I couldn't decide which Iraq topic to put this in, so I made a new one.

The polls are closed and estimates put turnout at around 75% of registered voters. Wouldn't it be nice to have 75% turnout here? ('04 was good, but we've been in steady decline since the 60's to around 50%..Don't even ask what it is for midterm elections). Some precincts in Baghdad were reporting 95% turnout of registered voters. I guess the key question will be what the actual number of voters will be...they haven't released that yet.

Terrorist attacks killed 35 people in attempts to disrupt voting.

I'm cautiously optimistic right now. The elections have exceeded my expectations for turnout and violence was much lower than I would have predicted.

Maybe Iraq actually wants to be free?

What was with the blue fingers? I caught the last part of a report and it showed everyone holding up a blue finger. Did they take their prints?

Naw, everyone who voted had to dip their finger in indelible ink to prevent them from voting more than once.

Gotcha

Kudos to the citizens of Iraq ... those who voted knew there was a potential - a strong potential - for violence ... and yet they turned out and cast their ballot. Wonderful! An example for us all!

And congratulations and thanks to our brave soldiers who have made this possible for the people of Iraq ... I believe the people of Iraq (and their children, and their children's children) will long remember our soldiers and their positive impact!