Sunday, October 22, 2006

Analysis: Will the release of this verdict focus voters on security issues and impact the election? (please try to limit conspiracy theories!)




A verdict against Saddam Hussein will be announced Nov. 5
Oct 16, 10:39 AM EDT
Brother of Saddam Prosecutor Is Killed
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA Associated Press Writer


BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- The brother of the top prosecutor in the second trial of Saddam Hussein was shot dead in front of his wife at his home in the capital Monday, according to a key official charged insuring no former members of the Saddam regime hold positions of authority.
Imad al-Faroon died immediately after the shooting at his home in west Baghdad, Dr. Ali al-Lami, head of the government De-Baathification Committee, told The Associated Press.
Al-Faroon's brother is chief prosecutor Muqith al-Faroon, who is leading the Saddam prosecution on charges of crimes against humanity in his alleged killing of thousands of Kurds during the Iran-Iraq war.

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, a senior court official said on Monday.

Sentences for those found guilty will be issued the same day, chief investigating judge Raid Juhi told The Associated Press.

The former Iraqi leader could be hanged if convicted. However, he could appeal the sentence to a higher, nine-judge court. His co-defendants include his former deputy, Taha Yassin Ramadan, and his half-brother and former intelligence chief Barzan Ibrahim.

2 comments:

BrandonSh said...

I agree with both. When Saddam is found guilty, death penalty or not, the Republicans are going to get credit for "the war on terror's success". How this is going to impact the elections may still be a mystery though. Even though the credit and possibly approval ratings will likely go to the Conservatives, I'm not sure that it will change voters minds about congressional candidates. It may not have an effect on elections at all, but the Bush administration will probably get a few approving letters... for once.

tonileep said...

I don't think that the release of the verdit will impact the election very much at all. The Repbulicans will gain credit if Saddam Hussein is found guity and then sentenced to death.I agree with Kim that people assume that he will receive a harsh punishment and that he is guilty so the verdict wouldn't really impact elections if people assume that. Also, I don't think security issues will be a concern once the verdict is announced, they are already a concern right now and I don't think the verdict will change that. Also, agreeing with Kim, I don't think it will sway voters either way.