Does anyone think the Saddam verdict will influence the elections?

[GOPBasher]

I hope not. But I'm always pessimistic. Anyone want to give me a lift?

[Kagemusha]

1. It'll affect Iraq, probably very badly.

I'm trying not to presume anything about affecting US elections... since a) can't do anything about it, b) Iraq matters more than just for US elections. That's something both sides would do well to remember, IMHO. Republicans really love to forget it though.

[GOPBasher]

3. That's true. n/t

[JeffR]

2. No. Pessimism is one thing, but to worry that this will have any effect

is pure craziness. Don't waste a second worrying about this.

[GOPBasher]

4. Always good to hear.

:-)

[Chipper Chat]

8. 2:30am eastern - Fox News is "breathlessy" waiting

for the verdict. The bimbos in their news room are biting their nails hoping a death penalty will give the republicans a big boost in those close elections.

[Bruichladdich]

25. If they build up a "new reality" of cheering Iraqis

most of the voters may be are dumb enough to believe this kind of shit.

The 1000 Iraqis around the statue of Saddam who cheered were actors, all it takes now to cheer are actors again.

This is what they told us:

"We can build up a new reality, and when you think you can manage it and react, we will create another reality..."

Its like a chess game against a think tank, this describes it best, I guess

[Richard Steele]

5. Nope. It's a foregone conclusion- last years news.

It's not gonna change any minds, or motivate anyone
who wasn't already going to vote.

Iraq is gonna go all to hell though, which
surely cannnot help the Warmonger Party.

And, what if it comes back "NOT guilty"? It could, you know.
That sure as HELL would not help the Repubs!

So, I see TWO posiible effects:
NONE, or a bump for the Dems.

[GOPBasher]

9. Good points. n/t

[DaveJ]

6. Yes, but negligibly, I hope

There is the dumbass vote that has to be considered. I don't think many of them will show up at the polls though.

[GOPBasher]

10. Yeah, I hope they don't. n/t

[NanceGreggs]

7. Any reminder of Iraq at this point ...

... is poison for the GOP. Foregone conclusion, too - this hasn't exactly been a nail-biter of a trial.

Relax.

[GOPBasher]

11. Thank you.

:-)

[G Hawes]

12. It won't have a big effect.

It will likely come on Sunday, as expected, and it will likely come as "hang him" as expected, so I don't see how it will have any real impact on the elections. The timing is probably thanks to ROve, but it's too little, too late, in my opinion. Bottom line: the republicans are going DOWN, and that's all that matters.

[anitar1]

13. No--he means nothing now.

I did see a recent pic of him in court--he has that sort of stunned look that says --how did this happen? Reality has set in. No one in the U.S. cares about him.

[Quixote1818]

14. Their is expected to be violence no matter which way it goes.

No matter what happens it will likely hurt the GOP.

[G Hawes]

15. There is expected to be violence

on any given day.

I'm hoping for a cessation of violence as soon as Democratic majorities are won on Tuesday night, though. Okay, it might take a few days for the news to trickle down and for the violence to stop as a result, but hopefully, not more than a few days.

[Ediacara]

16. Only if he's found "not guilty"

The the media will spend all day talking about how Bush's Kangaroo Court can't even come up with the pre-ordained verdict of guilty...

[aquart]

17. It might remind us that we have unpunished war criminals.

Which would not benefit the Republicans.

[w13rd0]

18. With Saddam's death...

...will Iraq become as peaceful as it was after the statues fell?

After his sons were killed?

After he was captured?

After Zarkawi <sp> was killed?

After the first elections?

After the second?

Can we declare victory and let the troops come home now?

Yeah...didn't think so...

[Pachamama]

19. I think when Iraq explodes (even more) into extreme violence over the verdicts (regardless of what

they are - someone/everyone will be upset) then I think that outrage and further explosion of violence will not play well in the US while people are already so disgusted with the situation and fiasco in Iraq.

[elocs]

20. I don't think so. The voters are getting too smart for this kind of "surprise".

If it results in increased violence in Iraq in the next view days it will only serve to highlight and reinforce what a mess the entire thing has become.

[sandnsea]

21. Where's Osama??

Only if we let them frame it. If we stick to so what - where's Osama - we should be fine.

[Warren Stupidity]

22. The timing is transparent and the violence will keep

Iraq front and center and continue to nationalize the election. More bad news for republican incumbants across the land. Another miscalculation by that genius rove. Perhaps he should attack Kerry again?

[radfringe]

23. it would if

Saddam was found innocent.

however, it's not big surprise that he was found guilty. He's been in prison and "dead or alive" any threat he posed was nullified. The verdict alone won't have an effect.

what will have an effect is the reaction of the Iraqi people and any increase/decrease of violence.

Saddam's verdict alone has the same end effect as bush standing on the USS Lincoln and declaring "mission accomplished". It means nothing if the iraq war isn't over. It means nothing if our troops are not home.

to use a variation of bush's words: Saddam's conviction is a comma in history of the Iraq war

[Bear down under]

24. The verdict is not the end of the story.

Saddam will appeal -- I understand appeal is automatic anyway -- so he is not going to be hanged before the election. It's still too early for the war party to crow "mission accomplished", though no doubt they'll try it.

[Philosoraptor]

26. I doubt it.

not in any significant way