Troops follow Election Day from Iraq

[unhappycamper]

Troops follow Election Day from Iraq
By Denis D. Gray - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Nov 5, 2008 1:09:20 EST

MOSUL, Iraq — U.S. soldiers on the front lines tuned in Tuesday to CNN and the Internet to track the presidential election that will decide the future of their mission. But for many, the day was spent like so many others on patrols, repairing equipment and other mundane tasks of war.

Troops in the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan mailed in absentee ballots long ago — if they voted. So by the time election day arrived back home, there was nothing for them to do but await the results.

“We can’t stop doing what we have to do. We got to keep running,” said Maj. Gary Dangerfield of Chicago, spokesman for the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment based in the northern city of Mosul.

It was hard to tell, however, whether soldiers were pleased with the outcome of the race. Public affairs officers in Iraq turned down requests by The Associated Press and other news organizatiions to ask soldiers whether they supported Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. John McCain.

One soldier, Sgt. James Fowler, 27, of Fresno, California, volunteered that he voted for Obama but “I am outnumbered 10-to-one, especially among officers” and senior noncommissioned officers who support McCain.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_troopselection_110408/%2e