The insurgents had months to prepare for this election. The all knew how important it was. Yet, by all reports so far, they failed in their nefarious mission.

I´m not sure, if they really failed their mission. It depends on what you think their mission was. They knew exactley that it wouldn´t be possible to kill every voter. So their tactic was mainly one of intimidating voters in order to keep them away from the ballot boxes.
All they need is a low voter turnout in order to able to claim that the elected president lacks legitimacy.
So, we have to wait until the final numbers are released. I, for one, wouldn´t mind if the numbers for the turnout were manipulated this time in order to show a high turnout and thus blow a strike to the insurgents morale. It would be just a fair way to compensate the terrorists efforts to prevent democracy.
But maybe that is not even necessary because the Iraqis desire to vote may be bigger than their fear of the terrorists.

I'm so proud that people were able to vote after 50 years of despotic rule. Nevermind the fact that Hussein was a U.S. backed leader. I don't agree with the reasoning behind this war, (I think we should be in Northern Pakistan right now) but I'm proud of this positive outcome. I don't agree with the U.S.'s choice in who to back (he's a former Hussein loyalist and hit man), but I'm down with democracy and, again, I agree Dave, it felt great to wake up to democracy in action this morning. God bless America. Chris

The way I know, with certainy, that the Iraqi elections were a historic success is that John Kerry says that they were not. Kerry says that this is not the real test of success and that the Iraqis have no chance of making it without some magic international community "coming together".

That's how I know it was a truly great day for Iraq and America.

What great news! Yeah, baby, yeah!

I love the MyWay sub-headline: "Festive Voting." Yessss! Spirited crowds. Clapping. Cheering. Lines of veiled women. Chocolates. Festive juice drinks. They turned out in the zillions.

Gonna be a lot of disappointed Donks.

And too bad the MSM will have forgotten about the wonderful story by, uh, say, Monday evening.

Who's this "John Kerry" you speak of?

Dave, I think your analysis of the lack of a meaningful attempt to disrupt election day by the terrorists is spot on. I think if the MSM ever published some meaningful analysis of attacts and casualties I think you'd see a dramatic down turn since the Battle of Fallujah. The jig is up Z-Man!

Kerry, you know, that horse-ass-faced turd-spitter who's been flatulating out his pie hole all week about the Iraqi elections.

He just knew things were going to go badly, you see. Smart. That way, he set himself up to ride the top of the wave of anti-Bush criticism when things went, you know, badly... which... they did not... you know, if they ... er, had gone badly, that is. As it were.

Vote: It's like Beano to Kerry.

John Kerry, I believe we should finally stop overhyping *you*.

Right on Dave.

Hmmm...I vaguely remember the name....No..that's John kennedy I remember.......Kerry.....Kerry.....Just doesnt ring any bells. Was he ever relevant?

Speaking of Tet, I'm reminded that today is the 36th anniversary of the beginning of the Tet Offensive.

For once, the irony is welcome.

Cheers,
Dave at Garfield Ridge