27 Dec All (International) Politics is Local: Bloomberg Responds to Bhutto Assassination
There are too many fast-breaking reactions and early analyses of today’s assassination of Benazir Bhutto to summarize adequately at this stage. But I was struck that Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued his own statement, focusing on the connection between New Yorkers — in particular the 100,000 Pakistani-Americans who call New York home — and the violence and threats to democracy in Pakistan. He is even out in front of many national politicians in urging that the January elections be held as scheduled:
STATEMENT BY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON THE ASSASSINATION OF FORMER PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER BENAZIR BHUTTO
“Today all New Yorkers, including the more than 100,000 who can trace their heritage to Pakistan, are saddened to learn about the assassination of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Hers was a voice for democracy, and the silencing of it — by such brutal means — is a shock to us all. Ms. Bhutto’s death — and the deaths of the many other Pakistanis who were killed today simply for expressing their views — is a great loss for friends of democracy and for everyone who is united in the fight against terror. It’s also a grim reminder that many people consider the freedoms we cherish a threat. The perpetrators of this violent act must be brought to justice, and it is my hope that President Musharraf will follow through on free and fair elections in January as a testament to Ms. Bhutto’s legacy.”
Hat tip: Ben Smith
Nice catch from Ben Smith. I am continually amazed by Mike Bloomberg’s leadership. He seems like just the kind of steady hand to guide America in this turbulent 21st century. Join us at Unite For Mike.