Leadership, finally

It seems the Bushies may have caught on to what Chavez has been building in the Western Hemisphere for a number of years. W took his recent trip through Latin America. And though I suppose it is better for him to go than not (Andy Rooney, what do you think?), being a casual observer of the headlines, I can't escape the sense of W as a kind of late tag along, showing up on the playground only once Chavez' ballgame is well underway.

Does anybody think W knows what Chavez has underway in Bolivia and Ecuador? How about in the Eastern Caribbean? Argentina? I would bet that Cuba gets more airtime in the White House discussions of Chavez than all the rest of the region combined. (At least we're not ignoring Cuba, though, as those concerned with the war on terror might have feared.)

Now, don't get me wrong. W's trip was all about leadership - showing the Brazilians a thing or two about the alternative energy industry - and persuading the region that we care - confirming to the Mexicans that the US is really quite keen for more traders to cross the border (this one is a "strong view").

I'd say Chavez is squarely in check now. A good expenditure of US taxpayer dollars. Thanks W.