Sunnis Hail Iraqi Elections

This doesn't quite smell of quagmire does it. Sunnis, who make up about a third of the Iraqi population, think that the elections were a success. And yet, we're reminded not to get ahead of ourselves - there could be months of negotiations ahead as the government forms.

The big Sunni turnout means the new government will probably consist of a broader coalition than the current one between Shi'ite Islamists and Kurds, raising the possibility that a more diverse leadership could ease sectarian tensions.

Fresh efforts to stabilize Iraq after more than two years of suicide bombings, shootings and kidnappings will be set against the background of complex negotiations to form a new government.

Judging by past talks, it could take months of heated discussions that inflame sectarian passions as frustrated Iraqis demand security, better services and jobs.

Oh, the horror.

Oh, the humanity.

Does anyone actually study history anymore? The US went through fits and starts at its inception as well. Articles of Confederation anyone? We don't have that document as our foundation document do we? No, it was replaced by something called the US Constitution. [You have heard of the US Constitution, haven't you?] And as quickly as the Constitution was adopted amendments to the Constitution were required to satisfy the fears and hopes of many - the Bill of Rights. The first 10 Amendments. The first of 27 Amendments to the Constitution.

Here's my first suggestion to anyone covering events in Iraq. Read the Federalist Papers. And the Anti-Federalist Papers. Those two groups of papers and pamplets consist of a detailed and spirited discussion over how the country should be governed, the reasoning behind how separation of powers came into existence, whether there should be a strong executive, the role of Congress and the judiciary, and a host of issues that we now take for granted.

Then read the US Constitution and all of the amendments that followed. You'll note that the Constitution has been amended quite a few times since 1791. In fact, the most recent amendment was approved in 1992. More than 200 years later, and we're still approving amendments for the Constitution. I'd say that we're still trying to get it right.

So, if the Iraqis are full of dissenters and factions and argue loudly over the direction of the country and how the government should operate, consider that when reading the media reports, which provide none of the context and all of the biased opinion.

As PubliusPundit says, Mission Accomplished. But for Leftists and Bush Administration opponents, there is no good outcome. Mohammed at Iraq the Model notes that Iraqis are waking up from their historic elections and have realized that they have a say:

We saw clearly that the vast majority of Iraqis now believe even more in the political process and in democratic practices and I believe this will undermine the ideology of those who use arms as a way of expression.

In the first 48 hours after the election we noticed that statements coming from politicians are getting more relaxed and the old tense tone began to fade as most of them now feel safe that they will have a representation in the next parliament. Even if this representation doesn’t meet the ambitions they had in some cases but it gave them a sense of security, for example Salih al-Mutlaq who was known for his inflammatory statements like “if we don’t get our representation we will consider other options including armed resistance or leaving Iraq…” now changed his tone after realizing that his list is going to win several seats in the parliament so now he’s saying that he will stay to “defend the cause of those who gave him their votes from his place in the parliament.

The possibility of a Shi'a dominated government doesn't appear likely - as there are enough secular groups that the Shi'a will have an important, but not overwhelming role. Juan Cole thinks that the Shi'ites are going to dominate the election, particularly in the South. Good thing that Cole reminds folks that the Shi'a are the overwhelming majority of people living in the South of Iraq. It would make sense that they are dominating the vote there. If they weren't, I'd be questioning the results. Oh wait, he didn't mention that. Instead, he's focusing on the Shi'a vote as though it's a problem. Captain Ed predicts a secular coalition.

John Kerry, on the eve of the elections, kidded about the impeachment of President Bush. Still tone deaf after all these years. Apparently the Iraqis know the significance of these elections far better than Kerry ever could.

Posted to: Wizbang's Carnival of Trackbacks, Stop the ACLU [updated regularly]: Basil's Blog, Michelle Malkin notes that Kofi Annan said that the elections went well in Iraq. No thanks to him. No kidding. Point Five has trackbacks. Six Meat Buffet puts the Kerry impeachment talk into its proper context - buffoonery as performance art.