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."
Even heard a comment that we can't comment on the turnout numbers because after all we all know about exit poll numbers.
The left is bitterly disappointed at this UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS.
another super turnout - just like Ukraine.
why do some Leftists find it so hard to understand that most people are like most people.
Nobody wants bloodsucking despots controlling their lives!
The bad news is that the ballots were discovered in King County and were cast for Dimwit Gregoire to be Governor of Washington. ;-)
WAY TO GO IRAQIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Course the US has 110% turnout in some democrat districts.
But in my precinct we usually run about 10-20% turnout. And no one is even shooting at them. Sad isn't it?
Didn't surprise me at all. I figured it to be even higher.
Sounds like a divorce court issue.
72 percent?
It sure is nice that the number 72 will now mean something in the Arab world other than...you know...
They are just pissed because Bush will come out as the clear victor in this along with the fact that the truth has come to light...Iraqi people want their freedom and independence. Also, the U.S. needs to adopt the ink policy if you ask me although methinks that would supress the voting numbers even further because Dem's won't be able to use fraud like they love doing in places like PA,Wisc,and OH.
Once again, the press and the DemonRat Party have been caught hoping for and expecting disaster.
Once again, they lose.
So9
Rather and Jennings are in Iraq to report on the low turnout. Are they Pissed?
Good for the Iraqi citizens, not letting the terrorists scare them away from freedom. They should be proud of themselves.
lets clarify; many of whom had hoped that terrorists would succeed in sabotaging the U.S.- backed referendum.
how can that be?
u.s. media leftists "surprised"?
(/s)
WOO HOO!
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