OREGON: Election set good example for world

[sled]

Election set good example for world

http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041210/OPINION/412100306/1049

RICHARD ZIELINSKI

December 10, 2004

However you feel about the result of the presidential election, there
is no question that with the opinion polls so close, it was an
exciting and engaging contest. The great interest that brought out so
many U.S. voters was shared by the rest of the world, which followed
the election with unprecedented vigor.

In the weeks leading up to Nov. 2, the presidential contest dominated
the headlines of newspapers worldwide. Citizens all over the globe
debated and analyzed what the outcome would mean for them.

The competing visions of the two candidates engaged the world on both
an intellectual and emotional level. Most international polls
(especially in Europe) found overwhelming support for Sen. John Kerry
and open hostility for our president.

With the world watching, it was lucky for us that the winner was
easily (unlike in 2000) determined, participation was high, and issues
of voter disenfranchisement and fraud were almost completely absent.
Both campaigns were well run by skilled teams of workers and supported
by thousands of energetic volunteers.

(SNIP)

Richard Zielinski of Salem is a researcher at the Progress and Freedom
Foundation in Washington, D.C. The views expressed are his own. He can
be reached at [e-mail]


CONTACT INFO: [e-mail]


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The Republicon "spin" has begun...utter nonsense...