US lowers expectations for Iraq vote -- Reuters

Saul Hudson writes for Reuters:

"Unable to deliver on its lofty goal of bringing democracy to Iraq through the January 30 elections, the Bush administration is pressing a damage-control campaign to lower expectations for the vote.

"With fears for a low voter turnout among Sunni Arabs due to a boycott and insurgents' intimidation, the administration no longer touts the elections as a catalyst to spread democracy across the Arab world...

Instead, U.S. officials now emphasize the political process that will follow the vote.

"Almost two years after Operation Iraqi Freedom, a raging insurgency across mainly Sunni areas forced the White House this week to prepare the American public for elections it called 'less than perfect.'"

World News Article | Reuters.co.uk