We'll probably find the 70% number is overstated, probably settling in the 50% area and obviously under represented in the seriously intimidated/mad Sunni areas.
Still, it took a lot of guts to show up a polling booth in Iraq today. Regardless of which side of the debate you might be on, we can all acknowledge that.
This will be the first of three elections in the next 11 months and while there was violence, it appears to be far more muted than had been expected.
An interesting "mood" piece in USA Today, via the Associated Press which would pool coverage.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/20...aq-voters_x.htm
Also, Arab reactions:
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01...reax/index.html
Also, the first independent verification that turnout was higher than expected:
Carlos Valenzuela, the United Nations' chief election adviser in Iraq, told CNN that he believed that overall turnout was considerably "better than expected."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...-2005Jan30.html
Front page of the New York Times has a link to a photo gallery. One hilarious picture has a security guard IN a polling station waving an electronic metal detecting wand over a donkey pulling an old, crippled man. And a sobering picture of voters in line as blood runs in a gutter from casualties of a suicide attack.
You may have to register. Use the link: Photograpsh At the Polls on the mainpage.
http://www.nytimes.com//?oref=login
Cowperson