War-scarred Baghdad places little faith in U.S. election

By Sebastian Meyer, Special to CNN

Updated 1052 GMT (1852 HKT) October 12, 2012

An Iraqi policeman stands guard at a checkpoint in central Baghdad. It has been 10 months since U.S. combat troops left, but it is far from peace time in Iraq.
Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad
Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – An Iraqi policeman stands guard at a checkpoint in central Baghdad. It has been 10 months since U.S. combat troops left, but it is far from peace time in Iraq.
Hide Caption
1 of 10
The Iraq Body Count project estimates that seven people have been killed every single day by suicide and car bomb attacks this year.
Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad
Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – The Iraq Body Count project estimates that seven people have been killed every single day by suicide and car bomb attacks this year.
Hide Caption
2 of 10
Markets in Baghdad (this one in 2010) are sometimes held in the shadows of blast walls in an effort to prevent suicide car bombings.
Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad
Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – Markets in Baghdad (this one in 2010) are sometimes held in the shadows of blast walls in an effort to prevent suicide car bombings.
Hide Caption
3 of 10
Iraqi women walk past vendors at the Safafir Market in Baghdad on April 4, 2012. Although violence is down in recent years, Meyer says kidnapping and assassinations are part of daily life in the capital.
Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad
Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – Iraqi women walk past vendors at the Safafir Market in Baghdad on April 4, 2012. Although violence is down in recent years, Meyer says kidnapping and assassinations are part of daily life in the capital.
Hide Caption
4 of 10
People enjoy an afternoon at the Al-Shah Bender Cafe, one of the oldest tea shops -- and a legendary gathering place for Iraqi artists and writers -- in Baghdad in 2011.
Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad
Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – People enjoy an afternoon at the Al-Shah Bender Cafe, one of the oldest tea shops -- and a legendary gathering place for Iraqi artists and writers -- in Baghdad in 2011.
Hide Caption
5 of 10
Cars choke traffic-clogged Baghdad streets, which are pinched every few miles by military checkpoints.
Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad
Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – Cars choke traffic-clogged Baghdad streets, which are pinched every few miles by military checkpoints.
Hide Caption
6 of 10
While checkpoints are a daily reminder of the ever-present danger in Baghdad, Meyer says newer, flashier cars on the road are a reminder of a swelling middle class in Baghdad thanks to record oil revenues.
Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad
Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – While checkpoints are a daily reminder of the ever-present danger in Baghdad, Meyer says newer, flashier cars on the road are a reminder of a swelling middle class in Baghdad thanks to record oil revenues.
Hide Caption
7 of 10
Meyer says even with the oil exports, new cars, and imported fashions, basic services in Baghdad are still terrible. On average Baghdadis receive eight to 12 hours of national electricity a day.
Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad
Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – Meyer says even with the oil exports, new cars, and imported fashions, basic services in Baghdad are still terrible. On average Baghdadis receive eight to 12 hours of national electricity a day.
Hide Caption
8 of 10
To those who watch the international Arab language channels such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, Mitt Romney's Republican party remains the party of the deeply unpopular George W. Bush.
Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad
Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – To those who watch the international Arab language channels such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, Mitt Romney's Republican party remains the party of the deeply unpopular George W. Bush.
Hide Caption
9 of 10
Despite the fact Barack Obama has been generally better received around the world than his predecessor, Meyer says some Iraqis don't see much of a difference between Republican and Democratic presidents.
Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad
Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – Despite the fact Barack Obama has been generally better received around the world than his predecessor, Meyer says some Iraqis don't see much of a difference between Republican and Democratic presidents.
Hide Caption
10 of 10

Story highlights

  • U.S. troops withdrew last year, but the violence continues in Baghdad
  • Republican party still seen as the party of George W. Bush by many in Baghdad
  • Many who follow the election see little difference between Democrats, Republicans
Laith repeats my question back to me, chuckling. "What is the Iraqi media saying about the US elections?" He pauses, thinking how best to answer. "Man, the situation is so bad now, we only pay attention to staying alive." He laughs again.
An Iraqi journalist who works for several international news organizations, Lai