Key Sunni tribe throws in the towel

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In Iraq, key Sunni party resigned to elections
By Nancy A. Youssef/Warren P. Strobel, Knight Ridder Newspapers

If ever there was a positive endorsement on the determination and unwavering dedication of the Cowboy President, it was offered up by the Iraqi Islamic Party themselves - inadvertently - with the below comment:

"The Americans are insisting these elections go on time," Ayad al Samaraee, deputy chairman of the Iraqi Islamic Party, told Knight Ridder. "Most probably, there will be no delay."

HAH! Take that, you nay-sayers! LOL See what happens when you stick to your guns?

Instead of trying to halt the elections, al Samaraee said the party would focus on giving Sunnis a voice in the new government and was now reaching out to other parties and encouraging them to work together.

"We are going to have to try to influence through talking with other groups," al Samaraee said. The victorious parties "should not look at it as a personal victory. It will be a responsibility to work for all of Iraq, not just a sect."

The Sunnis still refuse to re-enter candidates in the election, banking on appointments instead.

The official, Assistant Secretary of State Michael Kozak, said Sunnis could have a larger representation in a committee to draft Iraq's new constitution than they do in the elected Iraqi legislature and could be appointed to additional posts in government ministries.

Kozak said the election could be credible even without significant Sunni participation. "I would make that distinction between the credibility of the election and the desirability of Sunni participation - two different things," he said.

It's to be the first election of many, if Iraqis succeed in wresting control over their lives from terrorists and despots. It will not take the Sunnis long to realize that the only ones benefiting from their candidates' boycotts are the other parties.

In democracy, you ante in, or you don't play the game. And evidently, over 88% of the Iraqi population registered to vote is looking forward to the chance to do just that.