I realize bush and the majority of rightwingnuts don't understand this, but it seems neither do many progressives.
The "elections" in Iraq ARE NOT for electing a leader of Iraq. They are to select a GROUP (National Assembly) who will select a GROUP of 3 who will select a President and executive staff;
the IRAQI PEOPLE DO NOT GET TO VOTE FOR A PRESIDENT THEMSELVES.As often as BUSH insists this is an election for an Iraqi President, he's either STUPID or he's just LYING;
"confident when people realize that there's a chance to vote on a President, they will participate."NO bush, they are NOT voting on a President. One would think the POTUS and Chief Occupier would know that already.
Iraqis will be voting for the core of a powerful transitional legislature -- the 237-member National Assembly. According to the current, temporary constitution of Iraq, the National Assembly's "principal mission shall be to legislate and exercise oversight over the work of the executive authority."
It is this National Assembly -- not the Iraqi people -- that will determine who serves in the executive branch, electing Iraq's president and two deputies of state. Collectively, these three officials form the state’s presidential council, and must unanimously select Iraq's next prime minister, Iyad Allawi’s successor.
Links:Jan. Elections Remain Misunderstood in U.S.
http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=1267IRC :: Iraqi Elections 2005
http://www.irc-co.com/elections/en/faq.aspSo what we have are "free elections" for half the population in Iraq in a country under occupation by a foreign army, under martial law, voting for unknown candidates at unknown polling stations during a raging war for a group who will select a group who will select a President and executive staff."Democracy". bush-style.