Yesterday, a day after Mexican President Felipe Calderón received him with honors and gave him the keys to Mexico city, Manuel Zelaya made a verbal gaffe that cost him access to the press today as he was leaving. He said that in Mexico, it was “better to feel one was president than to be president. I say this to López Obrador, who is listening” he added.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador, pictured above, is a former mayor of Mexico City. He and his followers claim he is the legitimate President of Mexico after a narrow loss to Felipe Calderón in the 2006 presidential election. Mr. Zelaya could hardly have said something more insulting to Calderón, his host. It was a small wonder the Mexican government implemented damage control in keeping him away from the press that was waiting for him at the airport.

Apparently, this was a response to a question by a reporter about Zelaya’s six presidential bids. Zelaya had placed himself in an uncomfortable position by holding a meeting with the political leaders of the Mexican left, who support Obrador. Very unwise.