…as was always inevitable. Two points.

1) Welcome to small-d democratic politics, where people play “political games”:

“Humam Hamoudi, a senior official in the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, a powerful member of the Shiite alliance, said the reasons Mr. Muhammadawi and Mr. Yousha gave for their departures were `incredible.’

`I think it’s a political game that those two members are playing with Mr. Allawi,’ Mr. Hamoudi said. `They want to join in a coalition with him so that if he becomes prime minister, they will get some of the ministries.’”

2) While it is heartening that Iraqis are now engaging in the give-and-take of normal politics, this is beginning to go on too long, as prime minister candidate Jaafari acknolwedges:

“At a lunch with Western reporters inside the heavily fortified Green Zone, Dr. Jaafari acknowledged that the absence of a new government was eroding the confidence of the people.

`There is a question mark from the people because they are not sure what is really going on,’ he said. `They have a right that the process should go faster. We think it has been delayed, but we’re hoping it will be resolved within a reasonable time and not be delayed further.’”