Diary: Chavez Picking a Fight with Obama?

For the second time Latin socialist Hugo Chavez seems to be inventing a fight with Obama;

President Hugo Chavez on Saturday accused Barack Obama of meddling in a referendum that could allow him to run for re-election indefinitely and ordered a crackdown on disorderly student protests against the upcoming vote.

In a speech to supporters, Chavez accused the U.S. president-elect of supporting the Venezuelan opposition and wanting to see him removed from office.

"He's said I'm an obstacle for progress in Latin America," Chavez said. "Therefore it must be removed, this obstacle, right?"

It was unclear what comments Chavez could be referring to. On Thursday, the top American official in Venezuela, Charge d'Affaires John Caulfield, said the U.S. would seek increased cooperation and "renewed dialogue" with the Chavez government under an Obama administration. Obama takes office Tuesday.

This is a blatant attempt to steal the spotlight just as Barack starts the process leading to his assumption of the office of the Presidency of the United States of America. With the turmoil worldwide due to the Gaza operation, this feels like an attempt to test the metal of the new President. Watch for statements from blushing new Obama spokespoeple in the days ahead for how they'll react to this. My guess is neutrality while the economy is sucking so bad, so that President Obama has more elbow room in the monumental policy fights ahead.