Iraq's Remarkable Election - The strategic benefits of an emerging Middle East democracy.

Wall Street Journal ^ | MARCH 9, 2010 | * REVIEW & OUTLOOK

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

It takes a cynical mind not to share in the achievement of Iraq's national elections. Bombs and missiles, al Qaeda threats and war fatigue failed to deter millions of Iraqis of all sects and regions from exercising a right that is rare in the Arab world. Even the U.N.'s man in Baghdad called the vote "a triumph."

On Sunday, 61% of eligible voters came out in Anbar Province, a former extremist stronghold that includes the towns of Fallujah and Ramadi. In the last national elections five years ago, 3,375 people—or 2%—voted in Anbar. The other Sunni-dominated provinces that boycotted in 2005 saw similar numbers: over 70% turnout in Diyala and Salaheddin and 67% in Nineveh, all higher than the national average of 62%. American Presidential elections rarely have such turnout.

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Associated Press

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki casts his vote for the parliamentary election in the Green Zone of Baghdad, Iraq.

Al Qaeda as well as Sunni and Shiiite extremist groups were defeated militarily by the surge, and this election continues the trend toward settling disputes through politics, not bombs. The remaining terrorists, far weaker and organized in smaller cells, tried hard to deter voting. Thirty-eight people died in various mortar, rocket and bomb attacks on election day. But the attackers had trouble getting near voting stations, and security in Baghdad and elsewhere was good and Iraqis brushed off these threats.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

And the mortar attacks were really faked up bottle bombs put in trash cans....see this related thread:

Iraq poll turnout tops 60 per cent despite attacks

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[warpsmith]

Hmm... historic election, and not a single mention of Bush. Oh, but props to Obama. Typical.

[ETL]

Thank goodness for president hmmm hmmm hmmmm Obama, for without which NONE of this would have been possible!!! (idiot Biden is now trying to give Obama credit for the successes in Iraq, despite Obama’s boasting that he was one of a few who was against the war from the start)

[brushcop]

For all the anti-Bush FReepers, you’d be wise to give credit on how this all came about. For his shortcomings, Pres. Bush NEVER let the troops down, he ALONE stood strong with them against all the lies and flak for years. He upgraded their pay, their medical benefits, their equipment, their training and their SUCCESS.

Don’t think the troops during his administration don’t remember that either. Now look what we have, unmitigated hell in all realms, foreign policy, domestic policy, the list is endless with this Marxist-in-Chief.

[Wpin]

Thank you President Bush. Not many can say they liberated 27 million people...with that simple distinction you are one of the greatest leaders in world history. Your unflinching stance on the right to life also transcends those who would desire to be considered great leaders.

I think President Bush may go down in history as one of the last great American Presidents.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

Kind Sir I agree with you that President Bush will ultimately be recognized as one of the great Presidents. With Iraq’s success it is very possible that the region may be turned away from it’s past.....then again it may dissolve into the chaos of the past. Only time will tell.

[dixjea]

It was all in Bush’s plan, all in the plan.

[Marine_Uncle]

It sure looks like this election process was mostly successful . GWB and his administration can take a bow and a applause.

[crazydad]

Bushes Fault???