Connie Mack Focuses on International Affairs at CPAC

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday and focused on foreign policy. Mack, who is a potential challenger to Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, hammered the Obama administration and its approach to international affairs. The chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Mack took aim at Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, a frequent target of the congressman.

Its time we stopped apologizing for America, said Mack. Its time that, in this hemisphere and around the world, we stand up for America and the freedom and human dignity America stands for; stand against Americas enemies, and stand with Americas friends.

Mack reinforced Chavezs ties to Iran in his remarks -- and hinted that the U.S. needs to declare Venezuela a state sponsor of terrorism.

Chavez wants to work as one with Ahmadinejad, said Mack. We ought to treat him the way we treat Ahmadinejad. No more happy handshakes at world conferences. No ignoring the menace of what Chavez has called the Iranian-Venezuelan Axis of Unity.

Added Mack, Years ago, Chavez launched a silent war on America and all that America stands for:the world of freedom; the world of democracy;the world of enterprise; the world of law. He is against that world --we are for it. We must act to preserve, protect, and defend it.

Lets be clear about who Hugo Chavez is, noted Mack. He believes in intimidation and manipulation. He rules with an iron fist. As I said, he is a thugocrat.

Sign up for news alerts from Sunshine State News