By Andrew L. Jaffee

Benazir Bhutto is a courageous woman. Today she drew crowds of political supporters in greater numbers than can either Pakistani President Musharraf or the nation’s Islamists. Precisely because of Bhutto’s political potential, someone tried to kill her before she had even finished one day at home:

More than 100 people have been killed, including 20 police officers, after two bombs hit crowds greeting returning Pakistani ex-PM Benazir Bhutto.

Ms Bhutto was being driven in a convoy through crowded streets from Karachi airport to a rally to mark her homecoming after eight years in exile. …

Several Islamist groups including pro-Taleban militants have made threats against Ms Bhutto. …

Witnesses said body parts were strewn across Ms Bhutto’s truck. The death toll is expected to rise. …

Such ugliness. Who is responsible? No one knows yet. The Islamists certainly want to kill Bhutto. The mere thought of a woman ruling Pakistan is anathema to their “religious” belief system. One may be tempted to think that President Musharraf should have planned better for Bhutto’s arrival but, “Police vehicles took the main force of the blasts.” That being said, I doubt Musharraf is celebrating her return. He doesn’t exactly relish the idea of Bhutto challenging his everlasting presidency.