Updated: Huckabee Reaction to Bhutto Assassination
(CBS)
ORLANDO, FLA. -- With about 150 supporters crowded around a podium set up on the tarmac of Orlando Executive airport (and about 20 Ron Paul supporters waving signs outside) Mike Huckabee strode out to the strains of “Right Now” by Van Halen and immediately addressed the Bhutto situation, expressing “our sincere concern and apologies for what has happened in Pakistan.”
[**UPDATE: The Huckabee campaign later clarified the last quote, telling CBS News: "Gov. Huckabee while speaking at a campaign event earlier this morning in Florida intended to extend his deepest sympathies to the people of Pakistan when he used the word 'apologies.' He is outraged and saddened by the attack and the loss of a world leader whose life he believes was a profile in courage."]
He said the assassination is a reminder that here in the US, we are lucky to vote “not with bullets but with ballots,” and said “I guess we are sometimes lulled into failing to appreciate the magnitude” of the democratic process.
After moving onto other subjects in his rally (more on that in a moment) he took questions from the press. I asked him what he would do right now if he were President to tackle the situation. He avoided taking a strong policy position, saying he would offer sincere sympathies to the people of Pakistan, and monitor who’s behind it. When asked what he thinks of the Musharraf government and how it has handled the security situation and aid from the US, he replied, “I think today is not the best day to comment on what the Musharraf government should or shouldn’t have done” though “we need a full accounting of that money.” He was also asked if today’s news highlights why the next President needs to have foreign policy, which he lacks. His reponse: “I think it’s more important to have the right principles for the American people.”
He made a bad choice of words when saying the U.S. needs to consider “what impact does it have on whether or not there’s going to be martial law continuing in Pakistan.” He should have said whether or not martial law will be reinstated – it was lifted nearly two weeks ago. A minor slip, maybe, but not a subject he wants to mess up on when he is already considered weak in the area of foreign policy.
[**UPDATE: The Huckabee campaign later clarified this last point, telling CBS News: "Governor Huckabee firmly believes that emergency rule/martial law in Pakistan, as a practical matter, should not be viewed as having been completely lifted until the restrictions imposed during that period on the press and judges are removed. Although General Musharraf let the pendulum swing a little more freely in the last few weeks, the overall policy, which is what the Governor was addressing in his comments, has been, and continues to be, repressive."]
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See all 86 CommentsI wonder what Huckabee is apologizing for? Is he suggesting that the United States is to blame for he assasination? If he is, I''d be curious to see how this stance affects his campaign.
He seems to rely more on scripted, one or two sentence soundbites when dealing with matters such as this- indicating a lack of understanding and gravitas in relation to foreign affairs. One example is his offering ''apologies'' to the people of Pakistan. What exactly does he mean? Does he realize that this statement will be used by our enemies as indication of possible US culpability in this assasination? A very confusing and intemperate comment at such a critical time.
xtrabiggg
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What he should have said is that we stand with the Pakistani people to fight the al Qaeda murderers who did this to Bhutto. Their fight is our fight. Get on it Fred Thompson! The smart candidate will give that message.
Ray Robison is the author of Both In One Trench: Saddam''s Secret Terror Documents
http://www.bothinonetrench.com
I dont think the US is immune from the threat of violence against political leaders. We have had several presidents and presidential contenders assassinated. Reagan was seriously injured in a shooting. Of course in the US whenever a president is killed it is by some lone, lunatic gunman. Never a political or financial operative. Or at least that is the story they tell us.
Ever wonder why so many Americans are for Dr. Ron Paul?
www.aLoveLetterToAmerica.com
Also, by apologizing he is showing that he can play the role of a spokesman for you and me and the whole USA.
And the fact that he didn''t say what he was apologizing for doesn''t matter right now. He will think of something later. Gives him some flexibility.
Is Huckabee shrewd or what?
What a guy!
I love the new approach to campaigning that Fred is using. Send his minions into comment sections and repeat that they are "switching" to Fred. It''s so transparent it''s laughable.
I love the new approach to campaigning that Fred is using. Send his minions into comment sections and repeat that they are "switching" to Fred. It''s so transparent it''s laughable.
I am originally from a country that has an ongoing terrorist war that is now over 30 years old. It is not related to Islamic fundamentalism but employ terror tactics like suicide bombing etc.
Terrorists need the support of the people to survive. If the regime is perceived as corrupt and not focused on the welfare of the people, then the terrorists have secure breeding grounds. They move among people sympathetic to their cause even though their terror tactics can sometimes harm them! In Pakistan it is reported that about 48% of the population support al queda!
Mike Huckabee''s statement of making people see that the terrorists are the real enemy will work.
The people have to be included in the fight against terrorism. A "military force only" mentality will not help. it a fair investment to have 48% of the population support al queda after such an investment?
I have researched the issue of terrorism in my native country and have lived among people who have seen the worst violence perpetrated by the terrorists. I myself have often thanked divine providence to be alive. Military toughness alone has not worked for over 30 years and my country is about a fifth of Pakistan. You have to turn the people against the terrorists and they terror cells that depend on the people for survival will dry up.
"I''''m not much of a huckabee person, but ever think of what you may say if, for example, a friend of yours tells you they had a family member or a friend die. 9 times out of 10 the first words out of your mouth are "Oh, I''''m so sorry". So stop with this apology nonsense."
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If I had a friend who had a family member die I certainly would say something like: "Oh, I am so sorry."
But I sure as heck would not go up to a friend who had a family member die and say, "Oh, I really apologize."
I probably would end up in jail or something.
As far as the death of Benazir Bhutto goes, it is sad to see someone who was pro-United States and quite probably could have won the elections be assassinated. However, as to assigning responsibility, it would be too easy to simply go the ''Al Qaeda'' route as the Bush Administration already seems to be doing. Not to cast any aspersions, but General- er... ''Mr.'' Musharraf has as much or more to gain from seeing Mrs. Bhutto removed from the scene. In addition to removing a strong opponent with a large following, this also presents the perfect opportunity to plead his case to President Bush about the need for a ''strong anti-terrorist'' in power in Pakistan, as well as re-imposition of martial law (under whatever name).
It is also more than convenient that this happens just days after a huge scandal breaks about diversions of multimillions of dollars in US aid to Pakistan. I''m not drawing any conclusions yet, but there are NO coincidences, especially in the world of politics.
xtrabiggg
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Is there a song from Stryper that would be suitable to introduce Huck?
Obama''s camp is blaming Hillary for what happened in Pakistan and by implication the US.
Axelrod, the Obama''s campaign guru later backs off.
The article is over at CNN.
During my time in the Army as an Intelligence Analyst, I served under both Presidents Carter and Reagan (as my commanders in chief). Without argument, President Reagan was the best commander-in-chief a military person could ever have served under. Fred Thompson possesses the same qualities and vision as President Reagan in that he is strong on national defense and sees a dire need to secure our borders and control immigration.
I can think of no better person to lead this country and fix the problems we have. He is the only candidate from either party who has specific and detailed plans on border security and immigration reform; revitalization of America%u2019s armed forces; saving and protecting Social Security; and tax relief and economic growth. These are detailed on his Web site at www.fred08.com . I challenge you to find any other candidate who has laid out specific plans to fix anything.
Please help Fred win in Iowa:
https://www.fred08.com/contribute.aspx?RefererID=c637caaa-315c-4b4c-9967-08d864cd0791
I love that you invoke Ronald Reagan - Ron Paul actually worked with him. Fred?
What record - didn''t Fred have a short term as a Senator? Ron Paul has had 10 congressional terms and is a Doctor. Oh yeah, and a veteran, too. Fred? Fred has been a lobbyist, right? Oh, and a CFR sock-puppet....
No comparison.
Ron Paul has the support, too.
"This is the actual text of the Huckster''''s comments: "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don''''t have maps and uh, I believe that our education like such as in South Africa, and the Iraq, everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., or should help South Africa, it should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future, for our children."
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Come on, Talkin, I don''t like Huckabee, but the above quote is not his. That quote came from some young woman participating in a beauty contest, I think it was Miss TeenAge America.
It was a joke. But don''t worry, the humorless thought police here at CBS have already deleted. I''d like to thank you for preserving it with your quote as well as the CBS NKVD squad for confirming what a waste of time it is to participate in the police state mentality of a mainstream media site.
Apologies???? Did he say that America should apologize to Pakistan because they killed one of their own??? Tell me I misread that. Is this guy the reincarnation of Jimmah Carter - the worst president in US History?
There must be something, anything, more important to focus on through all of this!
This is true. In order to support Ron Paul you must be informed and intelligent. If you were uniformed you certainly wouldn''t be able to understand his platform and would probably think he was a nut case (since that''s what the media would like you to think).
Do you really want to be part of the herd. Do you swallow every pill the media throws your way? Do some of your own research and take back our freedoms. Stand up to the manchine and say, "I won''t do what you tell me!"
Go RON PAUL!!!
It must really eat away at your insides to see him doing so well.
The folks in Arkansas used to call Slick Huck....."tax hike mike".
I say NEXT!
Benazir Bhutto gave up a very comfortable life to go back to Pakistan and stand up to the Islamic thugs who, today, murdered her in cold blood.
I couldn''t possibly care less what some governor of Arkansas who probably couldn''t point to Pakistan on a map has to say about it at this moment and neither should you.
Benazir Bhutto gave her life in defense of freedom for her people.
My heart aches with the great people of Pakistan.
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