Kerry Talks Down Iraq Election [Say Anything]

AP - "It is hard to say that something is legitimate when whole portions of the country can't vote and doesn't vote," Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said on NBC's "Meet The Press."

First of all, a "portion" of the country is the Sunni minority who Saddam Hussein pandered to during his regime. The only way they'd take part in this election is if Saddam were back on the ballot and the only alternative to casting a vote for him were to vote for torture and death. These people do not want free elections because they are quite aware that the rest of Iraq will likely vote in a leader who will not look kindly on the Sunni's and their actions under Hussein.

Second, there's this:

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The polls in Iraq have closed, ending the country's first open elections in more than 50 years and setting a course for what U.S. officials hope will be a long democratic future.

All around the country, Iraqis defied threats of violence and cast their votes. Iraq's Independent Electoral Commission initially estimated that 72 percent of the country's eligible voters had turned out to cast their ballots but an official later said an estimated eight million Iraqis — or 60 percent of eligible voters — turned out to vote.

Seventy-two percent voter turn out? That's better than America's voter turn out.

One has to wonder, is Senator Kerry really concerned about Iraq's election or are he and the people echoing his sentiments just bitter about the fact that President Bush and his administration will likely, and justly, be credited with this victory?

(via Blogs for Bush)

[Cross-posted at Say Anything]