himself and the his nation.

"He fancies himself as a modern day Simon Bolivar, but all he is an everyday thug," Pelosi said.

Speaking before the General Assembly's annual meeting of world leaders on Wednesday, Chavez called Mr. Bush the "devil" and even said the podium that the President had used still smelled of "sulfur."

Chavez received applause from the audience at the U.N. in New York after his remarks. Mr. Bush was not in the room at the time having already returned to Washington, D.C. after making his own speech to the General Assembly.

This isn't the first time Chaves has taken verbal jabs at President Bush. In a past appearance, Chavez said, "George W. Bush: You are a donkey, Mr. Bush."

But none of his previous comments have been on as large a stage as the United Nations.

Mr. Bush's predecessor, Bill Clinton, added his voice to chorus of Democrats condemning Chavez.

"I think Chavez would be much more effective if he would say something that's true," Mr. Clinton said on CNN. "You know, to me, that would be a much cleverer thing for him to do, where he'd really be doing something good, and he could say, 'I disagree with President Bush,' instead of calling him the devil."

Republicans on Capitol Hill got in on the act, too.

House Majority Leader John Boehner released a statement bashing Chavez.

"Hugo Chavez is little more than a power-hungry autocrat on an anti-American public relations tour -- a showboat whose speech to the United Nations was an embarrassment and an insult to the American people," the Ohio Republican said.

The White House so far has refused to fire back at the Venezuelan leader.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Chavez's comment "is not becoming a head of state."

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton said the remarks "don't warrant a response."

Bolton did add that, while Chavez has the right to express his opinion, it was "too bad the people of Venezuela don't have free speech."

CBS News reporter Charles Wolfson, who covers the State Department, says the Venezuelan's comments are not that big a deal.

Every leader gets his or her fifteen minutes in the spotlight – most use their time for standard policy statements which concern their countries, Wolfson reports. But there are always a few leaders who simply feel, either for nationalistic or individual pride, the urge to use their time to provoke, to use the U.N. podium as their personal platform to see and be seen as an actor on the world stage.

But, CBS News Foreign Affairs Analyst Pamela Falk says Chavez could be setting himself up to be the chief thorn in America's side.

"Venezuela's Hugo Chavez is rapidly becoming the new Fidel Castro, but with petro-dollars, at the U.N.," said Falk, "and as a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council in October, his anti-Bush comments are making him increasingly popular with member states in his campaign for that position."

Chavez's personal criticisms of the American president were not slowed by the American officials' chidings. During his Thursday appearance in Harlem, he called Mr. Bush an "alcoholic and a sick man."

Venezuela's president had just promised to double the amount of discounted heating oil his country is shipping to needy Americans when he fired the latest salvo.

"Venezuela's generosity to the poor, however, should not be interpreted as license to attack President Bush. Those who take issue with Bush Administration policies have no right to attack him personally," said Rangel, adding that it was also "not helpful when President Bush referred to certain nations as an 'axis of evil'."

[freckster]

I wonder if Bush isn't the devil sometimes. I can certainly understand in light of the self-righteousness of this administration that small countries (and large ones) around the globe would consider Geo Bush the devil.

[sniyer1]

I hope that Chavez is happy. I don't want to see him again in the U.S. for what he said about Bush.

I'm really offended by what Chavez said about Bush. He's becoming more and more like Fidel Castro to the U.S.

[abbe7]

"He's becoming more and more like Fidel Castro to the U.S."
Would there be an "Operation Nortwoods" going on, then ???

[lery1]

Come on!!! Give me a break!!, how is that "too bad the people of Venezuela don't have free speech." according on what Bolton says, i wonder if he has ever been here, sorry my english, but as a journalist i feel offended, and also a bit curious, 4cause must of the people around the world are just repeting what "we journalist" say and not try to investigate by themself whats going on in the REAL WORLD. I agree totally with Chavez, i like him as my president, even though i work with the opposition, wich by the way, SUCKS, cause they are trying to copy what the lider of our country is doing by now, so i invite the people in the whole world to travel, to read and to learn other languages in order to understaind more the world we are living now. Just to give u a clue, the lider of the opposition, hasnt finish the primary school. He has the paper cause he and his crew bought it. Thats the way how my country use to go ahead, but not anymore!.

[joehawkinson]

Why all the fuss? Venezuela is a small country and they have a funny president who speaks his mind. I do not always like the words he chooses to use but at least he is not responsible of the deaths of 100,000+ civilian deaths in Iraq and, thousands of US soldiers. Speaking of one's acts not words Chavez looks cleaner than our president.

[stevyz1]

i think chavez was a little crass..but correct alot of us americans feel hijacked by this administration..and they are acting outside the law!!
finally somone had to balls to say what most of us are thinking...try bush cheney for war crimes now...impeach them

bravo mr. chavez !!!
at least he isint lying to his people and starting forigen wars...he at least calls them as he sees them..

[tpeks40]

We could pee out his little 3rd world regime in a matter of seconds. I think the sulfur smell was his breath backing up on him. We can only hope that oil continues to plummet, and eventually we get less dependent on oil producing nations, such as Venezuela, and their new found partner Iran. More than high gas prices, these anti-American nations benefitting from us should be motivation enough to find alternate fuels.

[skilz2bseen]

Not sure what he maybe, but sure ain't a good president. He's helping his oil tycoon buddies with the gas price hikes. And fighting a war in iraq that had nothing to do with 9/11. And cheated his way to two presidential elections. Just my opinion.

[stevyz1]

the real thugs are bush and cheney....liars and thieves of liberty

[stevenstanly]

I think Chavez is a bit of a fool.

[csando43-2009]

To Hugo Chavez, I say this: Stop your demeaning my President by your comments.You have no right to come to my country, to insult my President, by your personal stupidity! Enough I say!

[stevenstanly]

I am glad the Americans and Canadians are over in the East Asia to stop the suicide bombers. I don't want them coming here!

[iloveusa-2009]

I want to say I can't stand Bush either but what Chavez said was inapropriate. They should have shot Chavez and that idiot who runs Iran while they were in our great country.

[jfrissell]

Chavez has made it perfectly clear to the world that he is not fit to be a world leader. On the other hand, Chavez is a perfect example of the child like dictator he represents.

[ihk88]

anybody surprised when so many people applauded chavez speech? I voted Bush twice, he get screwed by his advisors including cheney, rumsfeld etc. He should dump all those guys now before it is too late. Otherwise he will be remembered as worst president in US history. I am sure Bush Sr. is having nightmare as well. Family legacy? It is shame for anybody called as devil. If he couldn't see good and evil from his advisors, he is incompetent not devilish. what a shame!!! why he is trying to protect cheney rumsfeld so long for what? loyalty? They might handed over his presidency but he has feel more reponsibility for this country and world for the good, heck with loyalty.

[tpeks40]

I must add that Mr. Communist El Presidente Chavez is quite the statesman. It sounded like he couldn't even spit out what he was trying to say even in his own Espanole.

[effallah]

Next time Chavez whats to set foot in this country, we should tell him to turn around and crawl back into his hole.

And since when does preventing the losing party from trying to hijack an election constitute "stealing an election"? Get real.

[gwd3rd]

spending energy attacking the inane and totally inappropriate comments by chavez are as wrestling with a pig in the mud. . .both get dirty. . .but the pig likes it - it's his thing!

[tomflint69]

There should be some distinction between the "State President" and the "State Clown".
I am with Mr. Bush, you may agree or disagree with me;
Its not my problem :o) heee heeee heeeeee.

[msbrooke99]

I must say that although Chavez no angel himself, he was right on the money when called Bush a devil. I am only a few years old to the voting world but I have quite an understanding of politics and international policies and happenings. I am so sad to say that there are so many Americans that only know what they hear and fail to research the facts. We could be here all day discussing the immoral and unethical behaviors of our government. All I can say shame on us as Americans to allow this man to be in office! And for a second time!

[mcisek-2009]

I am offended by Hugo Chavez's comments. I think we should boycott CITGO. We don't need your sulfur smelling gasoline.

[evejacks]

In making such disparaging remarks towards our President on U.S. soil Mr.Chavez gives us all a very contrasting view on the freedom we offer in America vs the oppressive exercise of power Mr.Chavez wields in his own country- Imagine this scenario vice versa* I guarantee we would not be seeing a very 'democratic' response from Mr.Chavez -which he claims* to portray-

[strohslite]

Why in the world does our country allow these fascist idiotic morons here in the first place? Get rid of the U.N. and for our sake, keep these pieces of donkey dung the hell out of my country!!

[tomflint69]

mcisek, GOOD COMMENTS!

[evejacks]

Secretary-General Kofi Annan needs to issue a "Call to Action" to address the 'Dictator/Socialism epidemic-

[red1530]

You know when you screwed up when President Bush's critics defend him.

[ravijet]

Yeah, maybe it was extreme but he's got a point. After all, the Pakistani Prez said to CBS that Richard Armitage, then deputy sec of state, threatened to bomb Pakistan into 'the stone age' shortly after 9/11 if we didn't cooperate. Hmmm, threatening to bomb an ally into "the stone age." Sounds like something the devil would say, doesn't it?

[dnharris14-2009]

Finally,an issue that unites both parties. Can this trend continue so that this disfunctional family known as government can do some good for the taxpayers of the country. Oh yeah, P.S. Chavez is scum.

[sparky120118]

Whether you are a Democrat or Republican or support no party affiliation, Americans should be horribly affended by Chaves' actions & comments over the last two days. Any American supporting his beliefs should question there patriotism to this great country (Danny Glover).

[drspotra]

We are lucky our constitution gives individuals like President Chavez the right to be a complete and utter boor....

[rjmcbs]

Must we remind Mr.Rangel that the UN is international territory, not his congressional district, but I admit it is in a country that cherishes free speech. Kruschev came here to say he would "bury us" and look at where he ended up.
Arafat took out a gun!My question for Mr. Rangel is what is he doing for his district to offset the high cost of oil that Washington DC politicians have brought us with their warmongering speeches about Iran and Venezuela.

[tomflint69]

ravijet, you may discuus issues of your fu***d country Pakistan on some another forum.
We are here to say Chavez an idiot; you had better understand us and share with us about Chavez VS Bush. You are not bound to share with us your homeland Pakistan. lol...

[gwagener]

I don't know why tomflint69 has to call Mr. Bush the "state clown" instead of "state president".
Name calling is not productive.
Mr. Clinton is right on this point, state disagreements on policy and leave the name calling to the 3rd graders.

[goodgrief7]

President Chavez (and President Ahmadinejad) might be unpopular with the American press, but they are both more popular in their own countries than Mr. Bush has ever been in his own country. They were both elected president by the voters of their countries, after all. Can we be sure that's true about Mr. Bush?

[srkleine]

I only buy gas from Citgo. Anything to stop Bush. Anti-war is not Anti-America. OK 909'ers, begin flaming...

[miffed3]

This all sounds like kindergarten name calling. It's absolutely amazing to see & hear high ranking individuals stoop to name calling to get a point across. I must say, I am DEEPLY offended that we permit "foreigners" visit our beautiful country, the land of the free & the brave. The land our ancestors have given their lives for. We stand by and allow humiliation via words & terroirism exist. What has happened to American Pride? God help us all ! !

[srkleine]

To Sparky120118 - "their" not "there". If you have poor English skills, please don't post.

[kwlambi]

I believe we call these two idiots from Ven and Iran, non aligned. Although that word is political, there are bits that make some sense. I mean i hear the Iranian idiot and his case for the palestinians, Chavez is just grabbing headlines. The thing called the haoulocost happened years ago, but the palestinian thing remains active today. I am a bit tired of hearing about it, as it tends to be a stickler as was the 6 county thing. I think that W has set the whole middle east issues back 30 years with his agression. I do not believe he is the devil, but he is an idiot trying to convince this country that Iraq has anything to do with the safety of the USA.

[teddebare]

Mr. Chavez's comment may have not been diplomatically correct but it reflects how many nations feel about Bush and our country.

There are many nations who literally hate the President and our country. If you ran a poll in many of the european nations you may get a different adjective and some would be worse than --"Devil"..

[laurieleemoo]

hugo to hell chavez WHERE YOU BELONG----AS---

[tomflint69]

gwagener, I called Chavez as a "state clown". You need to read my complete message.
I am with Mr. Bush and strictly against Chavez Clown.

[miffed3]

Politically incorrect? As an adult, this is incorrect. As an individual in power is incorrect. It's called dis-respect. If you or your country does not like our country or president . . . LEAVE. It's that simple. We do not as people to come here, they come on their own. And with that, American's should demand respect, they are guests in our country. So, again I say, if you don't like my home, don't be my neighbor, don't waste my time coming to visit, don't dirty the air with your filthy words. It's simple. Just go away. Live your lives in your country, take all your people home & we'll be just fine.

[tomflint69]

I disagree that Mr. Bush can ever be called as a state clown. The reason you know the difference between Chavez & Bush. you may agree or disagree.

[gwagener]

tomflint69,
I knew you were referring to Chavez, but I was making the point that you are retaliating against Chavez by using his tactics.
Chavez isn't a clown, Bush isn't a devil.
Calling him a clown makes you no better than him.
Stop responding to hostility with hostility.

[ravijet]

Thanks for your engaging comments Mr. Tom Flint. To keep the issue about Venezuela, all the comments about no freedom of speech in Venezuela are uninformed. There is freedom of speech in that country. Also, I'm not from Pakistan; I'm an American citizen who lives in Alaska. Why do you think I'm foriegn? Because I disagree with you?

[miffed3]

This is terrible. Everyone wants to fight & argue. What happened to happiness & agree to disagree in a nice manner? Why is there such agression against others?

[bevlar-2009]

Put a suit and tie on a pig--stand him omn his hind legs--and VIOLA! You have Chavez!

[insanezane3]

Foreign dignitaries, even indignant-taries, should be allowed to speak their minds at the UN. So what that it's located in NYC. I've been watching our nation moving toward facsism, since Bush was "selected" in 2000. Chavez and Ahmadinejad are expressing what more and more leaders will. Our nation is heading for a battle with the world or, my choice, a revolution, a real one, the one the sixties spoke of.

[miffed3]

Very well put skk1211

[deneice82]

Hugo Chavez got a rounding applause because he made a statement on behalf of the rest of the world. The UN representatives clapped and laughed in approval because he said what the rest of us in other nations feel when we watch the tyranny unfolding from your White House.