World / financial crisis Chavez: 'Hola, Comrade Bush' Irony of White House plans to buy stakes in banks isn't lost on Venezuelan prez By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff Posted Oct 16, 2008 6:06 AM CDT Copied Hugo Chavez gestures during a press conference at the end of a meeting with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Manaus, northern Brazil, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) A smirking Hugo Chavez noted the US bank bailout yesterday and duly welcomed George W. Bush to the club of socialist leaders, reports Reuters. Hailing "Comrade Bush" was high praise from the man who has variously referred to his American counterpart as the devil and a drunk, but Chavez didn't let the lovefest get out of control. "I am convinced he has got no idea what's going on," said Chavez, who has often borne heavy Washington criticism over his nationalization policies. "Bush is to the left of me now." (More financial crisis stories.) Report an error