Regarding Democratic talking points on Chavez, apparently Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin didn’t get the “don’t attack our president” message that Pelosi and Rangel harmonized on earlier today:
“I thought they were incendiary comments, certainly,” Harkin said, adding, “Let me put it this way: I can understand the frustration and the anger of certain people around the world because of George Bush’s policies.”
Harkin, also said immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, every country in the world, including Venezuela, supported the United States.
“Just think – in five years, President Bush has squandered all that, just totally, totally squandered it all,” Harkin said. “I can understand the anger and frustration of a lot of poor people around the world, who see us the richest country in the world putting $350 billion in a war, unnecessary, unprovoked war in Iraq and yet they can’t get clean water.”
Realizing his goof, Harkin released an e-mail statement late this afternoon:
“While I understand the frustrations of many in the international community because of George W. Bush’s policies, I do not believe that gives them the right to come to our country and personally insult and attack the President of the United States.”
It’s our fault and our responsibility to get other countries clean water? Is that what Chavez’s problem with us is?