Early Turnout Favors Putin in Russian Election. European Elections Live Thread. ( Also Spain ).

Reuters.com ^ | 14 Macrh 2004 | Reuters

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin looked on track to win re-election on Sunday, with early turnout reported high enough for a valid vote and his only real threat of voter apathy apparently evaporating in the spring sunshine.

With voting under way across the country's eleven time zones, Russian media reported turnout in the sparsely populated east of the country had hit the 50 percent hurdle needed for the election to be valid. Putin cast his vote in Moscow on Sunday morning

[expatpat]

Also the part of Spain with the higest population of Muslims.

[InterceptPoint]

Are they worth the loss of a pro WOT Spanish govt? Osama and company were pretty smart to pick Madrid to carry out such a bombing as the recriminations will now cost Bush a MAJOR anti terror ally.

You are betting that the response of the Spanish Man on the Street will be to punish the Government for getting into the War in Iraq and inviting an al Qaeda attack. The alternative reaction of the Woman on the Street could well be: They are attacking me and my children and I want a Government that will fight back.

One of these emotional responses will be stronger than the other. I am still hopeful that the people of Spain have the common sense to do the right thing. The Conservatives were 3-5% favorites but will they win? A failure to do so would be a huge victory for al Qaeda and would increase dramatically the likelihood of a terrorist act aimed at affecting the November elections in this country. We'll know the answer soon.

[KantianBurke]

What's also worrisome is the long term effects if the Socialists come to power. If they do Al Queda will make sure that Spain is NOT attacked again. End result will be many nations will think to themselves that "ever since Spain stopped helping the US, they haven't experienced any terror attacks. Maybe we should do the same?"

[Smile-n-Win]

If they do Al Queda will make sure that Spain is NOT attacked again.

I think you are misoverestimating AQ. They attack where they see weakness. If the Spanish people re-elect Aznar in spite of the "argument" the terrorists put forth last week, AQ will know Spain is a brave nation, and will stay away from there. OTOH if they french in and elect the Socialists, that will embolden the ragheads to plan further attacks.

[GiveEmDubya]

What's also worrisome is the long term effects if the Socialists come to power.

This is also what I have been concerned with. I am convinced that Spain will be the newest member of the "Axis of Weasels" if Mariano Rajoy does not win for Aznar's party today. It has become clear over the last few years, especially by following the example of nations like France and Germany, that socialists and terrorists are natural allies.

What separates us from the vast majority of Euroweenies is that when we got hit, we stood together and vowed to defeat the evil that wanted to defeat us. They, on the other hand, are ready to cave and elect a terrorist-friendly, anti-American government to appease their attackers.

Hopefully, more nations will not fall off the path and become terrorist-friendly.

[freedom moose]

Voter turnout reported at 41.something% which is 5.something% higher than the 2000 election. not very a very exciting piece of news i know, but that's all the election news there is at the moment

[Iberian]

I am betting that the Muslims in Spain will not be flocking to the polls today. The Spaniards are angry, the Muslims stay home.

[Connservative]

You are betting that the response of the Spanish Man on the Street will be to punish the Government for getting into the War in Iraq and inviting an al Qaeda attack. The alternative reaction of the Woman on the Street could well be: They are attacking me and my children and I want a Government that will fight back.

I wish I could be as hopeful. :(

That tape they had claimed that this was a direct result of Spain's decision to back the USA in the Iraq War. When you consider that 90% polled in Spain were dead-set against Pain's involvement, that will fire them up.

Of course rumors (not backed up whatsoever with fact mind you) that the Popular Party deliberately witheld info regarding AQ involvement in the attack until after the election isn't helping, either.

I hope the Popular Party manages to hold on, but I have to be honest... I'm not hopeful.

[freedom moose]

not much news yet. many TV stations and radio projcting PP will lose its majority.

[freedom moose]

PSOE will win 154-158 seats
PP will have 150-154
this is just a projection!
there's another election thread running

[Unam Sanctam]

Oh no!

[areafiftyone]

Yup I have been lurking on the liberal forums to see if they have any results and this is what they got. Polls are closed and here it is so far.

PSOE is winning between 154 and 158 seats, while the Partido Popular is winning between 150 and 154 seats.

[nuconvert]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1097518/posts

[Heatseeker]

The Spain bomb attack verifies two policies - in the fight against terrorism the Bush policy of unilateralism should be the only one utilized and the Blair policy of multilateralism is a BIG mistake.

Think about it. Those 2 thousand Spanish soldiers sure make for a decent news article mention but tactically what good are they? Are they worth the loss of a pro WOT Spanish govt? Osama and company were pretty smart to pick Madrid to carry out such a bombing as the recriminations will now cost Bush a MAJOR anti terror ally.

Sadly, you have been proven correct.