Commentary

In my last edition, I wrote about those who do a lot of talking versus the doers who are action oriented. 

I am always mystified by “talkers,” aka bloviators, in the public sphere who   seem to be oblivious to the digital world in which they operate.  They make outrageous statements that are frequently contrary to earlier recorded remarks.

I was amused when CNN’s Dana Bash caught Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy in such a contradiction.  It was especially humorous to me because Murphy is what is known as a “go to” spokesman for the left, someone who welcomes the spotlight.

She let him bloviate in opposition to the Trump-directed capture of Nicholas Maduro, during which he declared, “The invasion of Venezuela has nothing to do with American security.  Venezuela is not a security threat to the U.S.  This is about making Trump’s oil industry and Wall Street friends rich.”

But the boastful bloviator was tripped up when Bash confronted him with previous comments made in an op-ed, calling for Maduro’s ousting.  “In 2019,” she said, “you called for Maduro to be gone,” saying, “let’s get one thing straight: there should no longer be any debate about Maduro’s lack of democratic legitimacy.  The Trump administration is right to put restoring Venezuelan democracy at the center of our approach to this crisis.”

In an obvious attempt to save face, Murphy attempted to dismiss Bash’s point by criticizing Trump’s move toward regime change as way of justifying his disapproval of military intervention in the raid.

It isn’t the first time a political figure has put his or her hypocrisy on display.

SEN. BIDEN:  Then – “We should go one step further.  Let’s go after the drug lords where they live.” – CSPAN, 1989

CANDIDATE BIDEN:  Then – “Trump speaks “tough” regarding Venezuela, yet he holds admiration for “thugs and dictators like Nicolas Maduro. As President, I will stand with the Venezuelan people and for democracy.” – AXIOS, 2020

Then there’s Sen. Schumer, who Just six years after criticizing President Trump’s failure to deliver on his promise to “bring democracy to Venezuela,” is now  lambasting the president for his “reckless” capture of  Maduro over the weekend.

Sen. Schumer: “The president brags about his Venezuela policy? Give us a break. He hasn’t brought an end to the Maduro regime.  The Maduro regime is more powerful today and more entrenched today than it was when the president began his anti-Maduro.” – February 5, 2020

Sen. Schumer: “Let me be clear: Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate dictator, but launching military action without congressional authorization and without a credible plan for what comes next is reckless.” – January 6, 2026

While mixed, most Democrats are opposed to Trump’s raid to end the Maduro regime.

Maryland’s Democrat Sen. Chris Van Hollen, confronted on a report citing anonymous Democratic lawmakers who took issue with the party’s lack of nuance with regard to Trump’s strike against Venezuela and the capturing of Maduro.

“Maduro is bad, glad he is gone. You can’t have it both ways,” the lawmaker told Axios, complaining the Democratic base holds the belief that everything Trump touches is bad. A colleague said, “I wish the Democratic Party would be a little bit more measured on this.”

Still another Democrat, claiming to be a centrist, said the party’s general response to the strike and Maduro capture made them look “weak.”

The new Democratic Socialist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, felt the need to firmly condemn the act as “an overly aggressive act of war.”

Proving that Senator Kelly is continuing his “war” with the Trump administration, wrote, “dropping bombs and toppling a leader doesn’t guarantee democracy, stability, or make Americans safer. More often, it leads to chaos or drags the U.S. into a war and lengthy occupation. I don’t trust that this administration has a plan, timeline, or price tag for what comes next.”

American Opinion

I wonder if those who overwhelming responded in opposition to military action in Venezuela, reflected in a December Quinnipiac poll, now feel differently in view of the mission’s success.

             May God continue to bless the United States of America.