We're Back

Posted: Thursday, December 27, 2007 1:49 PM by Countdown

Keith will be in for a special Countdown tonight at 8p ET. We'll be all over the developements in Pakistan, Washington and beyond in the wake of the Benazir Bhutto assassination. Please join us.

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I awoke to this heart breaking news at 5:00am this morning; it is truly a very sad day!!

May Benazir Bhutto, this wonderful woman, rest in peace!! She was truly an amazing women; brave, dignified with such a great love for her country and the people of Pakistan!!

Horrifyingly, both Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney are working this tragedy into their campaign speeches today; just how low can these evil men stoop??

God Bless her!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 1:59 PM)

new thread after eight days and you post one comment? come on? and let's get back to news, NO more oddball -it's really getting old.

Bring the "Real" Countdown Back (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 2:18 PM)

Pervez Musharraf says it was terrorists, which is becoming a tried and true technique. How fortunate they attacked the opposition leader, instead of him.

PR, Grand Junction, CO (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 2:27 PM)

Benazir Bhutto, a brave woman. Other attempts on her life and she carried on. Her father, brother and I believe a sister all dead. She carried on after her father. Went into exile after she was accused of corruption. Came out of exile to stand by her people. The terrorist element in Pakistan since 9/11 are partly responsible for this tragedy. She was beloved by the people and would, in all likelihood, done very well, if not won, the election. She leaves 2 small children. RIP she will be missed by her people.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 2:28 PM)

It'll be great to see Keith back on Countdown tonight, but I wish it were under better circumstances. I am woefully ignorant on the complexities that are Pakistan, but in just the reading that I've done today, it seems that a lot of hope for some stability in that part of the world died with her.

The "good" Gov. Romney said today, and I paraphrasing here, that her death is just a reminder that Iraq isn't the only place of terror in the world, we have to keep our guard up, and be ready all over the world. Hmm...where are those forces going to come from? And, isn't the "good" governor basically tooting the policies of the President who thinks that Iraq is the end-all be-all of terrorrism? Where is all this money going? Where has all the money gone? Where have the vast vast majority of our brave soldiers gone? Who DIDN'T/DOESN'T have nukes or WMDs? And, who does??!! The whole thing kind of makes me want to wretch, ya' know? It would seem that Mr. Mushariff got what he wanted - another golden opportunity for a "state of emergency."

I hope the people of Pakistan find peace soon and that whoever is responsible for this crime is brought to justice

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 2:40 PM)

The world has truly lost a great leader in Benazir Bhutto. We will all feel the loss of her strength of will, her love of freedom, and her indomitable spirit, so much like Eleanor of Aquitaine. May she rest in peace, and may we all remember what she gave to her people and what she sacrificed for her dream of democracy. In these troubled times, let us hope we all have sufficient courage to live by our principles and follow our own dreams of peace and freedom. Most of all, let us hope that her sacrifice was not in vain.

As to who may have done this heinous thing, the truly sad thing is that there are so many different factions that could have been responsible and will see her loss as a benefit to themselves. This has to be considered a tragic failure of our foreign policy, for sure. I have to ask again -- when will we ever learn?

Thank you, Countdown, for being there tonight. We need your voice right now to help us make whatever sense of this there is to make.

Anna Molly (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 2:57 PM)

I agree with the Oddball comment. I change the channel until that portion is over.

Barb Miller, Boswell PA (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 2:59 PM)

I don't need to hear what Keith has to say I already know - it's Bush's fault. lol.. He's like a broken record, probably why his ratings are so low.

scott henderson nv (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 3:39 PM)

I don't need to hear what Keith has to say I already know - it's Bush's fault. lol.. He's like a broken record, probably why his ratings are so low. scott henderson nv (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 3:39 PM)

Hey scott -- It probably IS Bush’s fault, at least in part, for not shutting down the Talibani warlords, not doing more to find Osama bin Laden, not getting tough with Musharraf, and not acting more aggressively to protect free elections. Don’t forget – Pakistan already has a nuclear weapon and a couple of guys who know how to use it. No laughing matter at all.

Just my thoughts, anyway. I know it’s probably useless to try to get you to argue with me, so I’ll just ask you -- how’s the weather in Nevada?

Anna Molly (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 3:55 PM)

Hi all, Lets see a popular three time peoples choice politician in a country run by a dictator who said she would have to be under house arrest for her own protection (sorta like a mafia death threat). WOW my hat is off to her I would have caught the first train OUT of the country. By the way Scott if Keith says its Bushes fault I'll personally wash your car for free for one year!

YouKnowMe, Somewhrer close by (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:01 PM)

Pervez Musharraf says it was terrorists, which is becoming a tried and true technique. How fortunate they attacked the opposition leader, instead of him. PR, Grand Junction, CO (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 2:27 PM)

You mean like our good friends also saved from those nasty insurgents, friends like Manuel Noriega and a few other central amerikan slimebag dictators, and our very good friend who ran Iraq before we saved Iraq from him, and his buddy next door who ran Iran, and the Taliban that the US supported in their brave fight for freedom against the USSR... and that's the short list...

Rest well, Benazir. We hardly knew ya.

Les, Jamestown NY (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:20 PM)

Pam Bignardi:

"Horrifyingly, both Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney are working this tragedy into their campaign speeches today; just how low can these evil men stoop??"

So did Hilary and Obama......so??

katsyb, Montana (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:22 PM)

Hey and Musharraf abolished their Constitution..sort of like what Bush is doing. They are birds of a feather.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:23 PM)

scott henderson nv (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 3:39 PM)

Violent assassination, increasing the turmoil in an already dangerously unstable country ... and you try to make juvenile jokes.

Please try to have the courtesy, for once, to--I don't know--shut up for a day.

ek, mpls mn (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:24 PM)

Thank God Countdown is back.

I miss Keith!

(BTW I thought David Shuster did a great job filling in -- hint hint). Allison does fine, too.

riffle New York NY (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:35 PM)

Benazir Bhutto was a dead-woman walking the second she returned to Pakistan. She knew it, Mushariff knew it and the Bush Administration knew it. As to who was behind the assassination just go with your first thoughts. Bhutto was a true freedom fighter who knew that she would become a martyr long before she was able to accomplish personally what she envisioned for her people.

As far as Iraq goes in relation to Pakistan, one can see that all it takes in this region is the killing of one person of some influence to throw a country into total chaos. It matters not if so-called surges have a degree of success. So we are supposed to think that Iraq is reaching some level of stability? This region can eat you up and spit you out on a whim. Bush is not at fault for this assassination. But he is certainly at fault for thinking he can control what goes on in Iraq, Pakistan and other countries in this region no matter the military might of the US.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:50 PM)

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:50 PM)

Spot on C A; outstanding!!

PEACE!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 5:00 PM)

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:50 PM)

Good, C A. Very good analysis. And my first thoughts are still of the Pakistani regime--because it appears to me, wrong though it may be--that she was a greater threat at the present time to Musharraf than to the other factions in that grievously divided country.

Faire Elinor (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 5:13 PM)

No Scott Henderson, you are the broken record. If someone is going to take cheap shots and smear people we know it is scott henderson. Someone who adds absolutely nothing to an arguemment then their own hate and bias then we are talking about scott henderson. Someone that will blindly defend this administration and blame everthing on Clinton, then we are talking about scott henderson. If we are talking about someone who does not have courage and belittles those that actually served then we are talking about scott henderson. If we need someone to justify torture, rendition, and unlimited detainment, we are talking about scott henderson. You want to talk about a broken record, everyone knows exactly where you stand scott henderson. If it helps the republic party to the detrement of the country as a whole, then we are talking about scott henderson. scott henderson is all about party loyalty and to belittel, demonize, and smear anyone that thinks other wise. Well when you talk about scott henderson, he just regurgitates Rush's talking points. So technically he is a broken record. He can only repeat what he has been told by other people. Original thought is a concept scott henderson does not understand. Wow don't I sound like a broken record talking about scott henderson.

bobf (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 5:40 PM)

Also very glad that Keith is returning, although I did enjoy his substitutes. I too wish it was under better circumstances. I had to reread the headline on huffingtonpost several times before it sunk in.

Sad state of affairs.
It's no excuse, but we must remember that Pakistan (in addition to many countries in the Middle East) are relatively young nations and are still working out some of the kinks. I hope that some kind of peace comes to that region when we have a democrat in the Oval Office.

I just hope and pray that Mr. Bush does not view this as an opportunity to lend our support (aka-invade and occupy) Pakistan in an effort to stabilize that nation.

Anyway, I am pretty sad at this news and am really looking forward to Keith's analysis.

Happy New Year everyone!

Sarah, Tucson, AZ (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 5:40 PM)

katsyb, Montana (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:22 PM)

You're correct; I just was emailed what Obama's campaign manager said. He attacked Hillary Clinton while using this tragedy!! It's the same; no change!!

I hate this!! One would think on ONE day, with this horrible event, ALL politicians could just not think about "me, me and me!!" No one should spin this; it’s despicable!!

PEACE TO YOU!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 5:59 PM)

news hole; come on --update the blog. after more than a week it's crappy moderation?

horrible (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 6:00 PM)

news hole, here we go again. post all comments

thank you (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 6:07 PM)

I am sad for the Pakistani people at the loss of Mrs. Bhutto. Today they've lost a leader that could've helped the Pakistani people to break away from the dictitorial government and the religious extremism that is preventing the country from moving forward with democracy and freedom. I am also ashamed of our government and President, that instead of pursuing the ones who brought murder and mayhem to our doorstep in Afghanistan, they instead chose to pursue an old vendetta in Iraq. By taking these actions and letting Al-Quaeda get away Mr. Bush, you are hereby responsible for this awlful tragedy, because if we would have done what was right and just we would've pursued the terrorists that attacked us and their leaders into the gates of hell and this would almost certainly would'nt have happened because their wouldn't be no comeback or regeneration of their forces. The frickin terrorists wouldn't have been able to migrate into Pakistan Mr. Bush!

George, Louisville KY (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 6:53 PM)

So glad to have Keith back on tonight. What a great tradegy today. A completely brave and selfless woman! Going back to Pakistan knowing that her life was in danger, but willing to do so for the good of the Pakistani people. Her family and country are in our prayers.

Pat P, south of the Windy City, IL (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 7:10 PM)

George, Louisville KY (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 6:53 PM)

Agreed, sir. An excellent and insightful summation of the real issues. It is, in fact, my own opinion that this is probably the work of the Talibani (Al Qaeda) warlords, maybe even under the direction of Osama bin Laden. No one benefits by a de-stabilized Pakistan more than they do. By ignoring the problem and allowing Al Qaeda to regroup in Pakistan, we created the conditions that allowed this to occur. In addition to the boost this gives Al Qaeda, there is the added side effect that it ultimately helps both Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif. I don’t think either one of them would have dared to do it, but neither one probably minds it very much. What on earth do we do now? Round up the usual suspects? We haven’t even tried to round them up before now.

Anna Molly (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 7:35 PM)

Thanks for coming back today, Keith and Countdown staff. When things like this happen, we need you and your sense.

Rest in peace, Benazir. I only wish we could find some peace in this world.

Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 7:50 PM)

I have read a few posts today suggesting that Ms. Bhutto may have been foolish by putting herself into harm’s way. I presume no one is trying to say that Ms. Bhutto should not have gone back to Pakistan, or that she should have stayed under cover, or that we did not have any obligation to do more directly to prevent what happened here. If anyone is NOT at fault for killing Ms. Bhutto, it is Ms. Bhutto. The fact that she was brave enough to lead so openly does not in any way excuse the Bush administration for failing to do more about Pakistan. In order to encourage her followers, Ms. Bhutto had to show that she was brave enough to confront the government. In order to show that the U.S. really supports democracy, we needed to do more to help her. We could have put more pressure on Musharraf to deal with the Talibani warlords and/or to find bin Laden. We could have shown her more open support, thereby encouraging her supporters. We did neither of these things. There was and still is far too much at stake in Pakistan for the Bushies to have ignored this problem so completely. An excellent post by a gentleman named George from Louisville sets out clearly what the Bush administration did wrong here. It goes well beyond hubris. We had the means to prevent the resurgence of the Talibani warlords and Al Qaeda in Pakistan. We could have made Musharraf do it, but we didn’t. Ms. Bhutto’s death may have been the probable result of our failings, but it’s most certainly not her fault.

Anna Molly (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 7:51 PM)

Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the forces of terrorism ...

The government I led gave ordinary people peace, security, dignity, and opportunity to progress ...

The Taliban have apparently given refuge to an Arab who is leading a Jihad against the United States and who apparently sponsored the bombings ...

It's true that General Musharraf opposed my return, seeing me as a symbol of democracy in the country. He is comfortable with dictatorship. I hope better sense prevails ...

Democracy needs support and the best support for democracy comes from other democracies. Democratic nations should ... come together in an association designed to help each other and promote what is a universal value — democracy ...

The next few months are critical to Pakistan's future direction as a democratic state committed to promoting peace, fighting terrorism and working for social justice ...

Fortune Cookie (in memoriam) (Benazir Bhutto) (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 8:21 PM)

Anna Molly--they're blue.

IC (sez the formerly blind woman) (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 8:36 PM)

Thanks for coming back, Keith, but you really dropped the ball on something. Are you aware that of all the presidential candidates, it was only JOHN EDWARDS who put in a call to Musharraf today AND GOT A CALL BACK? He's been spun as the foreign policy lightweight, but not even Hillary pulled that off. And you also let Dana Milbank perpetuate the meme that this helps Giuliani and Clinton -- something that's only true IF THE MEDIA insists on putting it out there. You're usually right on the money, but on this one, not so much, I'm afraid.

JJ in NJ (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 9:30 PM)

Mike Malloy on Air America just played audio of Sir David Frost talking with Benazir Bhutto, in which she mentioned "the man who had murdered Osama Bin Laden." Please push to have this truth exposed!!! Does the Bush regime keep this bombshell from us to keep the straw man alive? Did a Bush/Musharef deal favoring the arms industry just hire an assassin and a fanatic suicide bomber to keep Bush/Musharef in power?

DAVID STONE, CHICAGO, IL (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 9:34 PM)

Good Thursday evening, everyone. Not knowing if there will be a thread for tonight's show, I guess I'll post some thoughts here. The email left behind by Mrs. Bhutto was truly spooky - vaguely reminiscent of the tape left behind by Harvey Milk. She was truly prepared to fight for her country literally to her last breath.

Of course, Musharf is going to blame "Islamic extremists,"; he arguably had the most to gain by her death! And, GWB talked to him for a whole 10 minutes today? You can't even bake a frozen pizza in that time.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 10:12 PM)

I thought the point made by Hillary Mann Leverett about GWB pushing not to postpone the elections was wonderful. This is the same GWB who pushed the Palestinians for elections, and we got Hamas. With Mrs. Bhutto's party not having a successor (how the heck did that happen?! You would've thought they'd at least considered the possiblity of her death), and the other opposition party already saying they would boycott, Musharaf and his minions would probably come out on top with the few people who bother to vote. I would say that the US is not getting out $5 billion worth out of President/General/Dictator/Whatever Musharaf. It was awfully big of him, though, to declare 3 whole days of mourning for Mrs. Bhutto.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 10:18 PM)

And, finally, to end my thoughts on even more of a downer note, Keith, I gotta smack ya' down just a bit on talking about Sen. Clinton VS. Sen. Obama after having Senator Dodd on earlier. C’mon…you’re better than falling into main-stream media political talking points, especially after hearing the wonderfully thoughtful points made by Senator Dodd. I, too, think that Mrs. Bhutto's party should have a chance to come up with a worthy candidate to succeed her. Maybe the other party who said they would boycott would come back to the process if the elections were postponed. I know putting off the elections might also give Musharaf time to figure out some way to hold onto power, but maybe - just maybe - if he tries any further "shenanigans" to stay in power, the US will rethink our efforts and all the money we're pouring into that country. As pointed out tonight, he needs US support desperately. That fact just might make him "behave." Who knows...I won't hold my breath.

Thanks, Keith, for coming back to report on this very important story.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 10:27 PM)

The people of good will, are more dangerous than the bad. One can negate a cruel army. That is dangerous.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 10:53 PM)

Thanks for the show tonight, Countdown.

Have you all seen Rudy's new ad, released today? Calling helpful people on 9/11 the "children, grand children, great grand children of the Greatest Generation." And how if those bad terrorists try to come over here and steal our freedom they'll see what we're made of? Well, what about those people already here who are stealing our freedoms?

The man is utterly shameless. Today was not the day for releasing an ad invoking mass murderers. Today was a day to honor a woman who gave her life for her people.

It's the Shock Doctrine in action. I wonder what he'll have to say tomorrow.

NWReader (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 10:59 PM)

Keith, you have no shame. I used to respect you, but you now espouse only one political viewpoint under the guise of a news program. Why do you never have guests on that disagree with you? I mean, even O'Reilly invites the opposition on his show. Debate is dead on Countdown.

John, Winston-Salem, NC (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 11:20 PM)

It's been put out by some 'experts', that literally no Pakistani group, outside of Bhutto's own followers, want a Woman leading a 'Muslim' Nation. That seems to ring true with radical fundamentalist groups of a slightly different ilk, here in the USA, concerning Hillary leading a 'Christian' Nation. The only difference in the philosophies? The Pakistani ones want to go back to 630 and the US ones want to go back to 1830.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 12:03 AM)

bobf-

PERFECTLY SAID!!!

Kathy (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 12:17 AM)

bobf-

PERFECTLY SAID!!!

Kathy (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 12:17 AM)

I just bought Keiths new book today online. Im looking forward to reading, especially as the death of former P.M. Bhutto is in the news. It is a sad day. She championed fairness and peace in a place that didnt have it. The only problem is, now, the Republicans will use this as a tool for war. Rest In Peace, Ms. Bhutto,and thank you Keith for the good job today.

Joe LaForm Behtlehem,Pa (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 12:59 AM)

NV Scott:

Yeah, we're a bunch of bush haters. Pakistan goes out of control while The Neo-Cons mini-nuke Iran, and we blame Bushie Boy. We are so crap. The Taliban make a comeback while The Neo-Cons start a war w/ Iraq, and we blame Bushie Boy. We have some nerve, because Neo-Cons NEVER hated or blamed Clinton--as YOU know all too well.

Do you believe that Pakistan is a lesser problem than Iran? Do you have anything to offer other than we hate bush?

Talvenada, Phila., Penna. (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 1:24 AM)

Anna Molly--they're blue. IC (sez the formerly blind woman) (Sent Thursday, December 27, 2007 8:36 PM)

Does this hint at the return of the one with the twitching tale?

kat-a-touie (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 1:39 AM)

Thank You Keith for coming back to report on Benazir Bhutto. We appreciate your much needed voice in this. I could say so many things about this beautiful, brave woman, but I will only say I was deeply, deeply saddened by her death. I have admired her for many years. Knowing her fate, she moved forward anyway to help her people and restore democracy to her country. The world has lost a great leader. She will not soon be forgotten. My thoughts are with her children and family.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:12 AM)

Fortune Cookie (in memoriam) (Benazir Bhutto) Thursday, December 27, 2007 8:21 PM..thank you Fortune Cookie for posting this.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:16 AM)

A very sad day indeed ....Go to 6:10 in this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIO8B6fpFSQ

She says Osama bin Laden Is dead and who murdered him and has been dead for awhile....
The plot thickens...What does this say about why she was killed?It sure as hell makes you wonder...

Nick Eddie, Memphis Tn (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:34 AM)

Sounds like when Condoleeza dropped Benazir off in Pakistan, all she gave her was a message from Dubya, instructing her to "...go over and see MOO-SHER-IFF and do that Democracy-thing...". It's the same MO used for the first troops sent into the 'Liberated' Iraq. No bulletproof vests, no armored Hummers, no frequency jammers, only the inferred advice of "...get your family to send you some." Unfortunately, Bhutto's family was dead, from previous Pakistani misfortunes. Pervez, copying Dubya's technique of the fluid time line, didn't realize she would need any protection until five minutes after she died. His original way of keeping her safe, was to just lock her up. Washington needed her to be out on the hustings, for reasons that undoubtedly are Congressional-Proof Top Secret. In the end, we are left with one more thing we'll never know the truth about, and one more dead Muslim who would talk with Americans. Just an Independent observation.

Steve Turner cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:58 AM)

I thought that we were winning the war on terror. You can't bring democracy to those who don't want it.

rush limpbaugh (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 7:40 AM)

A fortune for the new year, honoring Benazir Bhutto --

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one …

Fortune Cookie (Dreams Edition) (the Beatles, John Lennon, Imagine) (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 8:55 AM)

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