Question is spot on. Clinton’s statement looks very much like a comment you would find in a management performance review, from a peer of the reviewee. That’s a status Chavez most certainly does not deserve: peer of a President, or any leader of a free nation.

Why didn’t Clinton distance himself from Chavez? The rest of the Democratic leadership apparently has — even Nancy Pelosi and Charlie Rangel dished it out to Chavez in the press.

Thought just occurred to me … Another ex-President has done quite the same thing. Mr. Carter has cozied up to dictators (PC: heads of non-aligned nations) in word and deed in the past, thus affording them something like peer status in the world leader ranks. Mr. Carter is getting on in years. Is Clinton his heir apparent? OMG, please spare us.