Jimmy Carter praises Chavez for 'improving the lives of millions'

While President Obama called the death of Venezuela strongman Hugo Chavez a chance for a "new chapter" in the Latin American country's history, former President Carter instead praised the strongman's "commitment to improving the lives of millions of his fellow countrymen."

News on Tuesday of Chavez's death after a battle with cancer generally was greeted with a mixture of relief and hope in Washington, where Chavez has long been a persona non grata. But Carter and at least one Democratic congressman instead publically mourned the socialist president.

Carter, offering "condolences" to Chavez's family, said he and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, met him during his first presidential campaign in 1998.

"We came to know a man who expressed a vision to bring profound changes to his country to benefit especially those people who had felt neglected and marginalized," he said. "Although we have not agreed with all of the methods followed by his government, we have never doubted Hugo Chavez's commitment to improving the lives of millions of his fellow countrymen."

That statement drew a swift retort from Republicans.

“It’s simply insulting that a Democrat congressman would praise the authoritarian ruler Hugo Chavez. Chavez systematically cracked down on the basic freedom and liberties of Venezuelans, nationalized private industries and befriended anti-American dictators like Castro, Ahmadinejad, and Assad," Republican National Committee spokesperson Alexandra Franceschi said. "Americans should stand together with the freedom loving people of Venezuela as they hope for a peaceful transition to a democracy, instead of praising the former dictator."  More

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