Pakistan's crisis puts new focus on candidates' foreign policy skills

PELLA, IOWA - Turmoil in Pakistan has moved foreign policy to the forefront of the U.S. presidential campaign, a potentially unwelcome development for two Republican former governors with thin credentials on world affairs.

Mike Huckabee, who spent a decade leading Arkansas, and Mitt Romney, who served one term as Massachusetts governor, have faced questions over the past two days about whether they have adequate experience to lead the country during an international crisis. They are in a tight race in Iowa with caucus voting on Thursday.

"The most important thing people need to know is that you have the judgment to deal with the issues that confront you," Huckabee said Friday, brushing aside the notion that his diplomatic résumé lacks heft. "I understand something about the way the world works."

Romney responded Thursday to the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto -- and to any idea that he's weak on foreign policy -- by playing down the need for a president well-versed in international issues.

Instead, Romney said, what is needed is a chief executive with leadership and the ability to assemble "a great team of people to be able to guide and direct them to understand what decision has to be made."

Meanwhile, Republican John McCain defended Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf against criticism in the wake of the assassination.

He said U.S. politicians should keep in mind that Musharraf has been a largely reliable ally who agreed to hold elections. "Prior to Musharraf, Pakistan was a failed state," McCain said. "They had corrupt governments and they would rotate back and forth and there was corruption, and Musharraf basically restored order."

In other developments:

• Democratic candidate John Edwards said those who take money from special interests cannot bring change to Washington -- criticism aimed at Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

• Romney began new hard-hitting ads against his top rivals. In Iowa, he criticizes Huckabee on foreign policy and spending, while assailing McCain on taxes and immigration in a spot for New Hampshire.

ASSOCIATED PRESS