"better than expected" is a US media meme. Foreign news is not using it.

[gristy]

A couple simple searches and the gang is busted.

Here's the news.google search for Iraq AND elections AND "better than expected" (385 hits). First ten hits are from MSNBC, South Dakota, Sierra Times, North Dakota, Wash Post, California, Chicago Tribune, NY, UK, and Salaon. Nine out of ten U.S. media.

And here's the news.google search for Iraq AND elections ANDNOT "better than expected" (1420 hits). First ten hits are from China, Australia, S. Korea, UK, Russia, Russia, India, Israel, and UK. Ten out of ten non-U.S. media.

Both searches are limited to reports from yesterday or today.

[Ezlivin]

1. So exactly what the hell was expected?

Not that I expect any of our wussy media-types to actually press for an answer to that question.

With Bush all you can have is low-expectations.

[gristy]

2. Expected, yes. But evidence that is clear, convincing, and overwhelming?

I did not expect that.

[WildClarySage]

3. If I say I 'expected' 90% of Iraqis to vote today

can I claim to be disappointed?

WTF do expectations have to do with it?

[GetTheRightVote]

4. What a bad deal to fake out people in a country with an elections

The minority groups will always fight the Shities who they can not stand, so the is elections is just to fake everyone in the world out, and Iraq will fall into civil war when we eventually withdraw our troops this is why we will never with draw our troops unless the American People push hard enough for it our children will live out their days in Iraq. Something must be done now by us.

:kick: