The decision, frankly, is with Selectors than Electors. But after December 27, the Selectors literally have no choice. Excerpts from an Oriental interview in Newsweek:
"Q. Do you think you are the right person to fight this war against the Jihadis?
Answer: The United States thought Benazir was the right person to fight terrorists. Who is the best person to fight? You need three qualities today if you want to fight the extremists and terrorists. Number one, you must have the Military with you. Well, she was very unpopular with the Military. Very unpopular! Number two, you shouldn't be seen by the entire religious lobby to be alien – a non-religious person. The third element: don't be seen as an extension of the United States. Now I am branded as an extension, but not to the extent she was. Pakistanis know that I can be tough. I can speak out against Hillary Clinton. I can speak out against anyone. These are the elements. You be the judge."
Not many enlightened Pakistanis can dare speak against Monika Salis but we now have at least one mouth to speak against poor Lady Clinton. The Lady who saw no fault with poor Lady Clinton is gone. Remember, courage is tested against William Jefferson Clinton than Lady Clinton.
The ability to speak against anyone can befool anyone than everyone. In democracy, you have to befool simple majority but even two-third majority can't buy you courage. Pretending to be tough is one thing and being tough another. The crucial quality for fighting this war is not in one person but in a body of soldiers. "You must have the Military with you" – intriguingly does not explain the reason to carry the Military along. If the Military is interested in fighting a war against the extremists and terrorists, it would be at war with them just as you are at war. After all war is not a one-man-show like interview with Newsweek. If this war is either inspired by or fought for a single person, he can't be a Pakistani because it was not declared by Pakistan. This Islamic Republic is an ally than the initiator.
What if after Benazir Bhutto you or the US may find another right person to fight this war? What is the difficulty in assembling the three qualities? Nothing can be said with certainty about the Navy and the Air Force but the Military is surely with General Ashfaq Kiani whether he proceeds with or brings this war to a halt. If he orders a seize fire, none can pull a trigger and vice versa. The Military did not go to war by will or choice and it never held a ballot against Benazir Bhutto. What is the measure of popularity other than a ballot? Her father raised the Sind Regiment. The entire religious lobby, except those who call themselves Ahmedis, acclaimed his Constitutional amendment to restrict the Qadianis. How could his daughter, twice the Prime Minister, be considered an alien or branded non-religious?
Once again may we inquire into religious credentials or interest of General Kiani? No, we need not because the Selectors are not in Pakistan and the fact that they reportedly considered Benazir Bhutto as the "right person" shows they are not bothered about the entire religious lobby in Pakistan. Instead the more you confront the beards, the higher you rise. Americans don't want you to hold a religious debate with the mullahs but do your job from helicopter gun-ships.
We don't have the selectors' view on the third quality but the electors should not see you as an extension of the US although you may be so. The less you look the better and for that General Kiani may have to say something about Lady Clinton or may find any sitting duck.
