Is the current president of Iraq the one the people elected?

Question

If not, why not? Is he the runner-up? Does anyone know the facts about this?

Answer 1

Technically, he is the elected president. But not in the democratic sense we mean in America--or any real democracy.

Here's why:
1) the candidates were selected ("approved") by the bush regime--and those who wern't were not allowed to run.
2)The rules for the "election" were set up by the Bush people to preclude any opposition candidate from having a real chance of winning.
3) For Iraqis (however sincere individually) voting has--for their entire lives--meant going to the polls and "voting" for what those in power (Saddam) ordered--or else. Dissent was not permitted. With that paradigm, the open demand by the Bush regime that their candidates be chosen would have been--and was--interpreted in the same way--an order, not an endorsement.

In short--the "election" was a farce.

Answer 2

In much the same way Bush, is ..take that for what it means.

Answer 3

If it was I think the people would be happy about it, don't you think?