LEBANON VOTES - AT 9:37 A.M. ET:  A critical election is being held in Lebanon today, one that could profoundly influence the future of the Middle East:

BEIRUT (AP) -- Lebanese streamed to their hometowns on the Mediterranean coast and high in the mountains Sunday to vote in a crucial election that could unseat a pro-Western government and install one dominated by the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The race for the 128-member parliament will set Lebanon's political course for the next four years, with repercussions beyond this tiny Arab country's borders. A win for the Shiite militant group, which the United States considers a terrorist organization, and its allies could bring isolation to Lebanon and possibly a new conflict with Israel.

COMMENT:  This is the first test of President Obama's outreach-to-Muslims policy.  Although Lebanon is divided between Christian and Muslim populations, there are divisions within each camp, with some Christians supporting Hezbollah and some Muslims opposing it.  We'll look for signs indicating whether the new Obama policy will convince Lebanese to vote against Hezbollah, listed by Washington as a terrorist group.

Naturally, Jimmah Carter is there to "monitor" the vote.  If his "monitoring" turns out to be as shabby as it's been in other countries, no one will take it seriously.  He can no better monitor an election that serve as president.  And, of course, Carter made his usual insulting comment:

Speaking at a polling station in Beirut's Christian sector of Ashrafieh, Carter expressed hope the U.S., Iran and other countries ''will accept the results of the election and not try to interfere in the process.''

Yup, Iran and the U.S., put on the same level.  We elected this man.  Our shame.

June 7, 2009