'Fast-tracking democracy also means fast-tracking political apathy'

Personally, I think that when and if Iraqis become as apathetic as Americans about elections, we'll know that democracy has truly arrived. In the meantime, they have 327 parties to learn about before tomorrow's vote. That does sound exhausting.

Whoever you talk to says they think voter turnout will be just as good as last time. I do believe that for many Iraqis the fact that this time we are voting for people who are staying in government for four years has sunk in. We've been through three trial runs and this time it's for real. Keep your fingers crossed for us, will you?

Absolutely.