Initial accounts of last Tuesday's presidential election contemplated what seemed to be a significant decline in turnout from 2008.
Those include measures that would allow provincial elections, contemplate constitutional changes sought by Sunnis, and spell out rules governing the development and distribution of the country's huge oil reserves.
Businesses, however, express more reluctance to spend and hire as they await election results, contemplate the fiscal cliff and the direction of American tax policy, and see weakness abroad.
EVEN as Suffolk County Republicans nurse the wounds they suffered in last month's election and contemplate how to recover some political ground, much of their attention has been diverted to how to fill one of the few posts that they can still control: county clerk.
Other governments have taken note: Saudi Arabia has tried limited local elections, Egypt is contemplating a mildly contested presidential election and others have been telling Mr Bush of their reform plans.
It would serve as a deterrent to anyone contemplating election fraud.
EHUD BARAK, Israel's prime minister, seriously embarrassed by a report from the state comptroller detailing shenanigans over election financing, is contemplating an appeal to the High Court to proclaim his innocence.
By the 2001 election they were contemplating their National Insurance rise but did not reveal their thoughts during the campaign, although Brown went to considerable lengths to prevent his more fearful colleagues from ruling out such an increase.
Along with contemplating election reform, Weiss says the campaign's other big issues right now are protecting the environment and the legalization of catnip.
But no American president seeking re-election can contemplate putting real pressure on Israel withholding favours at the UN, for instance, or reducing the supply of arms and aid.
