Shiite Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr Emerges as Kingmaker After Iraq Election

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

58% : The United Nations, which deployed observers to monitor the election throughout the country, said the vote "proceeded smoothly and featured significant technical and procedural improvements."
57% : In a televised victory speech on Monday night, Mr. Sadr played up his core themes of Iraqi independence and political reform, vowing to usher in a new government free from the influence of both the U.S. and Iran.
44% : Mr. Sadr kept a sharper focus on the country's economic crisis during the election campaign, and is regarded as more moderate than some of the Shiite factions that lean toward Iran.
41% : Mr. Sadr, an independent-minded nationalist, faces fierce competition from Shiite political rivals and pro-Iran hard-liners who wish to pull the country into closer orbit around Tehran.
38% : In a surprise setback for Tehran, the Fatah Alliance, broadly aligned with Iran-backed militias demanding the withdrawal of U.S. forces, lost ground in Sunday's vote, weakening its potential negotiating power in talks toward forming a government.

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