Follow BeltwayBlips on Twitter
More Free Elections in Iraq
Wizbang —
If you want a sign of just how successful we have been in Iraq, note the little attention this story is getting. Iraqis are electing new provincial councils in the first nationwide vote in four years, with the Sunni minority expected to turn out in strength. Sunnis largely boycotted the last ballot. Correspondents in Baghdad, where there has been a total ban on vehicles, said voting started slowly. The vote is seen as a test of Iraq's stability ahead of the next general election later this year. Security is tight and thousands of observers are monitoring the polls. Up to 15 ...
Iraqis get the hang of voting!
The Anchoress —
... Predictably - because this was effected by President Bush - the American press is barely mentioning it (last night I could find exactly one story about it, and that was by the BBC) but, but 15 million registered Iraqis ...
Round Two
Neptunus Lex —
Provincial elections.
“This is a great chance for us, a great day, to be able to vote freely without any pressure or interference,” a Baghdad voter identified as Hamid told Reuters news agency.
You’re welcome.
(Most of) Iraq Votes
Newshoggers.com —
... By Cernig
The majority of Iraq has voted in provincial elections today, with a very minimum of violence, as I had hoped. Which is great news but unsurprising given the massive security lockdown mounted for the event. Razorwire cordons, security checkpoints, closed airports and a total ban on vehicular traffic in cities - all just to have an election. Still, that it happened at all is encouraging, even if far from the shining victory the American right are hailing it as. I hate to rain on their victory parade but there are a ...
"A victory for all the Iraqis"
small dead animals —
"A victory for all the Iraqis" BBC: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has hailed a largely peaceful vote for new provincial councils across the country as a victory for all Iraqis. Voting was extended by one hour due to a strong turnout, including among Sunni Muslims who boycotted the last polls. The first nationwide vote in four years is being seen as a test of Iraq's stability ahead of a general election due later this year. At the new and improved ...
This Is What Victory Looks Like
RIGHTWINGSPARKLE —
Today President Obama made a brief statement regarding the provincial elections in Iraq today. The first in the post-Saddam era. Obama had this to say in part: ...
The Purple Finger Says it All
The Wide Awake Cafe —
... Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has hailed a largely peaceful vote for new provincial councils across the country as a victory for all Iraqis. ...
(Most of) Iraq Votes
Crooks and Liars —
The majority of Iraq has voted in provincial elections today, with a very minimum of violence, as I had hoped. Which is great news but unsurprising given the massive security lockdown mounted for the event. Razorwire cordons, security checkpoints, closed airports and a total ban on vehicular traffic in cities - all just to have an election. Still, that it happened at all is encouraging, even if far from the shining victory the American right are hailing it as. I hate to rain on their victory parade but there are a couple of flies in ...
Obama Congratulates United Nations On Successful Iraqi Vote
Gateway Pundit —
The Iraqi people held another historic election today. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki hailed the largely peaceful provincial vote today. It was another great success for the young democracy. A man shows his election ink stained finger after voting in Sinjar, 390 km northwest of Baghdad, January 31, 2009. (REUTERS/Erik de Castro) Barack Obama congratulated the United Nations on these peaceful elections. ABC News reported: US President Barack Obama has ...
Iraq Votes Peacefully and Properly
PoliGazette —
... Iraq’s provincial council elections went off smoothly under the watchful eye of the military, the BBC reports, and the country’s Sunni minority turned out in force this time after boycotting similar elections in 2005, losing political representation as a result. ...
Iraq holds peaceful provincial elections, but sectarian tensions remain
The Reaction —
... holding significant provincial elections... This important step forward should continue the process of Iraqis taking responsibility for their future." ********** In response to yesterday's relatively peaceful, if not entirely successful, provincial elections in Iraq, our friend Cernig provided typically insightful context and analysis: The majority of Iraq has voted in provincial elections today, with a very minimum of violence, ...
