Bush Declares Iraq Election a Success

When do you think this press release was written -- last week? Last month? Last year?

President Bush called Sunday's elections in Iraq a success and promised the United States will continue trying to prepare Iraqis to secure their own country.

"The world is hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East," Bush told reporters at the White House on Sunday, four hours after the polls closed. He did not take questions after his three-minute statement.
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Insurgents struck polling stations with a string of suicide bombings and mortar volleys, killing at least 44 people, including nine suicide bombers.

"Some Iraqis were killed while exercising their rights as citizens," Bush said.

I doubt he will lose much sleep on their account. He may, on the other had, be comfortable with the message it sends to certain Blue State populations.

And how bad would things have to be to persuade the White House not to declare the election a success?