Democratic Baby Steps

It isn't easy being a democrat in Iraq. Consider the plight of Uday Abu Tbikh, an aspiring politician in his mid-30s from the holy city of Najaf. Two months ago, the interim government announced plans to hold a national conference to pick 100 members of a temporary national assembly, which would give some public input to the governing of Iraq before a parliament can be elected next year. Abu Tbikh was determined to participate and make his voice heard. "We believed it would be the solution to getting rid of the U.S. puppet government," he said. But when his local caucus...