Iraq the Vote

An Iraqi holds up his ink-stained finger, showing he voted in Saturday's referendum.

In his weekly radio address, President Bush said:

By casting their ballots, the Iraqi people deal a severe blow to the terrorists and send a clear message to the world: Iraqis will decide the future of their country through peaceful elections, not violent insurgency.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's deeply divided Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds voted under heavy guard Saturday to decide the fate of a new constitution aimed at establishing democracy after more than two decades of Saddam Hussein's repressive rule.

A day that U.S. and Iraqi leaders feared could turn bloody turned out to be the most peaceful in months.

Insurgents attacked five of Baghdad's 1,200 polling stations with shootings and bombs, wounding seven voters. But the only deaths were those of three Iraqi soldiers in a roadside bomb far from a polling site, and there were no major attacks reported as U.S. and Iraqi forces clamped down with major security measures around balloting sites.

The United States hopes the constitution will be approved so Iraqis can form a permanent, representative government and secure the country so Washington can start withdrawing its 150,000 troops.

In the south, Shiite women in head-to-toe veils and men emerged from the poll stations flashing victory signs with fingers stained with purple ink, apparently responding in mass to the call by their top cleric to support the charter.

But in Sunni areas in Baghdad and several key heavily Sunni provinces, a surprisingly high turnout in some areas seemed to consist largely of Iraqis voting "no" because of fears the new constitution would mean setting in stone the Shiite domination they fear.

The Sunni Arab turnout was a dramatic change from January parliamentary election, which most Sunnis boycotted. Now they were eager to cast ballots.

...In the crucial northern city of Mosul, there was a constant flow of voters all day long into a kindergarten in a Sunni Arab neighborhood: men and women, dressed at their best in suits and ties or neatly pressed veils, many carrying young children in holiday clothes.

As polls closed at 5 p.m., many rounds of gunfire were heard in celebration and people were seen in some streets of Baghdad handing out sweets ahead of the end of the day's Ramadan fast about an hour later.

"A day that U.S. and Iraqi leaders feared could turn bloody turned out to be the most peaceful in months."

NO MAJOR ATTACKS WERE REPORTED. Voter turnout was high. People were exuberant.

That sounds like a successful display of democracy to me.

Of course, this in no way means that there will soon be peace in Iraq or that problems are solved; but it is a dramatic, positive step.

President Bush said:

This weekend's election is a critical step forward in Iraq's march toward democracy, and with each step the Iraqi people take, al Qaeda's vision for the region becomes more remote. As Iraqis prepared for this election, the world learned of a letter written by a leading terrorist explaining why Iraq is the central front in their war on civilization. Al Qaeda's number two leader, a man named Zawahiri, wrote to his chief deputy in Iraq, the terrorist Zarqawi. We intercepted this letter, and we have released it to the public. In it, Zawahiri lays out why al Qaeda views Iraq as "the place for the greatest battle" of our day.

...This letter shows that al Qaeda intends to make Iraq a terrorist haven and a staging ground for attacks against other nations, including the United States. The letter makes equally clear that the terrorists have a problem: Their campaign of murder and mayhem is turning the people against them. The letter warns Zarqawi that, "many of your Muslim admirers amongst the common folk are wondering about your attacks on the Shia." Even al Qaeda recognizes that with every random bombing and every funeral of a child, the Muslim world sees the terrorists for what they really are: murderers at war with the Iraqi people.

These terrorists are driven by an ideology that exploits Islam to serve a violent political vision: the establishment of a totalitarian empire that denies political and religious freedom. This is why the terrorists have fought to prevent and disrupt this weekend's elections. They understand that the act of voting is a rejection of them and their distorted vision of Islam. Simply by coming out to vote, the Iraqi people have shown that they want to live in freedom, and they will not accept a return to tyranny and terror.

The terrorists know their only chance for success is to break our will and force us to retreat. The al Qaeda letter points to Vietnam as a model. Zawahiri says: "The aftermath of the collapse of American power in Vietnam, and how they ran and left their agents, is noteworthy." Al Qaeda believes that America can be made to run again. They are gravely mistaken. America will not run, and we will not forget our responsibilities.

The President concludes:

In Iraq, we have brought down a murderous regime. We have stood by the Iraqi people through two elections, and we will stand by them until they have established a free nation that can govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself. When we do, Iraq will be an ally in the war on terror and a partner for peace and moderation in the Muslim world. And because America stood firm in this important fight, our children and grandchildren will be safer and more secure.

Note that Bush is clear about "his plan."

A short-term goal was to see to it that Saturday's election take place. That goal was achieved through the dedication and bravery of our men and women serving in Iraq, as well as through the commitment of the Iraqi people to self-determination.

The long-term goal of an Iraq capable of governing, sustaing, and defending itself has not yet been realized; but progress is being made, again thanks to the resolve of the administration and the tremendous sacrifices of our military and coalition partners.

I would post a link to the text of the Dems' response, delivered by Wesley Clark. Unfortunately, the DNC is slow to update their website.

Here are some snippets of Clark's remarks from CNN's account.

A leading Democrat, retired Gen. Wesley Clark, sent out a cautionary message about the larger context of what he says is expected to a "large turnout for the referendum: While it "seems to be an important step" for the country "let's not kid ourselves about the difficulties that lie ahead."

...He criticized the Bush administration's handling of the war in his remarks.

"Public confidence in President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq has sunk to an all-time low. An increasing number of Americans of all political persuasions are now calling for expedited withdrawal of U.S. forces.

"More and more Americans are angry. They are angry about the president's incompetence and his general unwillingness to acknowledge with some humility that he has made some terrible and tragic mistakes regarding the mission in Iraq."

...Clark said: "Mr. Bush is long overdue in providing a plan to achieve Iraqi military sufficiency, to build domestic political consensus inside Iraq around a new government, to achieve regional political stability around Iraq, and to finally achieve an efficient reconstruction effort in Iraq.

He said "basic questions" must be asked about troop levels, politics, economic recovery, and regional diplomacy.

"The Sunni minority is isolated, fatalistic, and increasingly anti-American. Many of the Iraqi forces we are training are able to fight with US leadership and support, but their real loyalty is in doubt. Militia forces are strong, they're well organized and, in fact, they are the ultimate arbiters in Iraq. They are preparing to settle factional disputes by force."

He said there is "a long way to go before victory."

"Staying the course is not a strategy, it is just a slogan. What we need to do is change the course and put in place a real strategy that will not only bring us success in Iraq, but will restore to the United States of America the moral authority we've lost through our missteps over the past three years."

Blah. Blah. Blah.

Clark regurgitates the same old, same old from his FAILED bid for the Dem presidential nomination, as well as Kerry's lines from his FAILED presidential campaign.

First, Bush says there IS a long way to go.

Second, there IS a strategy--to continue operations which eventually will allow Iraqis to govern and sustain their evolving nation.

That's not a slogan.

What does Clark want? Does he want the minute details on daily assignments of troops?

Clark says that Americans need answers about "troop levels, politics, economic recovery, and regional diplomacy."

I don't understand the Dems' problem. It's not difficult to find answers.

It's also not difficult to find first-hand accounts straight out of Iraq.

The American Legion website offers Letters to America from the Front.

Excerpt of a letter from Adam R. Bock

Just to give an update on this deployment: things have gone wonderful for me over here. I have flown over 50 combat missions; successfully lead a platoon of 68 soldiers through a combat rotation, and best of all I got to see Dad's installation in Hawaii. Despite the fact that I have been over here, 2005 has been a great year.

Leaving here will be a wonderful feeling; however, it is great to know that I have been a part of the future for the Iraqi people. They have an amazing culture; they are supportive, polite and respectful to all of the Americans serving here. It is truly the actions of a few that have destroyed the image of the whole. I have met many locals and they always show a smile and sense of gratitude to all of the soldiers and their sacrifices.

I would be lying if I didn't feel a sense of sacrifice myself. I have missed so many wonderful opportunities over the last year. While I wish that I had been able to serve a larger role in Dad's Campaign, spend the last 300 nights with my wife, spent the 4th of July rafting the rapids of Colorado with the O'Hara family, and watching Dominique grow up to become the wonderful young lady that she is; I don't feel any regret for the choice that I have made and the service that I have given to this world. America is making a difference here in the Middle East, and I pray that we continue to guide and mentor the world so that they can all share the freedoms that
we enjoy.

Is Adam describing what Clark refers to as "missteps over the past three years"?

It doesn't sound like Adam believes that America has lost "moral authority" through the work that he has done and the sacrifices he has made for his country.

Without question, there is a gaping disconnect between the Dems' depiction of what has happened in Iraq since U.S. military action began in March of 2003, and reality.

This weekend, Clark and his fellow Dems are in the uncomfortable position of having to gloss over the successful Iraqi election and focus on doom and gloom.

For all of Clark's accusations, he offers no specific plans or solutions, just criticism.

If that's all that the Dems have to offer the American people, that's not a winning strategy.

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UPDATE:

Transcript of Clark's remarks