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 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." Read These Next SCOTUS sounds skeptical about law banning gay conversion therapy. Felix Baumgartner's death attributed to his own error. You might want to take mass transit instead of driving in this city. Robin Williams' daughter: AI clips of him are 'disturbing' Report an error