"Step by Step" - a quick report from Iraq

A contact in Iraq sent along the following report this morning:

The election atmosphere is exciting. People are hopeful. There are rumors of voter intimidation. Elections materials (eg posters) are being destroyed or vandalized by various opponents. Pickup trucks with loud speakers drive in neighborhoods asking people to vote for specific slates of candidates.

It's fascinating to watch Iraqi politicians debate on TV in front of a live audience, taking questions from the moderator and the audience. Regular people debate each other about the credibility of various politicians.

These are important steps in democracy building. As [an acquaintance] says in his broken English and using 1 of 3 phrases he knows, "step by step."

Comments

[Observer]

Sounds like a real "quagmire."

[artboy]

Howard Dean's comments all make perfect sense now!

[EddieP]

Howard Dean is right. We can't win there, we've already won. Of course Iran and Syria are just peaceful places that want to help the Iraqis get enlightened. No threat from Almondjeans, unless you're Israel. Does anyone think we'll let Iran bully Israel around? I love the Bush Doctrine.

[Oldcrow]

The DEMS are trying to downplay the elections already, if you saw the Pre-Butt all from Ried the election does not matter changing the constitution in four months or less is what matters. What a bunch of putz's.