Sharif has built his entire career on Islamist populism. In 1990, he ran as the candidate for prime minister of the Islamic Democratic Alliance, known as IJI because of its Urdu initials. Sharif became prime minister for the first time after a nasty anti-Bhutto and anti-Western campaign. Here is what the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, which sent observers for that election, had to say about that campaign:

"The most contentious element of the election campaign, and perhaps the most successful from an IJI perspective, was the IJI's strategy of tying Benazir and Nusrat Bhutto to the United States and to the so-called 'Indo-Zionist lobby' in the U.S. The lobby was portrayed as having close ties to India and Israel, and opposing Pakistan's development of a nuclear capability. In particular, the Bhuttos were accused of 'selling-out' Pakistan's nuclear program."

How can someone who described his liberals opponents as agents of the Indo-Zionist lobby be anything but a bigot? How can someone whose party had open rallies across the Punjab with thousands chanting "Death to Solarz, Death to Siegel" (Benazir Bhutto's two closest Jewish friends) be anything but an anti-Semite?

Additionally, both times Sharif served as prime minister, he unsuccessfully tried to impose Sharia law on the nation, introducing Sharia legislation in 1991 and 1998. If he is prime minister again, his alliance with pro-jihadist forces might this time succeed in the Sharia battle for control over Pakistan's legal system, just as fanatics radicalized Iran.

There may be some in the U.S. intelligence agencies who would rather deal with dictators than democrats. Perhaps the same people would prefer jihadists to moderates. Sharif has demonstrated that he is linked to the most radical fundamentalists in Pakistan, is notoriously anti-Semitic, ihostile to the United States, and indifferent to the war on terrorists and extremists in Pakistan and Afghanistan.