It was a miraculous election

That's a quote from Jeff Jarvis, who has maintained active links with Iraqi bloggers during the lead-up to the election.

The fact of the election is a powerful message to the rest of the Middle East (and they're hearing it); it is a message to those who said that Iraq is not ready for democracy; it is a message to the terrorists and murderers there who would try to stop the democratic inevitability.

But yes, of course, there is a tremendous amount of work to do.

Hell, democracy in America still requires work.