U.S. Seeks Overhaul in Kabul After Vote

By PETER SPIEGEL and JAY SOLOMON

The Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON -- U.S. officials are strategizing about how to persuade Afghan President Hamid Karzai to overhaul his government, which is widely viewed here as corrupt and ineffectual, if he wins a second term.

At the same time, some in Washington fear a runoff election could steal valuable time from the international efforts to stabilize the country. Both Mr. Karzai and his leading challenger, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, have claimed significant leads.