The Chavez factor?

Posted at 3:27 PM on September 21, 2006 by Bob Collins

Appearing on CNN this afternoon -- along with Democratic strategist Donna Brazille -- William Bennett suggested that Hugo Chavez' declaration yesterday that George Bush is "the devil," could boost Republican fortunes.

And a couple of Democrats today seemed intent on not letting that happen.

Both Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and Nancy Pelosi (R D-CA.) went on the offensive in criticizing Chavez' appearance before the United Nations. "You don't come into my country, and you don't come into my district and criticize my president," Rangel said.

They may be too late to the fire.

Chavez went to Harlem this afternoon (which happens to be Rangel's district, I believe) and piled it on, according to the AP.

A day after he called Bush "the devil" in a speech to the U.N.General Assembly, Chavez said of the president: "He's an alcoholic and a sick man."

Chavez received a round of applause from the crowd at Mount Baptist Olive Church, which included activists and other supporters as well as actor Danny Glover.

Expect to see plenty strategizing to capitalize on this in the next few days.

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