President Congratulates Iraqis on Election

The White House ^ | January 30, 2005 | President George W. Bush

[Stoat]

President Congratulates Iraqis on Election
 

 

President's Remarks view listen

 

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE IRAQI ELECTION

The Cross Hall

1:00 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Today the people of Iraq have spoken to the world, and the world is hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East.

In great numbers, and under great risk, Iraqis have shown their commitment to democracy. By participating in free elections, the Iraqi people have firmly rejected the anti-democratic ideology of the terrorists. They have refused to be intimidated by thugs and assassins. And they have demonstrated the kind of courage that is always the foundation of self-government.

Some Iraqis were killed while exercising their rights as citizens. We also mourn the American and British military personnel who lost their lives today. Their sacrifices were made in a vital cause of freedom, peace in a troubled region, and a more secure future for us all.

The Iraqi people, themselves, made this election a resounding success. Brave patriots stepped forward as candidates. Many citizens volunteered as poll workers. More than 100,000 Iraqi security force personnel guarded polling places and conducted operations against terrorist groups. One news account told of a voter who had lost a leg in a terror attack last year, and went to the polls today, despite threats of violence. He said, "I would have crawled here if I had to. I don't want terrorists to kill other Iraqis like they tried to kill me. Today I am voting for peace."

Across Iraq today, men and women have taken rightful control of their country's destiny, and they have chosen a future of freedom and peace. In this process, Iraqis have had many friends at their side. The European Union and the United Nations gave important assistance in the election process. The American military and our diplomats, working with our coalition partners, have been skilled and relentless, and their sacrifices have helped to bring Iraqis to this day. The people of the United States have been patient and resolute, even in difficult days.

The commitment to a free Iraq now goes forward. This historic election begins the process of drafting and ratifying a new constitution, which will be the basis of a fully democratic Iraqi government. Terrorists and insurgents will continue to wage their war against democracy, and we will support the Iraqi people in their fight against them. We will continue training Iraqi security forces so this rising democracy can eventually take responsibility for its own security.

There's more distance to travel on the road to democracy. Yet Iraqis are proving they're equal to the challenge. On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Iraq on this great and historic achievement.

Thank you very much.

END 1:05 P.M. EST

 

 

[Stoat]

[Simmy2.5]

Today is turning out to be a great day. Not for the DUmmies though. And of course, with most of their sources of news for this election coming from Aljazeera, it's obvious where they stand.

[yooper]

Any stats on turnout persentage yet?

[rwfromkansas]

72 percent earlier......almost equal to Afghanistan's somewhere in the 70's turnout last year.

However, I have heard it go up to 75 on an Iraqi blog.

[Simmy2.5]

That's a higher percentage of voters then the people who voted in our elections. And we didn't have to worry about suicide bombers.

The taste of FREEDOM!

[SouthCarolinaKit]

Meanwhile, the oh so predictable, Chris Matthews is showing film only of the Sunni polls with no voters. Whatever he presents should not be called news. . . propaganda? Moron Matthews will be added to my 'must miss' list again.

[EagleUSA]

...Matthews is showing film only of the Sunni polls with no voters....
=====
Yes, these MSM losers, including dip-sh** Matthews, just cannot handle the positive, historic sucsess of the Iraq elections...they are beside themselves, why, this was not supposed to happen...it couldn't happen because we said so!!! We, the all powerful MSM, why God takes orders from us....choke on it Chris.

[rwfromkansas]

FYI, reportedly NBC is saying turnout was at 50 percent, like an American election basically.

I am not sure how they arrived at these numbers.....they may have done their own polling or something, in which case the numbers are suspect.

At the present time, I trust the earlier govt. number of 72 percent.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

72 percent send a strong message. This is a win, win, win.

[rwfromkansas]

FYI again, that appears to be a lowballed estimate, not the official govt. estimate:

"Conservative estimates placed turnout at 50 to 60 percent of the 14 to 15 million Iraqis who were eligible."

It may have been between the high 75 percent and the low 50 or so......say, 65.

[daybreakcoming]

Did anyone else notice those smiling Presidential eyes during his speech? His eyes were saying "HIGH FIVE"

[Stoat]

Did anyone else notice those smiling Presidential eyes during his speech? His eyes were saying "HIGH FIVE"

YES!  And he has ample reason to be jubilant....he doesn't need any additional vindication for what we've done in Iraq, but today's elections are another marvelous feather in his cap. 

The Left is showing itself to be a far more vicious and tenacious enemy than the terrorists in many ways, and these elections are not only a victory for the Iraqi people, but a victory for our President as well.  Even if it takes a few more elections for Iraq to really be running well and smoothly, it's obvious that the Iraqi people are firmly behind the push for Democracy and they aren't going to turn back.  They aren't listening to Chris Matthews and the Leftist naysayers....they're listening to their hearts which yearn for freedom, as is the case for all of us.

Iraq will soon become a grand beacon of freedom in the Middle East, and will serve as the first in a line of dominoes that will gradually move those suffering under the oppressive,  iron bootheel of Islamofascism to a life of truth, happiness and freedom.  We live in glorious, magical times and the events of today will echo throughout eternity.

[Callahan]

I saw 'em. Hey, take a tour of the lefty blogs. They're beside themselves with anger/grief/disbelief. Goes without saying: If it's good news for America (and the decent people in Iraq), it's bad news for the Left.