I’ve been out an about today and haven’t seen any television coverage of the Iraq election returns. From what I can garner from the major print media, though, turnout exceeded every reasonable expectation. That doesn’t mean that “democracy” is Iraq is necessarily a resounding success or that the insurgency is going to evaporate overnight. Still, so far so good.

Check out these New York Times headlines:

Violence Fails to Spoil a Party Atmosphere on Baghdad’s Streets
Basra: Early Calm, Then a Festive Stream of Voters
Mosul: Many Votes and Glitches for the Kurds
Najaf: Good Turnout in Shiites’ Holiest City
Bush Hails Iraq Vote as ‘a Resounding Success’
The Vote, and Democracy Itself, Leave Anxious Iraqis Divided

Amazing.