Hamas in Power

Here's a Slate article on the recent elections in the Palestinian election.

Critics dismiss Islamists' talk of democracy as mere window dressing that would be discarded if they ever came to power. Now we shall see: Some commentators worry that Hamas will create a Taliban-like fundamentalist enclave—"Hamastan," as the latest lingo has it—in the West Bank and Gaza and that Iran will step in to finance the Palestinian Authority as funding from the European Union, the United States, and Israel evaporates.

I disagree with the critics.
I like the "pothole theory".

I don't think Hamas can create a Taliban-like enclave. Not with Fatah still in existence.

it is unlikely that most Hamas voters are in tune with the party's fundamentalist religious program, especially in the largely secular West Bank.

No... they may be secular but they know what Hamas is all about.

This is Hamas' opportunity to become relevant. I think they realize this. They are more sophisticated than most will give them credit for. Yes, they were/are terrorist. The Viet Minh and Viet Congs were also terrorist. Now they run the country and exporting a lot of catfish to the good ole US of A.