by Frank James
The campaign of Sen. Joseph Biden, a Democratic presidential candidate, issued the following statement in response to the murder of Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistani opposition leader.
Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement today after the assassination of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto:
“This is a terrible day. My heart goes out to Benazir Bhutto’s family, friends and followers.
“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. She was a woman of extraordinary courage who returned to Pakistan in the face of death threats and even after an assassination attempt the day of her return, she did not flinch. It was a privilege to know her these many years and to call her a friend.
“I am convinced Ms. Bhutto would have won free and fair elections next week. The fact that she was by far Pakistan’s most popular leader underscores the fact that there is a vast, moderate majority in Pakistan that must have a clear voice in the system. Her assassination makes it all the more urgent that Pakistan return to a democratic path.
“This fall, I twice urged President Musharraf to provide better security for Ms. Bhutto and other political leaders – I wrote him before her return and after the first assassination attempt in October. The failure to protect Ms. Bhutto raises a lot of hard questions for the government and security services that must be answered.“I know that Benazir’s followers will be tempted to lash out in anger and violence. I urge them to remain calm – and not play into the hands of the forces of destruction. I urge Pakistan’s leaders to open a fully accountable and transparent investigation. We must find out who was behind this and bring those responsible to justice. And the United States should offer any assistance necessary, including investigative teams, to get to the bottom of this horror.
“The way to honor Benazir Bhutto is to uphold the values for which she gave her life: democracy, moderation and social justice. I join with the Pakistani people in mourning the loss of a dear friend.”
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Comments
Maybe this tragedy will bring Biden to the forefront. He's the only candidate who is qualified to handle world affairs. Almost all foreign leaders know and respect Senator Biden, we need him to clean up the Bush mess.
Posted by: Paul | December 27, 2007 1:19 PM
A group of independent Biden supporters have launched a website www.Dough4Joe.com. with the theme "Promises To Keep."
Taking their theme from the title of Senator Joe Biden's New York Times bestseller, this group of the Senator's supporters in his bid for the presidency have taken on-line pledge drives to a higher level.
No starry symbols–no quotes from great Americans–no fireworks or missiles going off greet you as enter this realm of presidential dignity and comportment. The Biden supporters who built this site feel that while other candidates need "window dressing," their candidate does not.
The group hopes to raise $2 million dollars through a network that spans the entire country. Consistent with their "promises" theme, the group calls upon those who visit and pledge to ". . . make 2008 the year we keep our promises. That's a New Year's resolution worth keeping." For that reason, they have chosen January 1, 2008 as their target date for direct contributions to Senator Biden's campaign-in a very telling display of their level of confidence in Joe Bidens ability to win over voters in the State of Iowa.
In this age of "hedge funds" and other groups packing the end of December with all sorts of fundraising stunts, it is refreshing though not at all surprising to observe that Joe Biden's supporters see no need to hedge their bets.
The simple eloquence of the first line of the message conveys this same dignified tone as it greets and informs the visitor, "You have come here seeking a leader; you shall leave here having led."
Email: BSI4BIDEN@GMAIL.COM to get the promotional PDF flyer to circulate to friends / family / contacts via email!!
We need everyone to hear about this project so that we can make a big splash two days before the caucuses!
WWW.DOUGH4JOE.COM
Posted by: Dough 4 Joe | December 27, 2007 1:20 PM
This clearly demonstrates why we need a man like Biden in the White House. This man is a player on the international stage, and he is respected. All due respect to other candidates, but no other Democrat can hold a candle to his position and experience.
Posted by: Alex | December 27, 2007 1:22 PM
NEWSWEEK'S MICHAEL HIRSCH 12-27-07 REINFORCES BIDEN:
"Upon her return to Pakistan last October after eight years in exile, Bhutto had written a letter to Musharraf—and saw to it that it was hand-delivered—warning him that if she were killed he should investigate certain officials in his government. Bhutto and her top security officials had complained repeatedly about the lax security provided by Musharraf's government. In recent days, as she stepped out for political rallies more and more ahead of the scheduled Jan. 8 national elections, her aides had warned that the jammers supplied to them by the government—intended to stop remote-controlled bomb devices—weren't working properly."
Posted by: CLINT, SAN FRANCISCO | December 27, 2007 4:04 PM
Unlike other candidates, Joe Biden's been talking about Pakistan for a while now and is the only one who shows leadership on all the issues, not just foreign policy. I want a Biden Presidency so that I can know our country is in good hands.
Posted by: Lori | December 27, 2007 6:56 PM
I agree that Biden and McCain seem to be the best candidates for the job. I only wish more Americans had the same feeling.
Given the fact that it may be Hillary (and if it is, I vote Republican or stay home- no one I know can stand her), or Obama (an idealist who needs more support from older Americans), we may not get the best choices (which I had hoped would be Biden- the guy just makes sense).
If Biden does not make it (does not look possible now), I will support McCain or possibly Obama.
Posted by: John Jay | December 28, 2007 10:41 AM
The US should not send investigative teams to Pakistan. That is an absurd reaction to a terrible tragedy. Our government is broke - the US government is the largest debtor the world has ever known. We are delusional if we think we need to send people to Pakistan, send billions of dollars to Pakistan, or to many of the government programs that we currently spend money on. Please consider Ron Paul, by that I mean take a few minutes and read and understand his positions. I know we all won't agree, but we should all make an informed decision when we cast our vote.
http://www.bloggernews.net/112699
Posted by: TJF | December 28, 2007 9:39 PM
While the assassination of Benazir Bhutto is a tragic event, it is hypocritical for her party officials to complain about lax security, when it was her very negligent actions that exposed her to both the gun attack and the bomb. No other person inside her vehicle was killed, nor would she have been had she abided by a very simple security principle and stayed within the vehicle.
Posted by: seanmag | January 1, 2008 3:23 AM