Who knew? A critical and measured examination of Hugo Chavez from the Council on Hemispheric Affairs. I thought this part was especially cogent:
Since appearing on the world stage in 1998, Hugo Chávez has become an international figure with his erratic personal behavior, legendary incorrect commentary, and often offensive evaluations of other leaders. Rather than comporting himself as a decorous world leader and sober national representative, he has at times behaved as what some have described as “a petulant child.” After calling former President Bush “the devil” at the UN General Meeting in 2006, leaders across the globe have cited the incidence as evidence of his “clownish” behavior and lacking political gravitas.
Chávez’s raffish style is further exemplified by his behavior at an Ibero-American Conference in 2007 in which he repeatedly interrupted the Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, causing a rare outburst from the Spanish King Juan Carlos I, who told Chávez “que te calles.” Of course, to many, Chávez scored a winning response when he addressed the Spanish monarch as “Mr. King”, reminding him that he did not achieve office via election. Chávez admirers would further argue that Chávez’s derelictions are mainly a matter of style, that the Venezuelan leader is a preeminent democrat, and that his multiple shortcomings are trivial in nature.
If his admirers wish to make that argument, then they are being foolish and in my opinion, beholden to the cult of his personality. What they should applaud is a leader who stays on message and spends his time calling attention to the issues he wants to address and the problems he wants to solve rather than giving red meat to his critics.
Some, however, have uncontrollable egos, untempered by the slightest sense of humility. A little humility is an excellent trait for leaders to have.
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