Robertson: Let's Assasinate Hugo Chávez

Televangelist Pat “God Told Me Bush Will Win” Robertson called for the assassination of democratically elected (funny how often that fact needs to be reminded of) Venezuelan President Chávez by U.S. “covert operatives” yesterday. Robertson’s television show, The 700 Club, has an audience of millions, is available in more than 95 percent of U.S. homes (according to the show’s website), and has enjoyed visits from such national political figures as Tom Delay, Bill Frist, Al Gore, Joe Lieberman, Ronald Reagan, and more. In other words, the Washington establishment, especially the ruling sector of the Republican party, takes him seriously.  

From the transcription at Media Matters (a clip is also available at that link):

“You know, I don't know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it. It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war. And I don't think any oil shipments will stop... We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability. We don't need another $200 billion war to get rid of one, you know, strong-arm dictator. It's a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with.”

This is pretty much in line with Robertson’s contempt for democracy and, interestingly, the State Department, which he often derides while praising the CIA.

So, Pat, who else would Jesus assassinate?