To the Point
Iraq Election Special
Though early reports of a 72% turnout were over-stated, even some critics of America-s Iraq occupation are calling today-s voting an impressive achievement. Two dozen were killed and 70 others were wounded, but millions of people defied threats of mortal danger and went to the polls. President Bush calls that a -resounding success.- Will the Shiite majority want an Islamic theocracy? Will Sunnis, most of whom stayed home today, help write Iraq-s new constitution? Do the Kurds want to remain part of Iraq, or were they voting today for independence? Does an election that required massive security represent real democracy--or just the beginning? In this special edition of to the Point, we get a full spectrum of results from Baghdad, Kurdish northern Iraq and the city of Basra in the south.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenThough early reports of a 72% turnout were over-stated, even some critics of America-s Iraq occupation are calling today-s voting an impressive achievement. Two dozen were killed and 70 others were wounded, but millions of people defied threats of mortal danger and went to the polls. President Bush calls that a -resounding success.- Will the Shiite majority want an Islamic theocracy? Will Sunnis, most of whom stayed home today, help write Iraq-s new constitution? Do the Kurds want to remain part of Iraq, or were they voting today for independence? Does an election that required massive security represent real democracy--or just the beginning? In this special edition of to the Point, we get a full spectrum of results from Baghdad, Kurdish northern Iraq and the city of Basra in the south.