A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
|
|
|
A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
|
January 29, 2005Historic day: January 30, 2005Usually, interested Americans watch a foreign election wondering only "who will win?" and/or "will it be fair?" That is not at all the case in Iraq. We don't even really know who the candidates are, but we do know that -- regardless of the inevitable irregularities and likely attempts at fraud -- the Shiites are going to "win" in the sense that their representatives will get a majority of the votes. The story in this election will be how many Iraqis are willing to defy the Sunni thugs for the sake of their own futures as well as future generations, and how many of those people are killed as a result. In that sense, I don't think that there has been an election remotely like this one in my lifetime. I intend to bifurcate my evaluation of the news from Sunday into two categories: (1) what happened in the Sunni Triangle?; and (2) what happened in the rest of the country? The establishment of democracy anywhere requires time, and this election is only the first step for Iraq. After decades of repression in any country, a qualified success in the first democratic elections thereafter is probably the most that can be reasonably hoped for under the best of circumstances and, obviously, the best of circumstances do not exist in Iraq right now. Please use this thread to express any thoughts you have regarding the good, the bad and/or the ugly in connection with this weekend's elections in Iraq. Posted by Todd Pearson at January 29, 2005 12:08 AMComments
I like your point about this election just being the beginning. Assuming it goes of alright and produces a legit government, there are still a lot of challenges ahead. The first one that comes to my mind is the ratification of the constitution next October. If there is even the smallest of sense that the government that gets elected is illegitimate that ratification will be at least as contested as the upcoming election. In my opinion, people who honestly believe that Bush will be able to decrease troop levels in the coming months are not being honest with themselves. Posted by: Nameless Soldier at January 29, 2005 06:19 PMCall me sentimental but I was very touched by the stories of Iraqis voting in America. During our last national election I was so impressed and energized by the turnout; it made all the rancor worth it. With that experience fresh in my mind, I can't imagine the feeling of an Iraqi voting for his/her first time. Yes, I know it could all fail but I don't see how you can't be excited by a people experiencing a democratic election for the first time. Posted by: Chris at January 29, 2005 06:24 PMIf the Iraqis manage a higher turnout of eligible voters than we do in America, I will consider it a rousing vindication of freedom and democracy. From any angle, and by any interpretation. Out-of-the-blue Predictions with no rational basis--Sistani's group will come out the biggest winners, but the Kurds will pull a hugely disporportionate share of the win. Al-Sadr's people will get minimal candidates elected, a slap at the Iranian mullahs. Allawi's folks will pick up a portion, but not as much as expected. Posted by: Tully at January 29, 2005 06:48 PM |
Archives
March 2006
February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003
Recent Entries
Dubai Out
Why So Long Between Democracies? Round One, Centrism Rock Lobster? Blackwell Releases "Worst-Treated" List "IRV" used in Burl., VT for mayor election. Great idea! Random Thread Election 2006: Round One A Proper Multiculturalism Bush proposes line item veto act - what's changed?
|
