It's a decisive moment, ... It's not Chavez's nasty tongue that has earned him Washington's odium. It is his policies. What he stands for is a declining role for the U.S. in Latin America.

Morales is certainly not like Chavez. He is more of an opportunist than Chavez, and I think his credentials are somewhat portable. ... Morales is prepared to play the political game of accommodating himself to what he would call outside realities.

Will the administration be wise enough to pull back from its hostile attitude? What is needed is a sober accounting of what is needed, instead of turning to the CIA.

How are you going to retaliate for keeping people warm for winter? It's a pretty brilliant strategy.

One wounded president goes to visit another wounded president.

There is not a huge reserve of goodwill at the moment. It is so far off from a meaningful relationship.