While there is plenty about Robert Mugabe to excoriate, we in the West know little about Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of MDC. The fact that the people of Zimbabwe haven't taken to the streets to sweep him into office can, of course, be attributed to ZANU-PF's threats. It also, though, may relate to their ambivalent feelings about the opposition. Yes, Mugabe's regime has been repressive, economically disastrous, and otherwise reprehensible. But how do we know that one led by Tsvangirai wouldn't be more of the same? Not all of the reluctance of other nations in the region to jump on his bandwagon can be due to their fondness for Mugabe. As a long-time observer of Africa, I suggest a little objectivity is in order.

Sent by Dave Donelson | 9:56 AM ET | 05-03-2008