Bush or Kerry? In Baghdad, political passions run high

In a perfect reversal of US demographics, the Bush lovers tended to be more educated and clustered in cosmopolitan areas. Call them Red Iraqis. "Most of them were intellectuals," says Dulame. "US intellectuals, maybe most of them adopt Democratic values. But in Iraq, that's the reality."

While the urban elite may favor Bush, most average Iraqis are more like Ali Najem Maarouf. "Kerry said he would pull back the US Army, and this is a very good thing," says Mr. Maarouf, a street peddler. "We wish the day will come when we don't see these pigs in our streets."

There's an Arabic phrase - haki fadi, or "empty talk" - that is often used to sum up politicians' pronouncements. In Arab countries, where speeches are long and democracy is short, citizens are skeptical of promises. Most Iraqis believe Bush failed to keep his promises.

"After the war, for a short period, I supported Bush," says Mohammed Ali, a computer technician who follows US politics closely. "But after he failed to keep his promises, I stopped."

"They are both losers, and Iraq is the scapegoat," fumes Athir Kadhim, the young owner of a bag store. "We can't judge the promises of this man or that - we can only tell if he kept his word. Bush did nothing."

Faiza Abbas, a young housewife from Sadr City, Baghdad's Shiite slum, has no kind words for Bush. "When you come out of your house, you see Americans. When children go to school, they see Americans," she explodes. "Everywhere a woman wants to go, she has to be searched by American soldiers - can we accept that in Iraq?"

Dulame suspects public opinion is tipping toward Kerry, even among the educated. Their hopes of an interim government of technocrats (read: Democrats) were dashed when a CIA-linked strongman came to power.

Maybe the Fahrenheit 9/11 factor is at work. Michael Moore's translated "Stupid White Men" grins out from most bookstalls in Beirut and Jordan. His books aren't as ubiquitous in Baghdad, but bootleg copies of F9/11 are sold in the souks.

Musa Hussein and Saeed Mia, sitting in a watch-repair shop one afternoon, discuss the movie. "It's a good social satire, " says Mr. Hussein, who is pro-Kerry. "They are criticizing Bush, saying he is the biggest enemy of America."

Mr. Mia, a Bush fan, started to watch the movie. But his electricity cut out after three minutes. "I prefer that George W. Bush would win, because he served the world 100 percent," he says. "And I am the first who will vote for him."

Page: 1 | 2