Fred Thompson on the Bhutto Assassination

Pretty much sums it up.

HARRIS FAULKNER: Senator, your reaction, first, to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

FRED THOMPSON: It is a tragedy, of course. It reminds us that things can happen in faraway places of the world that can affect the United States. I think this should be of great concern to us. It is almost a perfect storm in a very bad sense because two forces are operating against each other that are both desirable. One is democracy: they were making progress in that regard in that country. Former prime minister Bhutto was an important part of that process. But the other is stability. Pakistan is a nuclear country, and we cannot afford to let nukes fall into the hands of dangerous Muslim radicals. We are hoping those two things can be balanced out. We can see the continued progress toward a democratic society but also maintain stability in the country, which seems to be very much in doubt right now.

FAULKNER: I know you are running for the White House, so I don’t want to put you in a position to second guess the president. But I’m interested in your opinion. President Bush is due to talk with Pervez Musharraf shortly. What do you anticipate that conversation should be like?

THOMPSON: Those two things that I mention probably would be high on the agenda. What could be done to not impose martial law, to not crack down, but be mindful of the fact that there are radical elements in that country, and perhaps even within the government, that would like to see instability and chaos and see those weapons fall into the wrong hands. This is part of a bigger problem. We need to understand that this is not a criminal investigation any more - so we find the bad guys and bring them to justice - it’s a war.

Presidential.

UPDATE: Compare and contrast.

Huckabee Reaction to Bhutto Assassination

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.”

Apologies???

Who is this talking?

Michael "America is a terrorist state!" Moore?

Jimmy "Blame America!" Carter?

Granted, the source is a CBSNews.com blog, and the quote is likely less than complete, possibly lacking additional context that might serve to clarify what Huckleberry meant to say there, but if he's saying what it seems like he's saying...

Screw you, pal!

And don't forget to write once you've got yourself settled in at your new place in the broom closet of political irrelevance.

UPDATE II: Ace thinks Huckabee meant to offer condolences, but the wrong word came out. Possible.

UPDATE III: From Townhall.com.

UPDATE: From Team Huckabee:

"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."

OK, I'll give Huckaloogie here the benefit of the doubt.

But, still not my vote.