Edwards one of few U.S. politicians to speak with Musharraf after assassination of Bhutto

[dajoki]

Edwards Says Clinton, Obama Won't Change `System' in Washington
By Julianna Goldman
Dec. 28 (Bloomberg)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601073&sid=aDxLhWewwKM8&refer=election

<<snip>>

Edwards, 54, was one of the few U.S. politicians who spoke with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf after yesterday's assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. In the TV interview, Edwards said he urged Musharraf to appoint outside advisers to make sure Pakistan's military and intelligence service weren't complicit in Bhutto's murder.

``I tried to impress upon him the importance of bringing in outside, independent, international investigators to determine how this happened, what the real facts are,'' Edwards said. Musharraf said he ``hadn't yet thought about it, but that he would,'' according to Edwards.

Pakistani Elections

Edwards also questioned whether Pakistan's planned Jan. 8 parliamentary elections would be credible if the U.S. fails to pressure Musharraf to ensure ``open and free'' balloting ``monitored by international observers.'' If that isn't possible by Jan. 8, Edwards raised the idea of putting off the elections until the ``not-too-distant future.''

The elections were set as part of a U.S.-backed effort to restore democratic rule and fend off a terrorist threat in the nuclear-armed nation. Analysts said the attack on Bhutto may threaten the strategy.>>>>

[DemKR]

1. cool

[durrrty libby]

3. Honestly, who does he think he is? He's not even an elected official

Just some pathetic reckless grand standing :thumbsdown:

[dajoki]

4. Or sincere concern n/t

[Jim Sagle]

5. He showed up yer candidate as an empty pantsuit once again. Sorry 'bout that!

:beer:

[cali]

11. Actually, Clinton has made sense on this

by dismissing any investigation by Musharraf into Bhutto's murder and calling for an internationally led investigation. And she said the U.S. also lacked the credibility to take the lead in any investigation. Good for Edwards for speaking to Musharraf, but he hardly showed up Clinton.

[Inspired]

14. Oh my.

Who does he think he is? Well....obviously someone thought he was worthy of the phone call.

[1corona4u]

2. Uh, YEAH, because he injected HIMSELF

into it, by asking an ambassador to have Musharraf call him back, in an apparent attempt to make himself look more IMPORTANT, and somehow involved!!! This is just so ridiculous.

[dajoki]

7. The man is running for President...

of the USA. Don't you think he should get involved and learn as much as he can, just in case he wins?

[1corona4u]

13. No, I don't.

he's a citizen at this moment, he's not in the senate. I don't care if he knew Musharraf, from meeting him 1 time years ago, or not. It was self-serving, and nothing more. I'm not the only ont that thinks that either.

[Inspired]

15. Well....he did get the phone call.

Who cares what you think about it.

[1corona4u]

18. Like I said....

there are a lot of people who don't think it was a good idea. and, I'm talking about people from all walks of life. Read the comments on this page if you think I am the only one;

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/27/535768.aspx

Or the comments on this page;

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/27/edwards-speaks-to-musharraf-urges-investigation/

Or these comments;

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1207/Edwards_talks_to_Musharraf.html



The internet is full of pages with people who think he did the wrong thing. If you think what he did is ok, then so be it. But the rest of us see it for what it was. Self-serving.

[dajoki]

23. Who is the "rest of us"?

Is that everybody in the country or 100% of DUers? I don't think so.

[durrrty libby]

22. It looked like a cheap parlor trick.

[Inspired]

26. To a few maybe but it looked like leadership to me. n/t

[durrrty libby]

30. Leadership..how? What did he accomplish?

[butterfly77]

38. He trying to make it look like...

he will hit the ground running..

[dajoki]

20. See, this is why...

I like keeping most of my posts anti-Repub or news. This bashing of the Dem candidates doesn't sit well with me. I will vote for whoever wins the Dem primary.

Now, the call was returned to Edwards, so there must be some substance to the conversation, I don't see how it was self-serving. And so what if you're not the only one who thinks that way, that comment sounds childish.

[1corona4u]

24. Unbelieveable....you don't see it...

I can't believe people buy his shit, day after day, after day, after day...

[dajoki]

25. I'm not buying anything...

You seem to be completely blind to the fact that bashing our own candidates WILL come back to hurt us.

[lisainmilo]

31. Edwards shows more leadership than our current administration

Nice leadership JRE! Willing to reach out in a time of great turmoil.

Jean-Paul Sartre - “I distrust the incommunicable; it is the source of all violence.”

[The River]

32. Edwards Is Not Just Another Citizen

He is, by virtue of his candidacy, a public figure.
MLKJ was not an elected official,
but he was a public figure. Was he presumptuous
and "self serving" to to work for a cause,
lobby for change and interact with world leaders?
Ghandi wasn't an elected official, just another public figure.
Was he wrong to interject himself into English Politics?
Etc.
Etc.

We get it, an Edwards hater.
If you don't caucus in Iowa next week
or vote in NH, you're just wasting bandwidth.

[Andy823]

28. Well Musharraf

Must have thought he was "important" enough since he called him back!

Or maybe Musharraf calls "anybody" who calls him and leaves a message to call back? :shrug:

[butterfly77]

37. Thank you!

You took the words right out of my mouth...He doesn't know a damn thing about foreign policy.

[jillan]

6. Biden spoke with Bhutto the nite before she was assassinated. So what?

What is this some kind of juvenile contest?

[1corona4u]

8. I'm going to start calling John...

Mini-Joe...

[durrrty libby]

12. lol..Yep, that's about how dumb he made himself look

[Inspired]

17. Actually....it got some good press. n/t

[1corona4u]

19. Which is why he did it.

[Inspired]

27. Sorry you feel that way. I think this is what leaders do.

They take the reigns and make the first step. The price you pay is to have people question your motives. So be it.

With that said...you support a great guy. I'm caucusing for Edwards but I have nothing but respect for Biden.

[Cronus Protagonist]

29. And ? He got good press out of it? Boohoooos and bah humbugs from you

It seems to me he raised his profile, improved his chances of winning and also generated some gravitas for himself. Signs of a good politician and a man who can win the primary. However, you seem petty and jealous over this issue, even although you're not the only one to appear petty and jealous or to cry in your pudding.

Edwards has balls to do this, and he is reaping the rewards even as you and others like you with obvious partisan issues try to deflate this cosmic political move by John Edwards.

John just keeps looking and getting better and better as the candidate to watch. No one can deny he has the cojones to win now.

[Glimmer of Hope]

16. Lol! I like Big Joe and Mini Joe.

[Jim Sagle]

34. Or as I see it, Big John and Little John.

;)

[dajoki]

40. That's the way I see it also

:hi:

[dajoki]

9. Hardly n/t

[Catchawave]

10. Chip Reid at CBS broke this news yesterday

Good for Team Edwards! And thank you Chip.

[surfermaw]

39. Way to stand out from the crowd John..

[tammywammy]

21. Good for him

[Nutmegger]

33. There's nothing pleasing the haters.

But that's why they're haters.

Good on Edwards.

Edwards 2008!!!

[dajoki]

36. Exactly...

No matter what any other candidate other than their own does, they will find a way to turn it into the worst move in political history. After long thought I have decided to back Edwards, but I will not bash any of our other candidates, it is foolish. And I will enthusiastically support whoever wins the Dem primary.

[PakistaniDUer]

35. I took issue with him saying Pakistan shouldn't have democracy and asked Elizbaeth twice about that

Unfortunately he showed extreme naivete on Pakistan claiming that if we push for elections extremists will win. They have about 5% of parliament, 10 if the can push it. That was ridiculous imperial mentality on his part.