Egypt: Mubarak comes out smelling of rose-Bush

yahoo/AP: Mubarak Sweeps Contested Race in Egypt

Hosni Mubarak swept Egypt's first contested race for his job, according to preliminary results Thursday, an expected victory in an election praised as progress toward democratic reform despite allegations of fraud.

The election commission - criticized as controlled by Mubarak's government — insisted Wednesday's ballot was a success, though there were widespread reports of irregularities, and voter turnout was perhaps as low as 30 percent. The commission also dismissed calls by the runner-up for a repeat of the vote.

In office for 24 years, Mubarak had been expected to win Wednesday's election by a wide margin. But his government has insisted the important thing was the process, saying the election heralds more reforms in this key U.S. ally, which has seen only autocratic rule for 50 years.

Opponents dismissed the ballot, skeptical that Mubarak will give up his long unquestioned power. Until now, the president has been re-elected in "yes-no" referendums in which he was the only candidate.

Washington, eager for Mubarak to conduct reforms but wary of pressing too hard, showed its approval. Read more

db: Yes he won...what a suprise....but WHAT COLOR is the revolution? We need to know.