NEW : Obama congratulates Iraqis , mourns loss of life , praises overall security level . According to Gates , Gen. Ray Odierno , the top U.S. commander in Iraq , `` had expected a significant number of high-profile attacks , both suicide vests and truck and car bombs , but the security situation , the efforts of the Iraqi Security Forces are such that al Qaeda in Iraq was forced to change their tactics . '' Comment: `` It 's an opportunity we ca n't miss , '' one Iraqi voter says . Militants carry out attacks as Iraqis head to polls ; dozens killed .
NEW : Obama congratulates Iraqis , mourns loss of life , praises overall security level . Comment: `` It 's an opportunity we ca n't miss , '' one Iraqi voter says . Militants carry out attacks as Iraqis head to polls ; dozens killed .