As the vote begins, the media spins...

Iraqis Vote on New Constitution - New York Times

Iraqis Vote on Charter Amid High Security - Yahoo! News

Sunni Bombs and Guards Greet Iraq Vote

Fractured Iraq constitution a product of history - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com

I'm left to wonder if many reporters' overly enthusiastic views from the January elections have created a sense of either greater caution or greater cynicism. Unfortunately, their view remains primarily on the short term (a problem US leadership displayed at the beginning of the war...). Steps in the political process that foster greater governmental legitimacy in the eyes of Iraq's citizens are steps toward success - however small. Fred (thanks for the catch, Eric...) Kaplan (in Slate) covers this in what I would call the most realistic of the negative reports currently focusing on the referendum.

As many Iraqis apparently realize, the fact they are being given the opportunity to vote on real issues is as important is the outcome of the vote. As I mentioned above, "selling" the idea that change is most easily (and peacefully) achieved through the political process is what is most important in these votes (whether we refer to the January vote, this referendum, or the next vote to determine a permanent parliament). The idea of voting on real choices can be intoxicating for those who have never before had the opportunity. Presenting this opportunity is a vital step in (re)building civil society within Iraq.

So as reporters try to compensate for overenthusiasm in January and critics point to the 'rising strength' of the insurgency (while failing to note the type of attacks, the number of people required to carry out those attacks, or the amount of ground over which the insurgency can now decisively exert its influence), we need to take a bit of the longer view - much as Zawahiri did in his letter to leaders of Al Qaeda in Iraq.

Update:

Sunnis appear to have shown up in droves - including in locations such as Tikrit.

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iraq
Constitutional Referendum
Middle East