Will Lebanese Vote Hezbollah to Power?

Update June 8: Hezbolloah defeated.

Others, cynical about politicians, are at the beach (vide0). Lebanon is a beautiful place, that's for sure.
It's Hezbollah, favored by Iran, vs. the Western-backed ruling party:

Wafaa Awad walked out of a polling station in the Hezbollah stronghold of Ghobeiri proud to have cast her vote in Lebanon's parliamentary election on Sunday for the Iran-backed Shiite militant movement.

Christian voters on the other side of town said they voted for the Western-backed ruling majority to preserve Lebanese freedoms and ensure the country does not tilt towards Iran.

"I voted for Hezbollah because they protected Lebanon from Israeli occupation," said Awad, a housewife wearing a veil and a long dark overcoat in keeping with the Islamic dress code.

A few blocks aways, Sabrine Awdeh, a blonde woman wearing jeans and a light summer blouse also said she voted for Hezbollah, "because I want change and the current ruling majority has done nothing in the past four years."

The fiercely contested general election could see an alliance led by Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and Syria, unseat the ruling Western-backed majority which is also supported by regional powerbroker Saudi Arabia. Read more.

Apparently, Christian voters, torn between the two, will be the deciders:

But Christians are the kingmakers of the vote.
Lebanon's Christian neighbourhoods are divided between the two main groups - it is this Christian choice that will sway the vote. BBC

Jimmy Carter says the results of the election should be accepted:

"I don't have any concerns over the conduct of the elections. I have concerns over the acceptance of the results by all the major parties," Mr Carter said at a polling station in Beirut.
"We also hope that the United States and Iran and Saudi Arabia and other countries will also accept the results of the election and not try to interfere in the process," he added. BBC

All the Right People Hated Obama's Speech

David Frum, who came up with the "axis of evil," didn't like the speech. Neither did Liz Cheney or Rush Limbaugh, or Hezbollah or Osama bin Laden. What a motley crew, eh? Too bad for them. Obama's speech spoke to the decent and the rational, not the extremes.

Obama Travels to Israel July 22

On July 22, Obama will meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and other Israeli officials. Obama also is scheduled to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during a trip to Ramallah on July 23.
From the Israel Project, a nonprofit that educates the press and public on Israel: 

With the looming threat of a nuclear Iran, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama plans to travel to Israel and the West Bank on July 22 and 23 as part of a diplomatic trip to the Middle East and Europe. [1]

“The Iranian regime supports violent extremists and challenges us across the region,” Obama said in a speech last month in Washington, D.C. “It pursues a nuclear capability that could spark a dangerous arms race and raise the prospect of a transfer of nuclear know-how to terrorists. Its President denies the Holocaust and threatens to wipe Israel off the map. The danger from Iran is grave; it is real; and my goal will be to eliminate this threat…I will always keep the threat of military action on the table to defend our security and our ally, Israel.” Iran, Obama said, is now enriching uranium and has reportedly stockpiled 150 kilos, or 331 lbs., of low enriched uranium. [2]

While in Israel, Obama is slated to meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and other top Israeli officials. The Democratic presumptive nominee also is scheduled to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during a trip to Ramallah on July 23. [3]

“Israel is a strong and close friend of the United States, and is confronting grave threats from Gaza to Tehran,” said Obama in a statement to the press, referring to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, and to Iran, which funds the terrorist group. [4] Israel voluntarily evacuated all of its roughly 9,000 citizens from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank in 2005 in hopes of paving the way for peace.

Next week’s trip marks Obama’s second visit to Israel. [5] During his first trip in January 2006, Obama traveled to a town near the Lebanese border, where he visited the home of a family that had been hit by a missile fired by Iran-backed Hezbollah. [6] Hezbollah, which receives funding, weapons and training from Iran, started a war against Israel in July 2006 during which it kidnapped and killed Israeli soldiers inside Israel [7] and launched thousands of missiles at northern Israel. [8]

In his June 4 speech in Washington, D.C. Obama said that if he wins the presidency he would work to move the peace process forward. “Israelis understand that real security can only come through lasting peace,” Obama said in his speech. “I will work to help Israel achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state of Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security.” [9]

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