The function of an election is to pick leaders peacefully using an organized process, under objective laws, that is accepted by a majority of the people. Voting by the general public is not the only way to do this, but it is the method most likely to reflect the opinions of the population in general.

How many American presidents ever got a majority of all registered voters, never mind a majority of the population of eligible voters?

If Iraq comes up with a Parliament or something that has fifty parties in it, but it works for them, fine. Achieving a consensus will be interesting, but maybe people who think along tribal terms can deal with this.

A few important things to look for in an Iraqi government:

- respect for individual rights. That's a big one, and probably hardest.

- peaceful turnovers. A major milestone will be when the first elected leader is voted out, and he leaves without a fuss.

- no specific ethnic group or other group kept out of the process, unless maybe they advocate or practice violence.

- Equal political rights for women. My theory for democracies in Muslim nations is that if women are allowed to vote and hold office, things will probably work out all right in the long run.