Bush Takes Credit for Afghan Election

[Rose Siding]

ST. LOUIS - President Bush (news - web sites) said Saturday that the voting in Afghanistan (news - web sites) was a remarkable achievement due in some part to his administration.

"A marvelous thing is happening in Afghanistan," Bush told a breakfast fund-raiser for local Republican candidates. "Freedom is powerful. Think about a society in which young girls couldn't go to school, and their mothers were whipped in the public square, and today they're holding a presidential election."

In his remarks, Bush mentioned nothing of political chaos that marred the elections.

Voting day passed relatively peacefully, but it ended in political turmoil as the 15 candidates opposing interim President Hamid Karzai threatened to boycott its result because of alleged widespread fraud. All 15 charged that many voters cast multiple ballots because supposedly indelible ink used to identify those who had voted was removed easily.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&ncid=693&e=1&u=/ap/20041009/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_afghanistan

[54anickel]

1. Oh that's rich! Another article pointing to that fantasyland he's in. n/t

[ladybugg33]

15. Talk about "dissing" our allies. This is one place where they are in

numbers and so is the UN. To not give credit where credit is due should rally piss off the allies...all of them who are in Afghanistan.

[Mika]

2. Yet, w* criticizes Kerry for not recognizing our allies

Their hypocrisy knows no bounds.



_________________________________

The GOP's Axis of evil

Universal health care

Universal education

Democracy

_________________________________

[fishnfla]

3. great headline

hope it stays up there, while the fraudulent voting gets all blowed up

[LynnTheDem]

4. ALL 15 candidates now BOYCOTTING election...3 US troops wounded...

...rockets spraying across Afghanistan...


YES BUSH, this is all DUE TO YOU.

10/09/04 Reuters: Three wounded in attack on Afghan army convoy
At least three members of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan were wounded in an attack on an Afghan army convoy south of Kabul province about two hours after voting began in a historic presidential election on Saturday, officials said.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP131713.htm

10/09/04 AP: Blast Rocks Polling Station in Afghanistan
A bomb exploded at a polling station in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif early Saturday, a Western official said, shattering what had been a relatively calm start to this nation's first-ever presidential election
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19173-2004Oct9.html

10/09/04 GeoTV: 24 Taliban killed in bombing
At least 24 suspected Taliban militants were killed on Saturday in a bombing raid by aircraft from the U.S.-led coalition in the central province of Uruzgan, the provincial governor said.
http://www.geo.tv/main_files/world.aspx?id=44373

10/09/04 Pakistantimes: Rockets Spray Across Afghanistan
Rockets rained on cities and military outposts across Afghanistan as the war-weary nation prepared to go to the polls in today's historic presidential elections.
http://pakistantimes.net/2004/10/09/top.htm

[LynnTheDem]

5. And more for bush to take credit for...

Three Afghan policemen die while escorting ballots
http://www.kctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2408497

Afghan Election in Turmoil (Fox News Channel!)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,134938,00.html

[struggle4progress]

13. U.S. Embasssy evacuates after rocket attacks

Published: Friday, October 8, 2004

By Daniel Cooney
The Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan - A rocket slammed into the Afghan capital near the U.S. Embassy and other diplomatic missions early Friday, a day before landmark elections. All U.S. embassy staff were ordered to briefly take cover in an underground bunker.

The rocket hit a parking lot near a media accreditation center for the elections, causing no damage or casualties, said Lt. Commander Ken MacKillop, a spokesman for international peacekeepers. <snip>

"We are alert and investigating," he said.

Heavily-armed U.S. and Afghan troops sealed off the roads leading to the diplomatic area. <snip>

http://www.dailygamecock.com/news/2004/10/08/News/U.Embasssy.Evacuates.After.Rocket.Attacks-747350.shtml


Evidently nothing says "Perfect time for elections" better than rocket fire ...

[fishnfla]

7. Crap! Whats going on over there?

The earlier press reports indicated it was a peaceful election day.

FWIW, in post #3, I was referring to the press coverage getting "blowed up" in light of Shrub's comments. I did not mean to indicate violence or give the impression of violence to score political points. My bad.

[Demeter]

6. Yup. Bet Bush Wishes His Election Would Go So Well

I have nothing against Karzai. The man is a hero, to go into a destabilized country and try to make it function. But that wasn't anything like a real election. The principles of one citizen-one vote, the avoidance of fraud, basic public safety and the prevention of undue influence were not demonstrated.

But the bad part is that Bush is trying to reduce our country to 3rd world, banana republic status. And he has succeeded in large part, thanks to his corporate buddies and the delusional macho Americans among us. May his success be temporary and soon rectified.

[Eye and Monkey]

11. 'fore we get all weepy-eyed over Karzai -

let's remember that he was just another oil corporation hack who was offered a scam - and he bit.

[saigon68]

21. The Mayor Of Kabul "WINS" rigged election.

I wonder how long his Black-water USA Mercenaries can protect his sorry ass from assassination.

As he scurries in his nightshirt, between his Concrete Bunker and his Armored Helicopter.

[annabanana]

8. good. let him...there's no credibility there

They won't believe the results over there, so it's as if it never happened. There has to be a consensus of credibility.

[Skittles]

9. he is officially delusional

pathetic

[oldtime dfl_er]

10. widespread fraud

why wouldn't he take credit for an election riddled with fraud, violence and rigged? It's exactly what he's used to in an election!

[struggle4progress]

12. Voting Over In Landmark Afghan Election

Oct 9, 2004 Kabul

Polling stations in Afghanistan have closed following voting in the country's first-ever direct presidential election, with all but one of the 16 candidates vowing to challenge the election due to irregularities. <snip>

Rivals to Afghan Transitional Administration Chairman Hamid Karzai complained that the election was flawed largely due to problems with the ink used to mark voters' fingers to prevent them from casting more than one ballot. All 15 of Karzai's challengers today called for a halt to voting after it became clear that in some cases the ink could be washed away easily. <snip>

http://www.politinfo.com/articles/article_2004_10_9_0607.html


Another job done by George ...

[Anarcho-Socialist]

14. I'm guessing this is what he has got in store for us on Nov 2nd?

:scared:

[truthisfreedom]

19. exactly. Dems get permanent thumb ink, repukes get washable so they can

vote often.

[moondust]

16. If only Bush had done the right things

the Afghanis could have been voting today in SAFE elections and the rest of the world would no longer have to fear Osama bin Laden. A competent President would have stayed the course until the job was done.

I suppose a 3-legged camel is better than no camel at all.

[daleo]

17. Sounds like an election Bush could take credit for

Almost all of the candidates boycotted it due to massive fraud. How long until the Afghanistan Supreme Court (or equivalent) gives Karzai the presidency?

[xxqqqzme]

18. U got your hand

stamped when U voted????WTF

Everybody knows a hand stamp let's U re-enter!!!!

[Disturbed]

20. Why is it always...

"suspected Taliban", "suspected al Zargawi terrorists" ? A lot of suspects sure get killed.

[Sinnerman]

22. Repubs Planning Similar Voter Fraud

I think these evil repukes are planning wide spread voter fraud. They will try and steal another Election. I hear from idiots that support President Liar that over 150,000 absentee ballots are being requested in heavy Repuke counties in Florida & Ohio.

[Deja Q]

24. I've received mailed absentee ads from the * campaign not once but

TWICE!

:wow:

That's a huge waste of money.

My area is popping up with a LOT more Kerry signs, so there is hope.

[Deja Q]

23. Uh, Saddam was a president too. 'President' does not equate 'freedom'

Right, George?

[demokatgurrl]

25. GOING JUST "SUPERBLY", I'NT IT? n/t

[Eye and Monkey]

26. * should take credit. His vote for Karzai was the only vote that counted.

Let me correct myself - I meant to say " * should take BLAME".