Robertson's comments represent a conservative sector of the American public that is highly nationalistic and at times bombastic.

The White House is aware of the electoral importance of preachers like Robertson who command millions of dollars and millions of voters.

[To many Latin Americans,] the war smacks of U.S. imperialism and bullying and is extraordinarily unpopular, ... America is seen as an arrogant, run-amok republic that does things without thinking them through.

Morales is an untried political leader. He's certainly someone who can command the street. Now, can he make the transition from an agitator to an executive?

There have always been issues that divide the two countries, ... And we really haven't had a president in many, many decades who has really made the point of saying, 'I want Mexico to be a very close and special ally of the United States.'

Nobody among the crop of fiscally conservative but socially progressive presidents that we now have around the region is going to go to his defense.

Free trade hasn't done anything for these people and Washington just doesn't get it. The White House will call it a success, but without major players like Argentina and Brazil, you don't have a free-trade zone.

He doesn't have any money to offer, so the president doesn't really have any cards to play.