does anybody hate this guy as much as i do? lose the hat.

I have not read comments stating that the murder of Bhutto seems to be a nearly
obvious Al Qaeda strategical step to embarass Musharaff and avoid a stabilization of his regime by integrating a democratic component, which would
weaken its support between the Pakistani population, without which Musharaff alone is not able to eradicate it..

And of course, another strategical plus-point for it is the reaction of the shortsighed international press and some politicians, clamoring for a weakening of the support of Musharaff by the US.

sal lincoln, don't point any fingers at people when you don't even know who did it. you might think you do, but you only think that you know, you don't know for sure. Besides Al Queda already claimed it was their doing, and it would be logical if they were behind it. The last thing they want is a woman in power in a Muslim nation.

Charles Holzer,

Don't forget Congress funds presidental policy! There are both Dems and Repubs sitting on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee! Congress has a share of whatever blame is being tossed about. Not just that but the majority party is not effective enough to draw any opposition votes to the President's policies. There is enough blame to go around especially to those who did the actual killing and failed to protect Ms Bhutto! We seem to hve plenty politicians and a severe lack of statesmen (McCain would be the closest). Our major problem is a party first, America last mentality! Is it any wonder people are turned off by the political process? Just my thoughts

What? The anti-secular platform of the republicans mirrors that of Al-Qaeda so perfectly that mere mention of it is too dangerous to you? A little touchy CNN. You'll lose credibilty worldwide by hiding this.

I think her death does not help any of the Democrats running for President.

The left, of course, will say it's fear mongering but the sad reality is that the world is a dangerous place and the islamic fascists they want to appease can not be reasoned with.

Our next President will have to be both strong and diplomatic and while the Democrats claim to be diplomatic they most certainly are not strong on national defense.

In the end I think this helps candidates like John McCain or Fred Thompson.

Exploited 9/11? We still dont even know what really happened….Who's still buying into this terrorism crap…Does anyone watch the news? We think since 9/11 happened we should be punishing the rest of the wolrd when really where just catching up with what they've been dealing with for years…We have no right to cry..at all…You people vote these politicans into office and then dont want to turn on the news at night when you get home or vote them out when they step out of line…So they go around playing American the empiral master and pissing off the rest of the world…Looks at a video of a suicide bombing in pakistan which happens daily just like in israel, there hanging out and talking about it…Not running around trying to punish whatever country one of the guys was oringally from or who he hungout with, these people have been dealing with this for years….To even play this up as a nation security issue or some crap about terrorism is a sign of a truly unenlightened public…Does anyone know what goes on daily in Lebanon and Syria or Yemen or Africa for that matter? How can anyone start playing this event up to anything besides what it is…A corrupt dictator that america has been supporting killing his chief political rival…Its not disturbing that this happen, this happens every day…Shes a stat at this point, what about Palestine???????? Whats more terrifying is that the american supported dictator has nuclear weapons and wants to do what Saddam could only dream of Kill his enemys and have NUCLEAR WEAPONS…..People you all have access to the internet or you wouldnt be reading this….LOOK UP INFORMATION!! FIND OUT WHATS GOING ON!!!! DONT JUST TALK TO HEAR YOUR OWN VOICE!!!

I get the destinct feeling that Bill Schneider would welcome a Hillary Clinton lose in Iowa and her not being the Democratisc nominee.

Andy of New York,
Don't be stupid, Islamic extremists have attempted to assassinate Musharraf far more times than they attempted to kill Bhutto. He survived them because he is President, and was leader of the army; so he had lots of security. The Islamic Extremists consider Musharraf a traitor to Islam and have been openly undermining and fighting him & his government. This is why he ordered that raid on the Taliban-run Mosque earlier this year.

This is a reminder that we must have a new president that understands international relations & diplomacy, and who is tough enough to defend the country and the country's interests, whether they be Democrat or Republican. The best candidates in this respect are Rudy Guiliani, John McCain & Joe Biden.

Here's why I think Hilary Clinton wins the upcoming election and why more people should support her. America and indeed the world has not forgotten that Bill Clinton worked very hard to promote understanding among peoples, and actually ended at least one war, leading to peace in the old Yugoslavia. Hilary was part of that team even if indirectly, and can cash in on her husband's many competent associates, if she choses to. There is no doubt in my mind that the Clinton White House understood the world better, and did not need to hit every dissenter hard on the head to get their attention. Didn't someone say that it is better to 'jaw-jaw than war-war'. America's friends and enemies are no fools - and don't all have to walk in locked steps with anybody to appear relevant. Acknowledging the multiple grievances around the world and using alternative ways of conflict management will ensure that we don't all wake up one day and our entire world is on fire. Unedited tough talk simply makes people mad. The United States in the next dispensation should lead the world in RESOLVING conflict. It is a harder task, but the rewards are worth it in the end. That is the America that I idolised.

One thing is for sure - like a Holy Glowing Bookcase on Christmas Eve, the candidates will crassly exploit this tragic event for the advancement of their own campaigns

Once again, Joe Biden is the only candidate that speaks with any intelligence on foreign policy - now concerning how to react following Bhutto's death. How critical is this needed for our next president? Unfortunately, the flawed primary process prevents the "best" candidate from getting traction by driving to the party extremes.

Once Again, Obama right, Clinton wrong!

What baloney, Andy! The attack on America on 9/11 was a superbly orchestrated action. Something that only an organization as sophisticated as Al Qaeda once was, would be able to accomplish, but at the same time may never be able to duplicate. Our response to the attack; i.e. tracking the masterminds down and demanding recompense (War on Terrorism), was the right thing to do and crippled the organization enough to insure they would be unable to repeat a similar offense. That is "why we are still standing." But so is Al Qaeda and so is Osama Bin Laden.

However, your hero Bush, diverted our intentions from tracking down the criminals. His administration played on all our fears at the time, both citizens and politicians. He sent us into an inane and illegal war with Iraq, a war that our great grandchildren will be paying for, both financially and emotionally.

Hopefully no one will exploit Ms Bhutto's death the way that this country has exploited the tragic events of 9/11. This exploitation has led to an increase in anti-american sentiment to a very sad, and terrifying level.
Andy from New York: 9/12/01, this president had 100% of the american public behind him, and waiting on his every word to lead us out of this unbelievable attack and find a way forward. On 9/12/01, this president had 100% of the worlds civilized leaders behind him, and waiting on his every word to lead the world through this unbelievable attack. On 9/12/02, this president had 100% of Americas politicians behind him, and waiting on his every word to lead this country forward. This was potential on the scale of Jesus Christ - and he squandered it with lies, more lies, flag waving, more lies, accusations and more lies. The world is not scared of us because of Bush's policies or stuborness, they hate us because of his arrogance and his lies.
And yes, just in case you are thinking I hate America, love the terrorists, or don"t understand the terror threat - I worked in the World Trade Center. Friends of mine are dead. Alot of them I didn't know their politics, but I can tell you this, they would not want to be exploited for the advancement of any politician, and they certainly would not want to see what the world has turned into in their name.
Just because he made a decision, and stuck with it, does not make it the right decision. It was wrong, and a true leader would stand up and say so, and give us a true way to make it right.

Wow Andy hate much? Do not make war on Islam (btw Islam is an off shoot of Judaism as well). "War on Terror" seems to be gone awry. Bin Laden is still alive, in all of Bush's efforts we seem to not be able to find him in Iraq. Perhaps he is in Pakistan hiding under the bed of the dictator (Bush's Ally) that tramples on the people of Pakistan's freedom. Bhutto gave her life and security for the freedom of her people may America remember this. Freedom shall always be first on our mind. Security is irrelevant without Freedom. We should ally with the people of Pakistan and throw out these dictators who are terrorists and hide terrorists!

Let us remember what Benjamin Franklin said "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."

I for one would stand for a Franklin or a Bhutto then a Bush any day!

If Bush is for Freedom he should clasify of the KKK as a terrorist organization! They meet the criteria of Section 212(a)(3)(B)

Correction: January 20, 2009 cannot come soon enough!

Oh, please, Bush has diminished our standing overseas substantially and increased the number of terrorists (and terrorist governments) who want to target the United States. There was no reason to attack Iraq. None. There is no justification anymore given by the White House for attacking Iraq - they only say that now that we are there we have to "finish the job." Whatever that means.

Had Bush been more of a diplomat and less of a psycho-cowboy, he would have capitalized on the enormous goodwill that people around the world felt for the United States after 9/11. Instead, he squandered it all on an ill-advised foray into a country with a petty dictator that had been totally and thoroughly contained.

We need someone who understands the Islamic mentality - or at least has someone around him/her who understands the Islamic mentality. Someone who can deal with all countries on terms that they understand. This is not to say that there is diplomatic solution to terrorism or Islamic fundamentalism, but calling all Islamic fundamentalist terrorists does not solve the problem.

January 9, 2009 cannot come soon enough!

You are an idiot if you think that the reason we are still standing is because of Bush. Do you honestly think that Clinton, Gore, or McCain would not have protected our borders and allies in the wake of that event? Seriously stop watching Fox News and think for yourself. The world is controlled by money and power and only a select few have it. The news, since Reagan removed the fair time act, over the last 20 years has been designed to placate the masses. Think for yourself.

This event is another example why John McCain is the only candidate suited for the Presidency. Only MCain has the experience, leadership ability and character to deal with this dangerous world-and that need overwhelms all other issues.

Is Clinton really the right person for the job? If memory serves me well, Obama stated that action needed to be taken againt Pakistan. Clinton and others called Obama 'Naive'. I wonder, does he appear to be naive about the dangers in Pakistan now?

Let us take a stroll down memory lane:

Bhutto HERSELF commented on Obama's statement of "bombing Pakistan" a few months ago:

Bhutto's Reaction To Obama's Comment of using Military Force

Q: You may have covered that, what I was going to ask you next, but let me try it anyhow.

We had quite an interesting, and indeed still are, mini-debate here politically between two — initially two of the Democratic aspirants for presidents, and it spread now across party lines. And Barack Obama kicked it off by saying, "If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will." That's a direct quote from a recent speech of his. What is your reaction to that?

BHUTTO: Well, I wouldn't like the United States to violate Pakistan's sovereignty with unauthorized military operations. But the issue that I would like to stress is that Barack Obama also said, if Pakistan won't act. And that's the critical issue, that the government has to act. And the government has to act to protect Pakistan's own serenity and integrity, its own respect, and to understand that if it creates a vacuum, then others aren't going to just twiddle their thumbs while militants freely move across the border.
===

Whose naive? Not Obama. Bhutto stressed the need for government action against terrorism; even aid from America. Acting agaisnt terrorism is the right choice, however there's a right time and a right place.

Obama was right on this; Clinton you were wrong, then and now.

Obama *08

I assume you're not going to post this, but can I just point out that "andy" from new york, new york, is retarded?

Bhutto's unfortunate assassination underscores how crucial it is for the U.S. to have an individual running the country who has decades of experience on a GLOBAL basis. That's Biden, Dodd, and McCain. Clinton has cachet with some leaders because she met them during her husband's presidency, but she still has not worked with them as an elected representative of the U.S., or a specialist in foreign policy. It's time for Edwards, Guiliani, Obama and Huckabee to serve for longer on a =national= basis before running for the presidency.

The current tragedy in Pakistan reflects the total failure of the Bush policy to ignore the Islamic Fundamentalists and pursue a policy in Iraq that could only be described as Osama Bin Laden’s dream come true. Today we see the result of failing not only in Iraq, but also in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In that John McCain is a supporter of that disastrous policy, he deserves blame. What good is foreign policy experience when it teaches you nothing?

Let's be crude and brutally frank: It is obvious to the most discerning mind that what terrorists are seeking to do is topple America - perceived as the bastion of Christianity and protector of Israel - and replace Christianity (an off-shoot of Judaism) with Islam as the world's dominant religion. Osama bin Laden has repeatedly said as much and often! Anyone world leader who allies himself or herself with America, therefore, is a sitting target for terrorists. Those Muslim heads of government and state who are openly allied to America, are actually quietly supporting terrorists' activities in exchange for the terrorists deciding against assassinating those Muslim heads of government and state! It's a quid pro quo! Musharraf is an ally on paper, but it is just a matter of time before his true colors are known. Bhutto was the exact opposite, so she had to go! Whoever gets into the White House in 2008, therefore, has to know how to blend diplomacy and military force to maintain America's status quo! A shaky person like Hillary Clinton cannot be trusted to make a firm decision. Bush, for all his flaws - including being stubborn, has stood up to America's enemies with diplomacy and force, and that's why we are still standing. Otherwise, it was supposed to be over after 9-11!

What in the 'Wide,Wide World of Sports' has Bhutto got to do with the election? Tomorrow we'll to back to talking about John Edwards $400 haircut , is Obama a Muslim, is Huckabee that ignorant, is Rudy that crooked or whatever the Hillary topic of the day is.

Ms. Bhutto's death will most likely help Senator McCain win the White House.

It is terrible what the extremests have done by killing Bhutto…but the GW administration has been giving Pakistan billions of mine & your tax dollars in hopes of buying their loyalty or democracy…you can't buy either we can not change the world with our money, the people have to want change…you can call them terrorists, extremests, assassins, murderers, they still are outlaws and have to want to change some countries have a few & some have many…

The candidates that publicly assailed "secularism" share responsibility for attacks like this, This is a major factor in our politics.

Just this morning, CNN quoted Hillary as saying "…Her death is a tragedy for her country and a terrible reminder of the work that remains to bring peace, stability, and hope to regions of the globe too often paralyzed by fear, hatred and violence."
This is contrary to how many times Hillary and numberous OTHER democrats has said that the republicans in America are using 'fear' of terrorists to justify the war in Iraq.
"regions of the globe", aren't we in America a region of the same globe Hillary now speaks of being TOO often paralzyed (by fear) by terrorists?
Its not the Republicans trying to instill fear in America, its the terrorists and the crimes they commit.
And what about what Hllary said about "work that REMAINS to bring peace, stability, and hope" to these regions?
Work?
Its war.
And how many times has Americans read where Hillary did NOT support this war?
Too many for me to feel comfortable with her being our President.
Now that Bhutto has been assassinated, it makes me wonder if reality has set in on some Americans yet?
Like this stuff REALLY does happen, and there is really a need to end it, and even if it means war, it has to be done.

Bill shneider looks like he's reporting live from siberia.