Iraqi Vote Turnout–with ink on their fingers
It appears the 60 to 70 percent voter turnout projections I quoted in last week’s column were based on solid polling data. TV and wire servies are reporting a “preliminary” turnout of 72 percent. I was on Hugh Hewitt’s radio program Friday and said that I am praying for patience . It will take 24 to 72 hours to get firm turnout figures and a more detailed statistical assessment of who voted and where. I suspect it will take at least a month for the new Iraqi parties to “coalesce” as organizations and coalitions.
I heard a report that Iraqis who voted have ink on their fingers and a reporter in Baghdad saw a group of voters showing off their ink-stains. That’s an identifying mark — one that almost literally shoves a finger in the eye of terror.
UPDATE: Thanks for the Instapundit link. The updated www.austinbay.net home page has a montage of photos from my tour of duty in Iraq. The first photo is Saddam’s “Water Palace” (Al Faw), which is near Baghdad International Airport. It serves as headquarters for Multinational Corps Iraq (MNC-I).
UPDATE 2: I’ve received several long emails from friends in Baghdad–they are all encouraging. Today the “Arab street” finally got a chance to speak. No, I won’t put the emails up because they were personal. However, one included a clip from a US Embassy report on vote percentages that I can pass along. This is a common sense warning, folks. I know, the tv cable news crowd has no patience, but patience is a must. As I mentioned earlier today, I said on Hugh Hewitt’s show Friday that it will take two to three days to get a reliable figure on voter turnout. That still strikes me as reasonable. The quote:
“II. Turnout
While reports of good voter turnout continued throughout the day, the 72% turnout announced at the second Election Day news conference by the IECI are based on anecdotal reports coming from the field and reflect enthusiasm to share positive news related to the election. It will take some time before IECI can release more reliable turnout figures. ”
UPDATE 3: Belgravia Dispatch simply nails Juan Cole on the Iraqi elections.
UPDATE 4: Instapundit has this Associated Press clip up. According to the AP the rest of the Arab world is watching the Iraqi elections with fascination. Iraq is more than an experiment in democracy –it is regional revolution by information and political osmosis.
I am so excited for the Iraqi people. I too noticed on television, the Iraqis holding up their fingers, in defiance and jubilation! I linked to your post, but I couldn’t use the trackback. Thanks for all your writings, I truly enjoy them.
Comment by Kathianne — 1/30/2005 @ 12:03 pm
Ditto on Kathianne’s comments! I, too, am rejoicing with the Iraqis. These people are our brothers and sisters here in America. We, too, were once immigrants (our forefathers) coming to a land of freedom and coming to this land for freedom. We should be proud that now our country is playing a primary role in bringing freedom to other lands. It is a day for all of us to be proud. In the spirit of Freedom, I am doing as the little girl in Montana is encouraging others to do, and that is to paint my index finger blue as a symbol of solidarity with the Iraqis in their quest for freedom. Republicans, Democrats and Independents — let’s leave our partisanship at the door and unite in being very, very happy for the new beginning of these people far away! Beth Barnat
Comment by Beth Barnat — 1/30/2005 @ 9:15 pm
The Iraqi was a great day for Democracy and freedom around the world. And, for the Kennedys and Coles of the world, either they don’t get it or they are so wedded to their little ideologies that their capacity for moral clarity no longer exists.
Comment by Michael Cadrecha — 1/31/2005 @ 2:33 pm
I was struck by how so many of the national media correspondents unflaggingly reminded viewers that it’s early days yet, and the vote percantages were just preliminary. Warning us not to get our hopes up. The Bush vision is turning the middle east upside down. “stay the course!”
Comment by Scott Sterling — 1/31/2005 @ 8:08 pm
Wonderful work. I enjoyed read your site a lot.
business grants
Comment by business grants — 4/12/2005 @ 1:35 pm
WOW!!!! This is a great website.
business grants
Comment by business grants — 4/21/2005 @ 1:26 am
christmas stockings… christmas gifts is a christmas gifts blog….
Trackback by christmas stockings — 11/20/2006 @ 1:57 am