They Wish They Could Take It Back

A Clintonista and a Cuba/Nicaragua-ist on the staff of the Lefty Center for American Progress boldly made predictions on the Iraqi election. I bet they think they could take them back. Here are their main points:

Ongoing violence and confusion threaten to undermine the election's legitimacy. Most Iraqis do not even know where to go to vote .... [Apparently up to 73% got it right.]

The Bush administration has a big mess on its hands in Iraq. But if the election does not go well, it will not be surprising if the White House – instead of taking responsibility for its mistakes – tries to lay blame elsewhere. Potential scapegoats abound; beware of finger-pointing at the United Nations or our European allies for allegedly not doing their parts. [I wonder if any of them will point at us and say, "Good job, Uncle Sam!" Doubt it.]

Any victory by the Shia majority is bound to incite Sunni insurgents and Saddam loyalists to violence. Lack of participation by the Sunnis – who may be too intimidated and fearful to vote – will sow the seeds of unending strife. [Time will tell on this one, but the Left is compiling quite a record of underestimating both Bush and the Iraqis.]

It should come as no surprise that this administration, which has never been fond of planning, seems to have no idea for what comes after the potentially explosive election. [No explosion; no need for a back-up plan.]

The Iraqi election has cost Americans more than 1,400 lives and $220 billion. The Bush administration has already spent $144 billion prosecuting the war in Iraq and is about to ask taxpayers for another $80 billion . In the meantime, American soldiers – 35,000 of whom will deploy on the streets of Baghdad alone to protect voters – are killed or wounded every day. At this price, one might expect better results than a highly uncertain election amidst widespread instability – and no end in sight for our troops or taxpayers. [The end became a lot closer today, and more important, the reason why we are there should be evident to all.]