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CAMPAIGN 2008

Politics and the Pakistan Effect

On the campaign trail, the candidates use the Bhutto news to bolster their own positions.

 
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  • Posted By: S Benn @ 01/01/2008 9:53:37 PM

    Comment: Fred Thompson made the best and most presidential sounding statements about Ms Brutto's assassination and was interviewed on several TV news shows afterward. Usually he is overlooked by the media. Please take a few minutes to watch this video http://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2007/video-freds-message-to-iowa-voters/ and see thr real Fred Thompson!

  • Posted By: kjb79 @ 12/28/2007 3:53:43 PM

    Comment: Everyone of you is so annoying. Clinton simply said she met the woman several times over the years. She didn't say they were best girlfriends. And as far as Barack Obama bringing peace, I vaguely remember a comment he made a few months ago about how he wanted to INVADE Pakistan. Because all we would need is another war on our hands. The Obama camp is making me sick and showing how ugly our system is. Axelrod today tried to connect Hillary with being responsible for Bhutto's death. That woman had more respect and appreciation for democracy then most of the candidates running in this election. Pakistan didn't only lose a leader, but three children lost a mother. Americans don't see that and that's why Pakistan hates us so.

  • Posted By: hopeforpeopleeverywhere @ 12/28/2007 12:48:17 PM

    Comment: Until he starts publically addressing Guantanamo Bay, human rights abuses, habeas corpus, Presidential signing statements, and other issues, including a strong stance against terrorism, a strategy for Iraq, I will be disappointed in him and his candidancy. So far in Iowa, his commericals talk about how many babies he has delivered, his military service, and that he hasn't ever voted to raise taxes.

  • Posted By: RP Supporter @ 12/28/2007 12:35:11 PM

    Comment: I'm very disappointed you did not take the time to explore Ron Paul's reaction to the developments in Pakistan. His position (as reported on CNN and FOX) is unique in that he addresses the broader implications for a strategic foreign policy going into the future.

  • Posted By: hopeforpeopleeverywhere @ 12/28/2007 12:15:53 PM

    Comment: Former PM Bhutto's assasination is a horrific event, it is a tragedy for her country, and a blow to people who work for democracy everywhere. She was not intimidated by her foes. She was a strong and courageous woman. She needs the democracies of the world to stand up for her and her country. She needs the U.S. to find it's true course again and repudiate the policies and practices of Bush's tenure in office. She needs a full and fair discussion of the problems in her country, her region and her world. The discussion should start in America with American leaders who stood with her in life and stand with her in death. I am sorry you no longer believe that America has a moral compass to lead and guide and understand your disillusionment with the political process. However, we the people of the United States are the good guys, we need to repudiate Bush's actions on our behalf. We the people must use the political process to effect change for the good. We cannot turn away, wring our hands, or abandon our country. We must insure that we elect the strongest, most able leader to remedy the problems inflicted upon this world by the incompetencies of Bush and his administration. Pakistan still needs democratic reform, free and fair elections and their best shot at this is having all the Democratic political candidates in the U.S. put pressure on the Bush administration to act in positve and responisbile ways. Bhutto was willing to stand up and be counted, she was willing to risk death for democracy in her country, she did not abandon her country even in its darkest hour - with respect, we can do no less.

  • Posted By: pelkins4 @ 12/28/2007 11:12:00 AM

    Comment: I'm shocked by the murder of former PM Bhutto. I'm even more horrified at how the presedential candidates are rushing around trying to make it out to their advantage. I'm not sure I'm going to vote this time. So much for a war on terror, whatever the hell that meant. GWB, your reackoning is coming. I no longer believe in this country... we used to be the good guy; no longer, now we're seen as the bully and you are to blame. May Bhutto rest in peace and may you roast in hell!!!!

  • Posted By: hopeforpeopleeverywhere @ 12/28/2007 11:07:53 AM

    Comment: I agree with everything you say and Obama is a fine academic who understands history and is a fine person. However, Richardson has experience as an Ambassador, as a diplomat, and as a peacemaker. He has met face to face with "friends and foes" alike. He has held leaders accountable. He has brought peaceful resolutions to tense regions and gone to troubled areas with success, bringing home Americans held hostage in Iraq, North Korea and the Sudan. He can repair the damage Bush has done to our reputation overseas. He has the international respect and the international relationships to bring people together, to confront terrorists threats, to bring a diplomatic solution to Iraq so that those milatary assests can be re-deployed to Afghanastan and that region. Obama wants to leave troops in Iraq until 2013, Richardson wants to withdraw our troops, use that event as leverage to have an all Muslim peace-keeping force, to have a donors conference to rebuild Iraq. We need to pursue diplomatic solutions to Iraq, not keep troops that will be viewed as invaders - surely Obama understands how we are perceived in Iraq and that leaving troops will always be a roadblock to peace there. Richardson is a person who commands respect and gets results both internationally and domestically. Of course, Bhutto agreed that no one should make a haven for terrorists. She kenw that Musharraf was not living up to his commitments to the U.S. and her country was suffering from that. She was not intimidated by terrorits and we should not be either - we need to work for solutions and need experienced leaders to bring the democratic parties of Pakistan together in a broad-based coalition government. Richardson has the international experience and respect to bring this about.

  • Posted By: Monetfan @ 12/28/2007 10:52:31 AM

    Comment: Personally, I think it is in rather poor taste for any campaign to try and exploit this tragedy for some kind of political gain.

    That said, I know it will be talked about in the media. I don't see how it "helps" anyone other than Joe Biden, as he is the one candidate on either side who has a decades-long career focusing strongly on foreign policy. To a lesser extent, I can also see it boosting John McCain.

    I cannot see how it can plausibly help Hillary Clinton. Yes, as First Lady, she developed a friendship with P.M. Bhutto. All First Ladies have formed relationships with foreign leaders - remember Jackie Kennedy and Charles deGaulle? This is not credible foreign policy "experience." The New York Times had an in-depth story on Wednesday debunking Hillary's claim that she had garnered all of this vast foreign policy experience during her time as First Lady. The Times pointed out that she had no security clearance, did not attend National Security Briefings, and did not receive the daily intelligence reports. Just knowing a foreign leader does not give one an extra advantage over other candidates. Did she have good judgment and foresight and wisdom on the one crucial foreign policy issue of the past several years - the Iraq War? No. It is one's actions that are important. Barack Obama did have the good judgment and wisdom to oppose going to war in Iraq back in 2002, when it was not the popular path to take. To me, that is the true test as to whether someone will make a good president and will be able to deal effectively with foreign policy issues.

  • Posted By: FebM @ 12/28/2007 10:02:47 AM

    Comment: Obama understands the root causes of the current crisis in the middle east. The need to make real peace with the majority of the people who are moderates, by demanding accountability from their leaders and talking to friends and foes alike. Even Bhutto was in agreement with Obama that no one should make a haven for terrorists, friends or foes without consequences

  • Posted By: hopeforpeopleeverywhere @ 12/28/2007 9:37:43 AM

    Comment: Mushararraf must step down. HIs efforts to hang onto power are destabilizing Pakistan. Democracy must come to Pakistan. Bhutoo, the courageous leader that she was understood this. She knew the risks, and put her life on the line for her country. We honor her sacrifice. The U.S. should use its diplomatic leverage to have Musharraf step aside and support the formation of a broadbased coalition government made of all democratic parties immediately. It is in the U.S. interests to support a democratic Pakistan that hunts down terrorists. Gov. Richardson is urging Pres. Bush to take these steps. Richardson is the only candidate who posses the international respect and experience to bring these common sense actions into being. Take a look at what Bill Richardson has done in his many faceted career as an ambassador and diplomat. He is the "go to guy" in our dangerous world.

  • Posted By: hopeforpeopleeverywhere @ 12/28/2007 9:25:18 AM

    Comment: Musharraf needs to step down. The U.S. must suspend aid and encourage fear and fair elections. Bhutto was a brave leader who understood the risks she was taking. She was taking them for her nation and her people, to bring democracy to Pakistan. The U.S. must honor her and take appropriate actions. We need to fight terrorism, but also need the right leader to do so. Bill Richardson is that leader. Richardson is a man the world respects and will deal with. Richardson has the courage of his convictions and the ability to bring people together for a common purpose. Richardson has experience in foreign policy, in face to face dealings with world leaders, whether pro-American or not. Look at what he has done, learn what he is proposing now, and consider him the "go to guy".

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 12/28/2007 5:48:10 AM

    Comment: THE THIRD WAVE IS COMING. We are in big trouble extremist and children of moderates all around the world are being seduced by the chapter of JIHAD. If you look at the Madrassa's they are brainwashing futre genereations in that region with the chapter of JIHAD. IT is like subliminal indoctrination. This is very dangerous. THEY ARE TEACHING THE CHILDREN TO FIGHT JIHAD FOR one hundred years. Obama is the only candidate that can change antiamericanism in that region. It just feels right voting for OBAMA

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 12/28/2007 5:47:24 AM

    Comment: Somilia, USS COLE, First trade center bombing, embassy in Tanzania ect... duffle. The extremist movement against America begam after the first invasion of Iraq. American troop presence the root cause. I am not saying Hillary is not capable, I just think that Barak Obama has the right instincts and skills to tame that region. He is part of a movement that is very determined to succeed. Hillary Clinton will be an asset to the OBAMA presidency. Hillary Clinton is not a figure that will be welcomed in the traditional Muslim world as president, as a member of OBAMA's presidency YES. WHY?because it is a different culture. This is the first time a woman actually has a chance to become president. That is cutting edge even for our culture, imagine how it is perceived in the Muslim world, they are not ready yet. OBAMA just represents unity, it is what this country needs now.
    THE THIRD WAVE IS COMING

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 12/28/2007 3:33:37 AM

    Comment: roncraw, Obama is fresh a ready to start a new era...

  • Posted By: henchman @ 12/28/2007 1:06:20 AM

    Comment: Women take note for you have a right to VOTE here in the USA, today one died not in the USA, so PLZ. VOTE!! for it is a right you should exercise, not take for granted. For someday it could be taken away it has not always been in the USA a women could vote. WOMEN WAKE-UP - TAKE HEED VOTE YOUR VOICE for it can be heard here in the USA......

  • Posted By: henchman @ 12/28/2007 12:55:14 AM

    Comment: Women of the US need take note for it is a right for you to VOTE, SO.... PLZ. do so as someday you may not be able. What we in the US take for Granted here, others DIE for. So WAKE-UP and VOTE!!!

  • Posted By: roncraw @ 12/27/2007 9:50:30 PM

    Comment: Clinton at least sounded presidential and sympathetic ,Obama looked and sounded as if he was reading someone elses words. Clinton at least met Bhutto as first lady and was the fifrst first lady to visit a muslum nation. Obama wouldn't know Bhutto if she walked in the door.

    • Posted By: Johnny1967 @ 12/28/2007 12:47:29

      Comment: Hillarys acquaintance with Bhutto contributes nothing to Hillarys experience. In fact, Hillarys acquantance with Bhutto only highlights her failure as a politician. That is, Hillary is just another politician who had failed people like Bhutto. Moreover, here acquaintanceship with Bhutto make Hillary more guilty than the other politicians. Whereas, other politicians are just ignorant, Hillary knew first hand from Bhutto of the situation in Pakistan.

      In any evnt, lets make it clear that Hillary and Bhutto were not friends. At best, they were political acquaintances.

    • Posted By: CCBoston @ 12/28/2007 11:59:04

      Comment: Now that is a crazy thought. Bhotto's was a Harvard studant as Barak was. Hiliary's meeting Bhutto does not hold up to making intel chocies.

  • Posted By: missourah for ron paul @ 12/27/2007 7:37:49 PM

    Comment: Ron Paul is the only candidate who is talking about core issues facing America: out-of-control spending and the devaluation of the US dollar, propping up foreign puppet governments, personal privacy, etc. Why aren't the other candidates addressing these issues? The federal goverment has been fudging inflation and unemployment numbers for years, and payback time is coming. Ron Paul is the only sane choice for President.

    • Posted By: tknoboy1 @ 12/28/2007 13:05:26

      Comment: Very simple. Ron Paul doesn't fit the propaganda CNN is supposed to uphold for these various puppets running for office. All this terror scare has been created for the purpose of continuing to vote in one of these backers for those who are really in charge. Ron Paul, as much as I'd like to see him get elected, doesn't have a chance and the media knows it.

 
 
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