NYT exhibits flair for irony:
Mr. Bush brushed off suggestions that the results marked a setback to his policy of lessening conflict in the Middle East by promoting democracy. In the last year, Iran has voted in a hard-line Islamic government, Iraq has given religious Shiite parties a dominant place in its new government and Hezbollah and the Muslim Brotherhood have done well in elections in Lebanon and Egypt.
"We're watching liberty spread across the Middle East," he said.
More on the flip.
So hey, they're democratically elected terrorists; that makes all the difference. Asking Abbas to stay in power seems ridiculous, but the ridiculous is sublime with W.
Meanwhile, the Guardian's Ewen MacAskill points out that it's not necessarily a bad thing, that Hamas will have to actually govern. But I wonder if Palestine won't become another full, avant garde client state of Iran. And how will Sharon-less elections in Israel react in March?
I'm no expert on the Middle East, and welcome your educating feedback. I have to say I'm surprised there isn't a recommended diary on this yet.