Ads with Ambition: An Examination of Voter Recruitment by Iraqis and Non-Iraqis in Iraq

Class of 2008 Political Science The author examines visual and rhetorical strategies used by Iraqi and non-Iraqi groups in recruiting voters for the January 2005 legislative and presidential elections. Case studies include the USAID, various Shiite clergy groups, and Future Iraq Assembly, which is a non-governmental organization of activists, businesspeople, and academicians. Religious appeals used by Iraqi clergy and interest groups are contrasted to nationalistic appeals used by the United States government. The author asserts that while religious rhetoric was most effective at prompting Iraqis to vote, it did not foster long-term understanding of the democratic process, and in fact heightened sectarian tensions, possibly having a destabilizing effect on the future of Iraq.