March 10, 2010
I am starting to lose count on the number of elections held in Iraq since its liberation from Saddam Hussein.
But Sunday's national election was clearly a milestone. Homicide bombers killed 40 and wounded more than 90, but the elections went ahead and the new government will most likely have to be a coalition since Prime Minister Malaki apparently did not receive enough votes to govern outright. Iraq has a parliamentary form of government.
The media are starting with great reluctance to give some of the credit for this to former President Bush, who was reviled when he ordered a surge against enemy forces. It worked. Vice President Biden thinks his administration should get the credit, but American and coalition forces deserve the credit. They bore the burden and they made the sacrifices. The Iraqi people owe them. We owe them.
And now while we hope and work toward full Iraqi independence, there is the little matter of Iran to deal with. And deal with Iran we must.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
