Another American Victory

Iraqis turn out in high numbers for election



Protesters view the elections as a threat to their cause

The US and our Iraqi allies have scored another important victory with an estimated voter turnout of about 70%. In the 2004 US Presidential elections 60% of eligible voters turned out to vote and that was the highest voter turnout since 1968!!!

The advancement of the political process was given an added boost by the high turnout of Sunni voters, a surefire sign that the insurgency is weakening. The New York Times reported the following;

“Last time, if you voted, you died,” said Abdul Jabbar Mahdi, a Sunni Arab who brought his wife and three children to a polling station in the ordinarily tense neighborhood of Adamiya. “God willing, this election will lead to peace.”

To provide security for the elections US troops conducted dozens of highly successful offensive operations. The offensives were given flashy military names like Operation Iron Hammer, Operation Skinner and Operation Thunder Blitz (you gotta love their imagination). Violence in Iraq was down to 35 armed attacks nationwide, half the daily average. This is a big improvement especially because the January elections saw 300 attacks.

The US racks up yet another victory with this election. Other successes include the removal of the Baathist regime, the capture of most Baathist war criminals, the eviction of the al-Mahdi militia from Najaf, the retaking of Fallujah, the first free elections in Iraqi history and voter approval of the Constitution in last October’s referendum.

I would like to leave you with a quote from Howard Dean that was recently made on San Antonio’s WOAI radio station, “(the) idea that we’re going to win the war in Iraq is an idea which is just plain wrong.” ...No matter what Mr. Dean may say, he is very unhappy about this election.