We really won't know for a week or so what the real turnout was, if we ever do. I agree that the Bush PR machine has been gearing up for this election for weeks and the scripts have been carefully combed. However, THEY really can't force people to vote, and it does take courage to place your life on the line to do so.

So if the turnout were actually 60% or so, I think it would be a resounding victory for the people of Iraq in itself. It's not exactly democracy but it's a lot closer to democracy than anything else the Iraqi people have experienced, at least since the 1950's when we staged our last coup.

The conservative media is certainly celebrating, It will be very embarrassing if the actual turnout figures are more like 40%. But some will say we'll never know the actual figures.

And there's a lot more work to be done in Iraq. I do think the militants made a strategic mistake by threatening prospective voters. They've isolated themselves even further from their base, with the possible exception of die-hard Sunni.

Charley Noble