Trailhead: A campaign blog.

What Not to Say About Pakistan

If there's a lesson to be learned from international crises and the campaign trail, it's that candidates should do their homework before speaking.

Mike Huckabee got burned earlier this month when it became clear he didn't know about a new National Intelligence Estimate assessing Iran's nuclear capabilities. This time, commenting on the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, he said the U.S. must consider “what impact does it have on whether or not there’s going to be martial law continuing in Pakistan.” Martial law was lifted two weeks ago.

Bill Richardson also botched the test, and he doesn't have a lack of international experience to blame. Richardson issued a statement calling for President Musharraf to resign. "Until this happens, we should suspend military aid to the Pakistani government," he said. Richardson has sounded increasingly shrill in recent months, from his blanket insistence on "no residual troops" in Iraq to his transparent attempts at peacemaking during the debates. His Pakistan comments just sound desperate. Naturally, Joe Biden pounced, with a spokesperson calling Richardson's statement "so wildly irresponsible that it can't go unchallenged."

Leave it to Mitt Romney to step in as the voice of reason. Responding to reporters' questions about whether he has enough foreign policy experience to be president, he said: “The president is not an expert. The president is a leader who guides America in making the important decisions which must be made to keep us safe.” True words, although it's odd to hear such a salient defense of Huckabee's ignorance come from Romney's mouth. Even if the two men have their differences, at least they can agree that a president doesn't have to know all that much.

The Next President’s Statement on Bhutto

Shortly after Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, nearly all the candidates released statements condemning the murder. Most of their language was strikingly similar, so we mashed up their quotes to provide the ultimate statement from the next American president to the people of Pakistan. The quotes belong to the names that follow them. 

Like her father before her, Benazir Bhutto worked her whole life—and gave her life—to help Pakistan become a democratic, secular and modern Muslim country (Biden). Mrs. Bhutto's concern for her country, and her family, propelled her to risk her life on behalf of the Pakistani people (Clinton).

There are, in Pakistan, brave individuals who seek to lead their country away from extremism and instability and into the light of a better day. America, I believe, must do all we can to support them (McCain). We join with them in mourning her loss, and stand with them in their quest for democracy and against the terrorists who threaten the common security of the world (Obama). 

Her death is a reminder that terrorism anywhere—whether in New York, London, Tel-Aviv or Rawalpndi—is an enemy of freedom (Giuliani). America must show its commitment to stand with all moderate forces across the Islamic world and together face the defining challenge of our generation—the struggle against violent, radical jihadists (Romney).

At this critical time we must do everything in our power to help Pakistan continue the path toward democracy and full elections. Our first priority must be to ensure stability in this critical nuclear state (Dodd). The United States must change its policy direction in the region. It must stop adding fuel to the fire (Kucinich). 

At this critical moment, America must convey both strength and principle (Edwards). President Bush should press Musharraf to step aside, and a broad-based coalition government, consisting of all the democratic parties, should be formed immediately. Until this happens, we should suspend military aid to the Pakistani government (Richardson).

The terrible violence surrounding Pakistan's upcoming election stands in stark contrast to the peaceful transition of power that we embrace in our country through our Constitution (Huckabee).