Partly Facetious: with power comes astuteness

"So the rifts between the authors of the Charter of Democracy have started."
"That's the failing of our politicians. They are so easy to manipulate."
"What ever do you mean?"
"First the Opposition joined hands to protest against the Bugti killing..."
"Ah I see and it was so easy to start talk of the Hudood Ordinance and try to make a deal with the Maulanas, the ones who would have been the natural enemies of any amendment on that score, instead of trying to join hands with the amendment's natural allies, who would have been any other party but the Maulanas..."
"Right and then the deal with the Maulanas became unstruck!"
"As would have been expected! But not before the Maulanas were isolated from the joint opposition against the Bugti killing..."
"Right. Then one author of the Charter of Democracy, BB, successfully got Gilani released and may now want to revisit her deal with Nawaz Sharif."
"Indeed and Nawaz Sharif is angry at her for not making a deal for the release of Javed Hashmi."
"But apparently she has requested a meeting with Nawaz Sharif this month to end the differences."
"But I agree with you - it has been so easy to manipulate these so-called veteran politicians. I mean both BB and Nawaz Sharif have experience in the political arena that is much greater than President Musharraf's..."
"With one important point of departure: For these two there was always a higher authority but for President Musharraf there isn't."
"So with power comes astuteness."
"Indeed and unless power is complete..."
"Well, let's not call it complete - let's just say unless power is exercisable in all fields of activity..."
"I guess you are right there."
"What about the lesser politicians."
"They will be wooed if it is necessary to woo them. I don't think the President is likely to make offers or concessions to anyone unless it serves a specific purpose."
"Many more eminent persons have written a letter challenging the premise that democracy and a uniformed President are compatible."
"And each one of these eminent people has worked for military dictatorships I am sure."
"Why are you so sure?"
"You can't get to be eminent in this country unless you do so."
"Ah, you are being facetious."