Damage control. Rangel and Pelosi so far.

[lonehalf]

Both Rangel and Pelosi condemn Chavez.

Pelosi calls him "Thug"

How mant DUers agree?

I was asked to do a late poll last night (9:30 - late for us) and I found that Democrats in Georgia were outraged at Chavez.

How many DUers agree?

Do you think (as I do) that Chavez hurt us with his remarks about President Bush?

[Virginia Dare]

1. Why are Democrats responsible for what Chavez says?

I mean I don't get this. Why does every Democratic politician have to publicly repudiate the comments or be branded anti-American?

Did Chavez align himself with the Democratic party and I missed it, or is this some ridiculous propaganda spin the media has put on it?

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. Because the standard Republican is very bi-polar. They think

everything is polarized. You're with me, or a'gin me. Good vs. Evil. American(Republican) or unpatriotic. Capitalist or Socialist.

[OzarkDem]

34. When is the GOP going to start talking about real issues?

Like the economy, jobs, health care, education, cleaning up the corruption and theft in their own party, getting out of Iraq.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. He didn't hurt my feelings. On the other hand, does Chavez qualify

as a thug? That's the difference. I _know_ is a devil, but what is Chavez?

[Teaser]

3. Why do we need to do damage control for Chavez?

He ain't a democrat. Who cares if he mouths off?

[marmar]

4. I guess I don't see how it hurt "us."

I don't know of any major Dem who has been cheerleading for Hugo Chavez. And I don't know any Dem who has called Bush the devil.

[bemildred]

16. Indeed, I don't see that it has anything to do with "us" at all. nt

[Richardo]

5. He hurt himself more, as I understand it.

He lost some non-aligned votes to support Venezuela to be on the Security Council. Should have reined it in a little.

[RangerSmith]

6. He is a thug....

His end goal is no different than bush's...

bush is pushing his perverted form of democracy on the world and Chavez is pushing his form of socialism.

I said this in one of the other threads, but if you think Chavez's rhetoric would be any different if Gore or Kerry were President you are truly politically delirious.

He is simply anti-democracy and he'll keep trying as hard as he can to rally the poor here to his cause. Can't say that I blame them for joining up, but sheesh... let's call it like it is.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

7. I think they should be condeming Bush instead.

[endarkenment]

8. Truth hurts.

I am in favor of the truth and chavez spoke the truth.

[RebelOne]

9. I'm a Democrat in Georgia and I am not outraged because I agree.

But I do not think he should have made that remark while he was a guest in the U.S.

[bigbrother05]

10. No Comment

thats all they have to say, the press would drop it, if no one responds.
I agree with Chavez personally.

[Totally Committed]

11. I say much the same as everyone else...

Did I miss something? Since when has Chavez been a member of the Democratic Party?

Why is it our responsibility to refute anything he says, or rebuke him for anything he chooses to say? I don't get it.

TC

[TallahasseeGrannie]

12. I think this issue draws the line very, very clearly

and will have a huge effect on the election. Any Democrat who is seen as endorsing the statement is doomed. I spoke to a lot of folks today who will be going to the polls in November. They are waiting for the Dems to step up. Rangel was astute and so was Pelosi.

[Virginia Dare]

15. This is a defining issue for these people?

whether somebody comes out and calls Chavez a thug or not? That's how they're going to base their vote, or did I misunderstand you?

By the way, if that's the case, I guess that's a better reason than I heard during the Presidential race--I knew somebody who voted for Bush because she didn't like Kerry's wife.

[endarkenment]

20. If that is really the case then it is time to emmigrate.

We cannot really be that stupid.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

22. Excuse me?

Who was elected in 2004? Our voting populace are not known to be mental giants. But emmigrating won't help. Stupid people are everywhere.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

21. I didn't say it was right

but it is accurate. Democrats are being assessed right now by moderate voters. If they come across as Chavez toadies it will show on Election night.

[Virginia Dare]

26. That's an interesting theory...

and I guess, in a way, this proves Chavez's genius at public relations. Most of those people never would have given him a second thought.

He's obviously being heard now. I'm extremely interested to hear what he says, now that he has the floor.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

27. agreed

he's good at it. I wonder what his future holds?

[Sam Odom]

25. Correct - There's a big world outside of DU n/t

n/t

[EarthNeedsHope]

13. I'm a Georgia Dem/Green and support him

He's doing it right.

[mourningdove92]

17. Damage control?????

What the hell do you mean by that?

[lonehalf]

29. As I recall not many Democrats said a thing when ...

...bin Laden endorsed Senator Kerry.

Do you think that helped us?

I don't.

And if we don't stand up to Chavez that will hurt us also.

JMHO

By the way, I just received an email that Senator Harkin came out today supporting Chavez.

Also, I wonder what Noam Chomsky thinks about his untimely demise.

[TayTay]

18. Chavez is President of Venezuela

Since when does he speak for Americans?

I don't think his human rights record is very good and I thought his speech was overdone. But what does that have to do with anything?

[FrenchieCat]

19. Why when Chavez talks, Democrats lose support prior to elections...

The whole point is that what Chavez is saying about Bush and America's current Foreign relations attitude is what many Democrats have said in the past.....including some of our elected Democrats (see Rangel....who hates Bush and really would like to see him impeached). The reason for the similarities between Chavez and Dem Rethoric is that it is the truth.

The reason that the Press has focused so much attention on both Chavez and Iran's President and their rethoric is to be able to allow Americans to hear what they are both saying about Bush and in effect about America.....because the media wants Americans to detect the similarities between what Chavez and Iran's President has been saying and what Dems have been saying for some time. They in essence are manipulating Voters to feel that if Chavez and Dems agree, then they are both whatever the press says Chavez is.....which is not good.

In effect Chavez would have been better for Democrats to have kept his mouth shut while here in the US....because now the media is going to furter demonize Chavez and then portray Democrats as Chavez sympathizers...which will equal something close to treason very shortly, once Karl Rove has his way.

And so, the corporate media is giving the option for Democrats to denounce Chavez or be seeing as a Chavez sympathizer....cause in the Corporate Bush Media world....you are either "wid us or you're aginst us".

Democratic candidates will only have a couple of options; Denounce Chavez or don't say anything (but when one is asked, that makes it hard...meaning this is a losing proposition; or attempt to articulate why some of what Chavez is saying is true and some is false (known as suicide.....cause once the media has parsed the words uttered with added headlines, one will be seen as a Chavez sympathizer).

This is a Rovian maneuver reminiscent of a combination of the "Red Scare-McCarthy" tactics of the 1950s and the 2002 Iraq War Resolution forced vote....and as long as the press plays, we will lose!
:(

[Sam Odom]

23. Smart Political move n/t

n/t

[dpbrown]

24. Chavez is an elected President who was right about Bush

I don't see the need for damage control. I think damage control hurts Democrats more.

[Totally Committed]

28. Uh-huh....

TC

[Mistwell]

30. Official Press Release from Rangel

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny15_rangel/CBRStatementChavezUNspeech09212006.html

CONG. RANGEL CONDEMNS CHAVEZ'S ATTACK ON BUSH

WASHINGTON - 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.

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. It was not helpful when President Bush referred to certain nations as an "axis of evil." Neither is it helpful for a head of state to use the sacred halls of the United Nations to insult President Bush.

[CK_John]

31. Chavez is a Castro wannabe without the smarts. He hurt his

country badly. Did he do any good for South America, I don't think go. Did he help the poor in his country? Does he think that his oil will keep him in power. A fool and his money are easily parted.

[ShortnFiery]

32. Heaven forbid that the wealth be shared by more egalitarian methods ...

instead of bloating up a few wealthy elite families LIKE it has always been. :puke:

[OzarkDem]

33. Chavez is not us

He is the president of his own country, not a member of the Democratic Party.

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