1- The election in Iraq is neither a victory nor a defeat for George W. Bush and the ideology he represents.

At no point prior to the start of this conflict was the establishment of democracy an explicitly stated goal of this administration. That is not why the Senate voted to authorize the use of force and it is not why the American people gave the war overwhelming initial support.

Democracy, if that does in fact come about, would only be a victory for the people of Iraq.

2- Why would a terrorist like Zarqawi or the insurgents attack on a day when the country is virtually shut down?

Zarqawi's goal is not as stated, to destroy democracy. His goal and Bin Laden's, is to create a worldwide conflict between the U.S. and the moderate Muslims. His statements and actions, especially using the Iraqi people, are only a means to an end.

3- Our continued occupation of Iraq is only just beginning.

Barring the Iraqi's telling us to get out of their country, this election is just an intermediary step on the path toward true democracy. It's going to be a long, arduous and unfortunately deadly process. Unless the Iraqi's demand our complete withdrawal the level of our forces will remain for years to come and will be followed by our continued presence through numerous extremely large military bases.

4- People of the liberal persuasion do not welcome or hope for failure in Iraq.

Liberals hope for the best for the people of Iraq. However we recognize that this conflict has brought additional crises to the doorstep of the Iraqi people who have suffered greatly within the past 25 years. We also have faced the reality that the people who have attacked us on 9/11 are literally getting away with murder. The reality of the situation is that the fundamental reasons that created those terrorists that attacked us on 9/11 still exist and the occupation of Iraq has only exacerbated this critical problem. The threat of terrorist attack on American soil is as great as it was the day before 9/11 and possibly even greater.

Liberals also recognize that the Iraqi's could have come to this point through their own means, with their own will and with their own hands.

5- The insurgency is not dead.

The insurgents are not stupid. They recognized that the elections were going to take place despite their violence. Contrary to popular belief, the insurgency is made up of predominately Sunni Iraqis which compromise 40% of the total population. They are now, through political means, stripped of power. That will only further the adoption of violence by the Sunnis. With the few trained and experienced terrorists that are moving into Iraq the insurgency will become more insidious and more lethal. Additionally the borders are still not sealed and will remain that way at the present troop levels.

Some Perspective:

The Iraqis have a long and dangerous road ahead. Their courage today should not be made into a political tool wielded by anyone within this country. Keep things within the context of what has occurred leading up to today:

- 100,000 Iraqi's have been killed
- 1400+ U.S. troops have been killed
- thousands have been maimed and injured for life

This is not a time for celebration. This may be a time for a little cautious optimism for the people of Iraq.