2nd Presidential Debate - Obama Blasts Musharraf

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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So the 2nd debate is ending up as I write. The primary focus of the debate was the prevailing economic crisis looming in the shadows. Pakistan was discussed, and a person from the audience asked if Pakistan’s soveriengty is to be respected or not. Obama responded and said that if they have Bin Ladin in sight, he will order an operation to take him out. Mccain responded and his rebuttal stated that Obama wants to invade Pakistan, and the usual ‘you dont say that aloud’ crap. Obama asked for a followup (caused a little grief from Mccain) and then blasted Musharraf, calling him an unpopular military dictator who had crushed people’s civil liberties and was playing a two faced game by negotiating with the Taliban and eating up 10-12 billion dollars of military aid. Obama said that he would support democracy and made it clear that he was not asking for the invasion of Pakistan. He also reiterated that he will grant non-military economic aid to Pakistan.

One thing is clear, Mccain’s ideas about Pakistan are vague, and since hes more interested in engaging Iran, this whole mess on our borders will be hung, and the destabilization will continue for a long time.

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Re: 2nd Presidential Debate - Obama Blasts Musharraf

Obama blasting Mushyman must have made your day :faizy:

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Re: 2nd Presidential Debate - Obama Blasts Musharraf

^ Indeed

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Re: 2nd Presidential Debate - Obama Blasts Musharraf

*gone

y'all missed it*

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Re: 2nd Presidential Debate - Obama Blasts Musharraf

:hehe:

Whats Mccain’s idea of lifting weight?

Standing up!

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Re: 2nd Presidential Debate - Obama Blasts Musharraf

^^ LOL

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If I am not mistaken he already has supported the $15billion non-military aid for Pakistan lasting over 5 years (?).

If McCain comes to power he will simply continue the game of lies, duplicity started by Bush administration.

Obama is clear about the war on terror. Obama may be forced to change to playing the same game once he assumes power (if elected) when CIA debriefs him on how this game is in the benefit of US but hopefully this doesn't happen.

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Re: 2nd Presidential Debate - Obama Blasts Musharraf

I watched the debate, and want to say couple of things.
1. Obama blasted Musharraf because he is not aware of what good Musharraf did to Pakistan (things I have mentioned in many other threads)
2. McCain supported Musharraf but he is not aware of what good Musharraf did to Pakistan.

I don't think both of them really know or care what Musharraf has done for Pakistan. Their goal in this compaign is, to win their own election bid. What good or bad Musharraf did in Pakistan, is irrelevant, except for the war on terror issue. US paid a lot of money to Musharraf for 7 years, and in the end he was unable to deliver obl. Thats all what matters to US. Why Musharraf didn't deliver, is a seperate discussion and has a lot to do with local Pakistani political situation.

Obama plan is not all that bad for the US. Atleast he has a plan. If Pakistan government doesn't take action, when a viable target is identified, US will take action. Nothing wrong with that, as Pakistan hurt their own case, by keep insisting to the international community that northern areas are our territory, but kinda independent. We don't interfere there, our laws are not applied to them, our army is not welcomed there, however it is our part so you can't enter.

Other interesting point to note is, Obama blames Musharraf of doing, what you want to do. i.e. negotiating with tribes.

Obama08 (got to go with the best available option)

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I will respond just like how how Obama respond to one of the questions that McSame repeated. Obama doesnt know what Musharraf did for Pakistan because Musharraf did NOTHING for Pakistan. The man was nothing more than a self centered, military dictator on an ego trip, who is now considered a joke in international politics. I am just glad Musharraf got trashed by the same people who kept him in power, and not the new regime.

[quote]

Other interesting point to note is, Obama blames Musharraf of doing, what you want to do. i.e. negotiating with tribes.

Obama08 (got to go with the best available option)
[/quote]
Firstly, where did I say that, or are you getting revelations, like you did about Jinnah's views on the Indo-Pak concept? Secondly, Musharraf wasn't sincere to anyone, not to his masters, nor the tribals. These talks he engaged in were half hearted attempts to keep the insurgency going so that the Washington continues to support him and keep him in power. How do you expect a raid right after a peace talk, and then Musharraf claiming responsibility, only to be shunend and humiliated by NATA later.

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Re: 2nd Presidential Debate - Obama Blasts Musharraf

Spock-

To Obama or McCain, its irrelevant what Musharraf did or did not do for Pakistan (except of one issue). Please read first, before writing.

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I don't think even Bush knows what Musharraf did/didn't-do for Pakistan :)... their discussion is/was/will-remain focussed on what Musharraf did "for US/war on terror".

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Re: 2nd Presidential Debate - Obama Blasts Musharraf

Robert, nope, it matters. Obama is linking Bush to McSame, as per his tactical strategy. One of the mistakes Bush made was to support the incompetent military dictator Musharraf. McSame tried to defend Musharraf in the previous debate, even referred to Pakistan before him as a failed state. So it does matter. Furthermore, Musharraf will be used as a case study for future support of leaders, as because of him the American image dwindled in Pakistan, as rightly pointed out by Obama yesterday.

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He asked Mr. Whoever-was-Pak-President to support his war in exchange for money.

Old man trying to get back in polls, by highlighting differences with Obama. Pak was certainly not a failed state before Musharraf. But its not about whether its true or not. Its about McSame and techniques he is trying to show american public that he knows more because he knows the history. Remember when BB died, how all american leaders started to iterate how they knew her. Its not that they ever cared about her, its to show american people that they know more about the international politics. Don't take it seriously, unless you have american birth certificate.

No, it was dwindled for the same reason it was dwindled anywhere in the world. 2 words "Iraq War"

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Re: 2nd Presidential Debate - Obama Blasts Musharraf

^ I disagree, the whole nation regarded Musharraf, an unpopular leader as an American puppet. They hated Musharraf, so naturally they wouldn't like the powers backing him either. That is what Obama was trying to say. Whatever you say, Obama blasted Musharraf and merely saying 'Obama doesnt know musharraf' is pointless, Musharraf's kartoots are quite evident and world leaders are well aware of them.

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OK.

Am I not part of that nation?

I said the same about McCain. He doesn't know either, when he praising Musharraf.

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A very small minority perhaps.

Remember, 16 people showed up for a well publicized pro-Musharraf rally a few months ago in Karachi. Scores would show up at anti-Mush rallies, and part of their agenda was also lashing out agains the west.

[quote]

I said the same about McCain. He doesn't know either, when he praising Musharraf.
[/quote]

Mccain might be old, but he was there and backing Bush's support for Mush.

Obama said Musharraf destroyed civil liberties, such as judiciary in his brief 1 minute capped response, and I am sure you admit the people of Pakistan share his views, as evident by Musharraf's approval ratings in the last few years in office.

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The americans aren't liberal enough to vote in a black president. This discussion is all academic, McCain will be president and the neocons will continue their policies of world domination.

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Re: 2nd Presidential Debate - Obama Blasts Musharraf

After yesterday's speech it has become clearer that Obama's a better choice for Pakistan. This is what he said at Musharraf's resignation:

*"I hope all of Pakistan's friends will now seize the opportunity created by Musharraf's exit to focus on the urgent issues of today: confronting the threat of extremist violence, dealing with food and energy shortages, and helping the Pakistani people build a stable, secure, democratic future, *

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Now Zardari government would be forced to take out millitants, replace madrassas with modern schools and bring fata into mainstream. In a way, I agree with you.

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Spock and Robert agree to some point, I feel like celebrating Eid again!