Mrcall,
I am no expert on the Spanish election, but my interpretation of the quote that he will not change his postion, indicated that it was long standing and well known.
Anyone who knows can correct me.
Given this stance, his party was still slated to lose. Well, up until the bombing, this is. So given this knowledge we can assume that people emotionally voted for him because of this stance. Hence the accusation that the result was an appeasement.
Even if his decision to withdraw troops came after the election, and was unknown to the voters, it still doesn't change matters in regard to "appeasement". People rejecting the known for the unknown.
As for keeping his promise, that is why you are hearing these "accusations", the US is trying to coerce Spain into keeping with the plan of the coalition. I'm not saying we are right, I am not supporting the invasion of Iraq, I am just reflecting on what the US government is attempting to do with this appeasement to terror stuff.
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