Evening Buzz: Afghan Election Mess
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/30/afghanistan.election/story.karzai.gi.jpg caption= "Afghan President Hamid Karzai has agreed to a runoff election for his seat next week, but it may not happen."]
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
Democracy is rough going in Afghanistan. Talks between Afghan president Hamid Karzai and his election opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, have broken down, a source close to the Afghan leadership told CNN's Christiane Amanpour. The source also said Abdullah is likely to announce this weekend that he will boycott the runoff presidential election on November 7.
The runoff came about after arm-twisting from the U.S. following charges from Abdullah and other that there was massive fraud in the original August 20 vote. At first, results gave Karzai the win, but a review by the U.N.-backed panel of election monitors threw out nearly one-third of Karzai's votes because of "clear and convincing evidence of fraud."
If the runoff is called off, how will it impact Pres. Obama's efforts in the country? We'll have the raw politics tonight.
We're also tracking swine flu across America. The numbers released today from the CDC are not encouraging. The virus caused at lease 19 more children's death. That's the largest one-week increase since the outbreak in April.
The virus is also more widespread than ever before, with 48 states now reporting flu activity. South Carolina and Hawaii are the only states left off the list.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta will join us live with a look at how hospitals are battling the virus and give you the facts to keep you and your children safe.
And my favorite story we're covering tonight is tied to some video we found online at Break.com. Don't miss a basketball shot to remember that happened with help from a baseball bat.
UPDATE: I don't think the basketball video will make it tonight. We're tight on time. CLICK HERE to see it for yourself.
Join us for these stories and much more starting at 10 p.m. ET. See you then!
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Filed under: Maureen Miller • The Buzz |
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Go McChrystal !
Why are we trying to view Afghan elections thru the lens of American politics... do we really think that Abduhllah will be any better? There was no partner when we began this war, why does our mission change now?
Karzai was appointed by George W Bush.if US troops withdrew, Kabul fall immediately like Saigon.Can you have election during America civil war ?
What does Abdullah hope to gain by boycotting the runoff election? If he boycotts it seems to me that he is conceding the win to Karzai automatically. Maybe they do it different in Afghanistan but it sure doesn't make for a stable environment or government for the people there.
Looking forward to the show tonight. The H1N1 facts from Dr. Gupta will be especially welcome.