Pacific Views

Can we say 'November Surprise'?

From an AP report, datelined Baghdad:

A verdict against Saddam Hussein and seven co-defendants charged with crimes against humanity in connection with an anti-Shiite crackdown in the 1980s will be announced Nov. 5, chief investigating judge Raid Juhi said Monday. Sentences for those found guilty will be issued the same day, he said.

November 5th? Isn't that just two days before the congressional elections that the GOP is increasingly afraid it's going to lose?

I wonder which strings in the 'independent' Iraqi government had to be pulled to get that date? The Saddam verdict won't be as good as yanking Osama bin Laden out of his cave, but it'll certainly get the attention of the GOP's right-wing base.

Via International Herald Tribune.

Posted by Magpie at October 16, 2006 12:46 PM | Iraq | Technorati links |