MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

McCain uses Chavez anti US virulence to target Latino vote

McCain: 'Do you think we should talk to Chavez'

“Did you see with whom Obama wants to talk to” asks a new Spanish language spot from the Republican John McCain campaign, which is followed by a violent speech from Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez against the US, which then accuses Democrat Barack Obama of wanting to meet him “with no conditions”.

The minute long publicity spot blends Obama messages with one of the most virulent Chavez attacks with expressions such as: "Yankess (deleted)..., go to (deleted) a hundred times". "Do you think we should talk to Chavez", asks the McCain television ad. "In November you decide" Obama has repeatedly said he would be meeting with some of the world leaders which most oppose the US with no previous conditions but preparing the ground for such meetings. He added that previous diplomatic encounters would help in the event such encounters can take place. Republicans have pounded insistently on the issue describing the Democrat White House candidate as "inexperienced" for having proposed such a scheme. Two of McCain main Latinamerica advisors, Congress member Lincoln Diaz Balart, born in Cuba and the former diplomat Otto Reich have consistently pointed out that they consider Chavez as "dangerous" and an "enemy" of United States, and have compared his "Socialism XXI century" with fascism. When in the State Department and poking fun of Venezuelan economic policies, Mr. Reich became famous for having stated that Chavez loves to much the poor that "he can't stop making them". The McCain ad has been released mainly in Florida which concentrates a majority of Latinos contrary to Cuban leader Fidel Castro as well as many opponents and critics of Venezuela's Chavez. Florida is considered a crucial swing state for winning next November the presidential dispute. Chavez won't answer US candidates' 'attacks'Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says both U.S. presidential candidates have been making "gratuitous attacks" against him, but he won't rise to the bait. Chavez says he'll wait for Republican John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama to be elected and then "try to understand each other." Chavez said in a speech Friday that "I don't respond to candidates." He expelled the U.S. ambassador last week and has accused Washington of trying to oust him. McCain criticized Chavez in a radio interview broadcast Thursday, saying he is among a group of Latin American autocrats more interested in wielding power than helping their people. Obama has said the U.S. needs to be independent of Middle Eastern and Venezuelan oil.