And the winner is....

...not the Bush administration, at least not the way things look after the Iraqi election. Two slates got some 70% of the votes, and both are closely aligned with Iran. Thus, the new showcase government is not only unlikely to be a shining example of pro-American democracies but is likely to undermine the balance of power previously represented by the competing Iraq and Iran sectors in favor of a united Islamic region. Nice work.

Update: I just love this pithy (if depressing) summary by kos:

The neocon pipedream was an Israel-friendly Iraqi government, something even their Chosen One (Chalabi) refused to promise. Now, instead, we get a marginalized but still powerful Sunni minority enraged at their marginalization, and a ruling majority that have more in common with the Taliban than a secular Democracy.

On to the next conquest...