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."
On CBS radio rather said at 930 iraq time that voter turnout was very low i was watching fox news and people were lined up outside polling places !
Dan is stuck in hate George Bush mode as are other liberal America haters !
Ditto to your thoughts on our troops, Bless them all.
They are heros!
Isn't it amazing how the MSMand the leftist elite hate it when the little people truely have a voice?
It's a large turnout. Iraq won't have to be renamed from Ihraq to Rutuba.
Hi Peach.
I think the number was lower then that, I believe...
I heard the total number of casualties at about 30, counting the bad guys.
What a wonderful success story huh? Stunning actually.
I think that the low number of attacks was the result of the "no cars" policy. It's hard to carry big bombs on foot, and strike and run raids become immeasureably harder when you can't run.
An odd coincidence...72...as if a sign by Allah perhaps. We need to pump this up more.
Oddly, I think ABC's headline has it right.
Very nice!
Hi, FBD. It was a stunning success. I think you're right about those numbers. What a great day.
You found some great pics for this thread. I approve.
Turner has that look on his face that says "I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for you meddling kids!"
You gotta love the subtleness of our heroes :)
LOL. Have you been over to the dark side? I just saw this photo at DU posted by someone with a total of two posts. I think the nick was Whatsthebeef.
What was Afghanistan's turnout?
That was heralded, even in the press, as a great success.
If it is comparable to this turnout, it shows the hypocrisy of the press.
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