So here is the fundamental question

In thinking about a coherent strategic foreign policy for America, here is the fundamental question to ask as the Obama administration debates actions: are America's long-term interests better served by supporting (1) an autocratic government that is friendly to American interests and willing to be helpful, like Saudi Arabia (and like Mubarik was in Egypt), or (2) a popularly elected government that is hostile to America and its interests, like Hamas in the West Bank?

There is a popular delusion among both liberals and conservatives that democracy and popular elections inevitably lead to better governments. But in fact, in the absence of of some key institutions and attitudes in a culture, such as the rule of law and property rights and an informed, educated electorate, popular elections frequently just enthrone another autocratic regime.  It is worth remembering that Hitler came to power in an honest popular election, and in a nation that had the sort of institutions and traditions that one generally expects to support a working democracy.  Popular elections do not always produce good governments, and they certainly don't always help America's long-term interests.