Chester found more evidence to support great expectations of Iraq's first democratic elections and the country's future in what amounts to a broad political coalition calling itself the United Iraqi Alliance:

The alliance includes Iraq's largest Shi'ite parties, a prominent Sunni tribe, and smaller non-Shi'ite groups. It has the blessing of the country's number one Shi'ite leader, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. The alliance could dominate Iraq's national election in January and become Iraq's pre-eminent political force.

...[It] includes groups from Iraq's other communities, the Sunni Arabs and the Kurds, and from Iraq's numerous minorities.

...[Said Sheik Jarbah], "God willing, we hope that they vote in this election, and honestly, that good security conditions are provided, and if it is possible for most of the people, Sunnis and non-Sunnis to participate, the Iraqi people hope from this election to form a national government that could accomplish achievements for the nation."

Unamused by the disparity between this story's importance and its likely value to leftist media, Chester nevertheless sees elections in a similar light as I have. Meanwhile, Greyhawk — a Marine in Iraq — is openly confident, calling Iraq "a conflict that will soon be winding down."