Iraqi elections a success

The results are in, and in true democratic fashion no one ran away with the election. In a country with such diversity of culture and religious beliefs, it only makes sense that no one would be a clear winner meaning the three main groups Shiites, Kruds, and Sunnis will have to work together to get their fledgling democracy off the ground. BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Clergy-backed Shiites and independence-minded Kurds swept to victory in Iraq's landmark elections, propelling to power the groups that suffered the most under Saddam Hussein and forcing Sunni Arabs to the margins for the first time in modern history, according to final results released Sunday. But the Shiites' 48 percent of the vote is far short of the two-thirds majority needed to control the 275-member National Assembly. The results threw immediate focus on Iraqi leaders' backdoor dealmaking to create a new coalition government - possibly in an alliance with the Kurds - and on efforts to lure Sunnis into the fold and away from a bloody insurgency.... Just a thought here but since when is 48% ever been considered a "sweep to victory"? Dubya got what, 53% of the US vote and the MSM can't say "mandate" without putting a big fat question mark behind it. But now somehow 48% is a runaway sweep. ...The Shiite-dominated United Iraqi Alliance ticket received 4,075,295 votes, or about 48 percent of the total cast, officials said. The Kurdistan Alliance, a coalition of two main Kurdish parties, finished second with 2,175,551 votes, or 26 percent. And the Iraqi List headed by Allawi stood third with 1,168,943 votes, or nearly 14 percent.... This is perhaps an even more excellent view of a truly representative democracy than the US two party system. Everyone will be represented. But of course the Sunnis will complain: ...In contrast, many Sunni Arabs, who make up an estimated 20 percent of the population, stayed home on election day, either out of fear of violence or to support a boycott call by radical clerics opposed to the U.S. military. Overall, national turnout was about 60 percent, the commission said - but only 2 percent of the eligible voters cast ballots in Anbar province, the Sunni insurgent stronghold that includes Ramadi and Fallujah. Well the rest of your country seemed to make it OK. Next time get off your asses and you won't have as much to whine about. The "we boycotted but now that's it's over we protest because we won't be represented as much as we should be" argument really doesn't hold much water. There's no reason why Sunnis have to be the Ralph Nader party in Iraq; you're 20% of the population. Deal with it. Congrats to the Iraqis for braving the threat of violence and choosing to decide their own destiny. So who's next on our list... Iran?