Iraqi Elections
Dean
It's interesting to see the early exit polling in Iraq. Apparently John Kerry has developed a decisive lead...
Okay just kidding. Still it's impressive. The press is also predictable: thousands of polling stations opened, millions people voting, and the only front page news from most sources online is the handful of violent incidents.
I'm not even going to go to the sickening places where I know they'll already be gloating over the violence. Some soi-disant "progressives" make me want to barf, they really do.
So far the word is that every group but the Sunnis is turning out in big big numbers. No surprise. Much still relies on the Sunnis, but not in my view as much as some think; the Shia Arabs and the Kurds will have much opportunity after the election to reach out to the Sunnis and prove that they're willing to give them a fair shake. Of course they may not do that, but I sense most of them realize they're better off hanging together.
Powerline is doing some good Iraqi election roundup work by the way. See for example Early Returns and The Cause For Which Fern Holland Died. Then just hit the top of their page, I'm sure they'll have more.
* Update * Also, don't miss this moving photo. And, PoliBlogger has a roundup of election links from all over.
I know politically it will be fodder for criticising the results' legitimacy - but honestly, choosing not to vote is part of the process too, and if they choose not to, then WTF. I support their freedom of choice.
Seems to me the last time Iraqis voted, they didn't have the choice not to.
The report that really got to me was by Shepard Smith when he reported that the Abu Grav polling station was closed down and moved 13 miles away.
What made it amazing was that he reported that thousands were making the trek on foot to vote at the new polling station. Of course because of the tight security they cannot drive.