Posted on 01/30/2005 7:57:33 AM PST by kattracks
Preliminary reports that turnout in Sunday's Iraq election has topped 70 percent have surprised American reporters, many of whom had predicted that terrorists would succeed in sabotaging the U.S.- backed referendum."I have to say, it's going a lot better than I thought it would," Rod Nordland, Newsweek's Baghdad bureau chief, said Sunday as the numbers came in. "The attacks by the insurgents, while they're numerous, haven't reached that kind of critical threshold where it really kept everybody home," he told the Fox News Channel.
With an hour left to go before the polls in Iraq close, Reuters reported that turnout had reached 72 percent nationwide. Election officials in Shiite areas say turnout there may top 90 percent.
Initial voter response was slow as the polls opened late Saturday U.S. time, but increased dramatically after threats of spectacular attacks failed to materialize. Of 5300 polling stations, only 15 reported attacks. 29 people were killed, including five police officers.
"Once it seemed like the worst was over, [voters] came out in very large numbers," Nordland said. While Sunni turnout was lower, "it was a lot better than would have been expected."
I heard no "progressive" predict anything but a low turnout. Kerry is a facile, habitual, and easily provable liar.
And, it's quite nice of him to demonstrate to thinking people the immense difference between he and President Dubya.
There was a guy putting down the election. It didn't accomplish anything, the insurgency isn't going away, blah, blah, blah. The election was a great success and they can't stand it.
Harrigan looked a bit shell shocked to me.
In some ways, he was right, because although "only" 29 people died, if you read down in the news stories, at least half a dozen bombs/cars etc were stopped...
And although women and children wouldn't stop Alquada--many are outsiders, for example the Mosul bomber was Saudi--, the average young Iraqi man who got excited and joined the "insurgency" for personal reasons (i.e. because they were unemployed and thought it was the right thing to do) probably wouldn't kill women and children...especially since many who voted might be relatives...
Delicious, isn't it? :o)
I still think my assessment of Harrigan's attitude may be a good explanation.
"But over there, knee deep in sh** and stank and hate and ignorance...."
How can anybody be chipper there?
I hear the Peter Jerkins, Dan Blather, and Tom Brokejaw were all deeply saddened
I saw that exchange too, and found it disturbing...I wonder what got him so goosey.
They were mystery candidates BECAUSE they wouldn't give the MSMs the time of day.
Isn't it amazing, the people (voters) of Iraq have more courage than the voters of Spain. They are sitting right on the powder keg and they went out and voted, can't say thay for the people (voters) of Spain.
Thousands of Iraqis make a trip on foot to the town of Al Alamara, Iraq, watched by British troops, to place their votes. (AP/Wide World Photos)
Eleanor Clift saying Iraq is unwinnable and we can maybe hope for a Vietnam type exit at best.
Pat Buchanan says he can't understand why a Sunni would vote.
Luckily Tony Blankley is there to say it's all a liberal fantasy.
YES!!!!!!
Way to go Iraqis!!!!!
Prove to the liberals once and for all that the promise of freedom is stronger than the fear of living in . . . . . . fear!!!
If the Pope and 90% of the Bishops begged Catholics to vote, would they turn out at 90% rates?
Maybe if they were locked in a bitter war with terrorist Protestants, they would ;-)
FRMail
Gives them just that little bit extra to get the point across
Iraqi turnout DOWN 28% from previous 100% under Saddam H. /s
Oh, and as an aside. What about the post-election appearances? Do you think that Iraqis who didn't vote might be be dying their own fingers purple?
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