Another Blow to al-Qaeda: Iraqi Elections Peaceful

Peaceful polling in Mesopotamia:

BAGHDAD — Iraqis passed through security checkpoints and razor-wire cordons to vote Saturday in provincial elections that are considered a crucial test of the nation's stability as U.S. officials consider the pace of troop withdrawals. There were no reports of major violence.

Polls closed at 6 p.m. (10 a.m. EST) on Saturday — an hour later than planned — after millions of voters cast ballots for influential regional councils around most of Iraq.

Officials said counting would begin Sunday with preliminary results not expected before Tuesday.

There was a shooting and some sporadic violence but no more than Detroit on a typical election day.

This is a severe rebuke to al-Qaeda as free and peaceful elections are the antithesis of what AQ wants, They thrive on chaos and slither in to fill voids. Elections fill voids and thus keep the jihadi's marginalized.

A good day all around for supporters of democracy and freedom. I guess the new President is not among them. Don't expect to read about this in tomorrow's papers.