Raids, violence mark run-up to Iraq polls

PROGRESS?US and Iraqi officials have insisted that the elections go ahead, even as Paul Wolfowitz said US and Iraqi forces cannot stop intimidation by insurgents

AP , BAGHDAD

"There was intimidation in Afghanistan -- the Taliban threatened all kinds of violence against people who registered or people who voted," he said. "But I don't believe they ever got around to shooting election workers in the street or kidnapping the children of political candidates."

An Associated Press poll of Americans indicated 53 percent are not optimistic that a stable government will take hold in Iraq.