The Bhutto murder lets the world see how politicians of all kinds react to such events. Mike Huckabee rather failed the test by offering “sincere concern and apologies for what has happened in Pakistan.” Apologies? He later explained he had misspoke and meant to say “sympathies” – but went on to make other blunders. Brown’s words were well-chosen: – she “risked everything in her attempt to win democracy in Pakistan and she has been assassinated by cowards afraid of democracy”. He then added a rather Blairesque proclamation that this “strengthens our resolve that terrorists will not win there, here or anywhere in the world.” Brown needs to bolster his statesman credentials, and didn’t blow his chance today. Cameron, too, focused on the “terrorism” line.

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