Once again, then, the state was put to a greater burden and could not simply rest on generalized notions of "election integrity". To be sure, "election integrity" is an important state interest.
Mr. Ghannouchi, his own thoughts evolving in exile, became an early proponent of a more inclusive and tolerant Islamism, arguing a generation ago that notions of elections and majority rule were universal and did not contradict Islam.
What's more, the notion of an election under siege, a ballot conducted under the gaze of armed men, also gives these pathetic young men — men so frightened of life that they make a target of little girls — far too much respect.
But for many others, I would say the notion of an election "day" is antiquated, but it is how our country voted two centuries ago.
Among Palestinian politicians themselves, there is suddenly no saying no, in part because Mr. Arafat has himself embraced the notion of new elections and broad political reform (while carefully avoiding specifics).
Most people react positively to the notion of direct elections for the presidency, since that's the way we choose all of our other elected leaders.
But for months, civil rights groups have challenged the very notion of holding an election now.
While we retain a sentimental attachment to the notion of a single election day, more states should move to early voting, as 35 states already have.
The SNP was less supportive of the notion of an early election, but said it would not stand in the way.
The 45-minute news conference offered the spectacle of the American and Russian presidents both pushing back on the notion of Moscow's election interference, with Mr. Putin demanding evidence of something he said had never been proved, and Mr. Trump appearing to agree.
