Democratic dawn in Iraq

Guardian ^ | February 3, 2009 | William Shawcross

[Kaslin]

Polling was peaceful, the results encouraging. We could yet be looking at a model for Arab states

The weekend's elections in Iraq were a huge success for the Iraqi people. The remarkably peaceful day of voting on Saturday - and the interim results - give good reason to hope Iraq really is on the way to building a decent society.

These provincial elections were held in 14 of the country's 18 provinces (Kurdistan will hold separate elections, and the disputed oil-rich city of Kirkuk was deemed "too hard" at present). This was the first post-Saddam election that the Iraqis handled themselves. Iraqi soldiers protected the polling stations. It was also the first election to have international observers in all 712 constituencies. In 2005 terrorist attacks made that too dangerous. Then, more than 200 candidates were killed - this time, eight died. There were 14,412 candidates standing for office, an impressive number.

This was also the first election in which there was no boycott on ethnic or sectarian grounds. There was an enormous spread of views represented on the ballot papers - Iraq is the only Arab country which offers almost everyone, including Trotskyites and monarchists, the freedom to stand for election.

The turnout, 51%, was less than some predicted but importantly it included many Sunnis who had boycotted the last elections in 2005. Turnout in some of the Sunni areas was as high as 60%. The hope is that these Sunnis have turned from the methods of al-Qaida, which dominated the early post-Saddam years, to the political process.

[Redgirl]

This news must really be upsetting the Dems and Ron Paul.

[PzLdr]

As they used to say, without the respect I do: “Bush’s fault!”.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

You beat me to it! :)

[Kaslin]

You can say that again

[a fool in paradise]

THIS is because Obama is president now. Bush had nothing to do with it. Honest. < /Chrissy Olbermanopolous >

[Billthedrill]

The peaceful polling was remarkable and so were the results. All the Islamic parties lost ground, especially that associated with the so-called "Shia firebrand", Moqtada al-Sadr, whose share of the vote went down from 11% to 3%. The principal Sunni Islamic party, the Islamic Party of Iraq, was wiped out.

We'll be reading about this in the U.S. as soon as the MSM figure a way to give Obama credit for it. As I recall, all we heard was that the 51% turnout reflected a bitter, disillusioned country.

This is what victory looks like.

[Kaslin]

I gladly join in and say it’s Bush’s fault

[Badeye]

Harry Reid, white courtesy phone...paging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, white courtesy phone....

[dools007]

Btttt, we were told by the demrats and the media that George Bush and the American Army lost the Iraq war. Suely this can’t mean the demrats and media are lying through their teeth.

[y6162]

Iraq will celebrate W as George Washington.

Obamachev, not so much.

[naturalized]

Any student of history should be awed by the breathtaking speed with which this transformation is taking place.

[ScottinVA]

Let’s see now. When you vote in Iraq:
1. You must have proof of residence.
2. You must present that proof.
3. NO EARLY VOTING.
4. When you are finished voting you must dip your finger in ink to keep you from voting a second time.
5. One person, one vote

In America:

1. In Ohio, you can name your park bench as your residence
2. Only sometimes do you have to show ID
3. Your vote may be counted 3 or 4 times, or.. if you’re military, not at all.

Not that I would EVER want to live in Iraq, but.. who has the cleaner elections?

[kalee]

Sad isn’t it?

[oyez]

Iraqis are no longer bricks in a wall.

Americans are beginning to smell mortar mixing.